Smooth Brew Coffee, where one of Smooth Brew Coffee’s employees hosted her first art show on Saturday titled yOURWORLD.
The show included multiple forms of art, including resin and live painting. Each part of the shop featured a different artist’s work, which allowed attendees to take a peek into each artist’s unique style.
For show host and Smooth Brew employee Juliette Valencia, the show meant much more to her than just another chance to show off art. Valencia participated in plenty of shows herself, and she felt that putting on the show was her chance to promote other artists’ work.
“I’m thankful that I work here. It’s really hard to find a space that works well for shows. It’s just me taking advantage of my resources,” Valencia said.
Local rap musician Teddy Oso, who performed at the show, said participating in the Phoenix arts community is one of his favorite activities.
“I’ve been very fortunate. I’m just hanging out with cool people, and they’ve been welcoming me,” Oso said.
Oso recently released a new album, “Kobra Blue,” which he described as a combination of two styles: 1980s synthesizer and Kanye West.
For other artists, their work means much more than just a way to express creativity. Painter Deja Sadler uses art to help her overcome her social anxiety.
“Whenever people ask me questions about the art, it’s easier for me to process the information that comes,” Sadler said.
She began painting when she was only four years old with a tight plastic easel and copy paper. While she was originally self-taught, she took advantage of art classes to help her improve her skills.
“I just learned different types of skills that would help me create more of what I had in my mind. It really helped me to bring it to the canvas,” she said.
Sadler has experience with multiple arts shows; this was her fifth one. She said participating in the shows helps her continue to grow as an artist.
Show participant Seleste Martinez began as an acrylic painter, but once she came across resin pieces, she decided to grow her form in an abstract direction.
“I don’t really know how I came across it. I just saw it and realized it looked a lot like my paintings, and it took off from there,” Martinez said.
She creates different items, including coasters, ashtrays, butterfly clips and even coffins, putting a colorful twist on each item. She sometimes even throws in the occasional butterfly or drop of glitter, adding a little bit of sparkle.
While Martinez looked forward to participating in the show, she never anticipated getting to where she is now.
“I didn’t expect any of it. I just started making them for my friends, and then I had a couple people ask me to be in shows,” she said.
Contact the reporter at amontini@asu.edu.
