Growing up in Puerto Rico and New York City, Michelle Ponce was surrounded by the influence of multiple cultures as she began to express herself through her artwork.
Ponce explored art throughout her childhood — first deciding she wanted to become an artist while in high school — but it was not until she came to downtown Phoenix 12 years ago that she found her place in the community as an artist.
“I started going to First Friday, back when it was really dark and there were just a bunch of fire dancers down here,” Ponce said. “It was really raw, but it was the only thing that really reminded me of New York in terms of feeling like there’s really a community around you.”
Ponce is currently involved in several projects in Phoenix, including painting, performance art, poetry and a healthy lifestyle catering company.
“It’s a very special place where you can grow as an artist and grow as a business owner or an entrepreneur,” she said. “It feels really good to grow in a community.”
Ponce also co-owns 1Spot Gallery near Roosevelt and Sixth streets, and is currently working on a February release with Mujeres Del Sol art collective that will focus on cross-cultural women’s art.
The Feb. 1 show’s theme is transformation and will feature drumming, dancing, singing and paintings, including a solo exhibit by Ponce.
Ponce works with Mary Stephens, owner of Phoenix Youth Hostel and Cultural Center, on events such as Performance in the Borderlands. She also teaches classes on women’s empowerment.
“She really brings something very different than a lot of performers in Phoenix,” Stephens said of Ponce. “Her commitment to work that features women of color is groundbreaking here in the city.”
Ponce said she tries to bring a multicultural aspect to every one of her projects.
“Personally, because I’m of a different culture, I want to see different cultures,” Ponce said. “The benefits of having a multicultural community (are) enormous.”
Ponce and co-owner Damian Jim opened 1Spot Gallery as an outlet for Native American artists to display their work. The gallery’s name came from the fact that Native American artists knew there was “this one spot” in Phoenix they could display their work.
Ponce first worked downtown at a collective called Conspire. She and some friends later opened a collective on Grand Avenue called In The Arthouse a year before Ponce started 1Spot.
“(Ponce is) a visionary — she steps out, she takes risks,” Stephens said. “I personally think she’s one of the most important cultural leaders in Phoenix today.”
Ponce said one of her proudest moments was coordinating an intertribal art exhibit at the Navajo Nation Museum during her two years with Public Allies. That was the first time the museum showcased all female, contemporary artists, Ponce said.
Ponce said she found it rewarding to be able to help women take their art outside of the home for the first time.
Bringing different cultures together in collections of art has been a focus in Ponce’s life in the past few years, but she continues to create her own artwork as well.
During a movie poster spoof show at 1Spot, Ponce made a print that read “Return to the Womb,” spoofing a “Star Wars” movie poster.
“I actually sold a framed version of it that night. It felt really good,” Ponce said. “It just feels really good to be supported and to have people actually buy your work, and buy it because they love it.”
Ponce said one of the biggest struggles of being an artist in downtown Phoenix is that it can become too comfortable.
“It’s a lot easier here,” she said. “That’s really great, but at the same time, sometimes it’s too easy.”
One of Ponce’s next big projects is stepping outside the realm of women’s art collectives and 1Spot to bring more of her native culture to Phoenix.
Ponce and musician Ali Salcedo are collaborating to put on a Caribbean culture festival downtown. They hope to bring in musicians from places such as Puerto Rico and Cuba to play.
“(Ponce) knows the value of teaching others about her own culture,” Salcedo said. “When she’s involved in a project, she gives 100 percent both physically and mentally.”
Ponce said that bringing life to the community is the most important role an artist has, and it keeps her inspired to see the impact that artists have on the community around them.
“The most rewarding part of being an artist is that the role we have in a community is so important,” Ponce said. “You are providing a service to your community that is beyond words and that is beyond value.”
Contact the reporter at cacoope6@asu.edu
