Vivian Azalia, Community Organizer + Teacher + Jeweler + Photographer
Vivian Azalia
Find her at: @ayovippieee @colorsofazalia
What moment has defined your journey the most?
In 2013 I was able to experience a rebirth. My best friend Israel " Reefa" Hernandez was killed by a police officer for doing graffiti. I'm 28 years old and it's felt like I've lived many lives since that moment; that moment shattered me but also gave me strength, showed me what I'm capable of, I found a political home (Dream Defenders), and it has lead me to grow as an individual and evaluate how I live my life ex. as an educator, friend, daughter, organizer, lover.
What drives you?
My students and the youth I've worked with for the past 9 years fill me with the passion and energy to continuously be creating a world that is worthy of them. The hopefulness in their ideas and minds has pushed me to question how my own upbringing has shaped me and how I as an individual can best help shape confident version of themselves. Youth are pure, endlessly creative, and honestly whenever I'm sharing space with them it feels as if my favorite song is playing on a loop.
How are you paving the way for people in your community to succeed? Or opening doors that were once closed?
On a education perspective I've created "Colors of the City" an art residency for youth to explore their creative abilities while incorporating financial literacy, healthy habits, and co creating solutions on how we interact with the environment. In addition within my work with Dream Defenders I am leading the Healing and Justice center which is being created as resource for: mental health, life skills like CPR training's and managing a gun wound, artistic healing spaces, and legal services for the community. Both components are attempting at eliminating all the barriers people would usually have to become the best versions of themselves ex. money, transportation, mental health, education, skill share, and story telling.
Most meaningful project to date?
Colors of Azalia my solo show in 2019 was such an emotional process, the date landed on the 16th anniversary since my father passing and the purpose of the show was to raise funds for my youth to have programming over the summer. I exhibited 10 years work in four different forms: photography, jewelry, pottery, lipstick. 2021 update I’ve opened up a store in hopes to create space for myself artistically and for the community.
“Create the energy you need to feel whole”
