Ari Mejia
Producer, Audio & Community Storytelling, Vocalo
Stories by Ari Mejia
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The Rundown: Helene Achanzar says meeting an artist can change a student’s life
Helene Achanzar is the director of programs at the Chicago Poetry Center. She gets to introduce artists to students of all ages.
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The Rundown: Multimedia artist Efren Adkins finds their fire in Chicago
Efran Adkins is both an arts teacher and a part of Chicago’s vibrant and diverse performance art scene.
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The Rundown: A space for artistic expression in the Pilsen community
Chicago artist Teresa Magaña takes inspiration from Chicago sign painters and her Mexican and Chicana roots. As an activist, she provides space for her fellow artists.
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The Rundown: Sulyiman Stokes has had a winding artistic journey
Sulyiman Stokes grew up in Auburn Gresham on Chicago’s South Side, and he fell in love with music at a young age. He’s now branched out to other disciplines.
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The Rundown: Nail artist Gigi Lira wants everyone to feel welcome at her salon
Gigi Lira never imagined she’d make it as a working artist. And now she owns her own nail art salon specifically focused on creating inclusivity.
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The Rundown: Chicago filmmaker amplifies ‘Black and Brown Femme Films’
Vici Howard was disturbed by the lack of opportunities to show off her work, so she started Black & Brown Femme Films to showcase filmmakers in her community.
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The Rundown: Mayadet Patitucci Cruz says organizing and healing go hand-in-hand
Mayadet Patitucci Cruz focuses their work on bringing resources to LGBTQ+ youth around the city.
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Traveling parties are part of a queer Chicago culture of partying as resistance
Starting in the 1980s, Executive Sweet was a traveling party that focused on Black lesbians. Two of its longtime organizers say they aren’t finished yet.
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The Rundown: A Chicago-based doula takes healing into their own hands
Daisy Zamora is a proud Latinx Chicagoan focused on bettering her community. She’s a volunteer doula, who also works to create healing among young people.
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The Rundown: Chicago-based creator Tony Smith molds minds with multimedia art
Multimedia artist Tony Smith uses his experiences to teach students at the Hyde Park Art Center how to have their own voice through art.
