18 Apr Denim Day and SAAM Artist Talk with Marcela Toro and Michelle Urena (Ep. 3)
EPISODE SUMMARY
New York City Based Mixed Media Artists Marcela Toro and Michelle Urena share a candid discussion with the Beauty for Freedom Breaking Distance Team about creativity and inspiration, surviving as artists in New York and standing by your personal mission statements, surviving domestic and sexual violence and advocacy for Denim Day and Sexual Assault Awareness Month. This talented duo has teamed up with BFF on a very special project supporting survivors of sex trafficking and labor trafficking with their artwork which will launch in the coming weeks!
EPISODE NOTES
More About Michelle Urena
Michelle Urena is a New York City-based artist. Focusing on mixed media including oils, acrylics, Goya labels, etc. Through these mediums, I showcase my childhood experiences, heritage and highlight my current life journey. I am interested in creating a space for my thoughts, secrets, and opinions – and having an audience that not only can relate to the artwork but heal through it. “ I want the definitive message of my artwork to be the voice to the voiceless. “
More About Marcela Toro
Marcela Toro is a Mexican born, New York based artist & designer. Marcela focuses on empowering other artists from all walks of life through her work, delivering a message of togetherness, fearlessness and tapping into your inner beauty to free your mind.
Marcela is a multidisciplinary artist, she looks at art, design and fashion as a whole. She has her own brand of customized clothing and accessories as well as print collectibles.
About Denim Day
TAKE A STAND AGAINST SEXUAL ASSAULT & VIOLENCE
Denim Day NYC is a coalition of community agencies, elected officials, students, and volunteers united to promote awareness around the issue of sexual assault. Denim Day grew out of a case in which a rape conviction was overturned because the judge reasoned the victim’s tight jeans meant that she had to have helped her assailant remove them, implying consent. People were outraged all over the world and wearing jeans became an international symbol of protest against erroneous and destructive attitudes and myths surrounding sexual assault. Denim Day NYC started in 2010 with a collaborative of three agencies and has grown to more than 40 agencies uniting to promote awareness around the issue of sexual assault.
Beauty for Freedom is a dedicated partner organization and has been a part of the Denim Day NYC coalition for 5 consecutive years producing a series of teaching and mentoring programs for high school and college youth creating campaigns donated to the cause each year.