Creating a life centered in art: Insights from ASU’s "Creating the Art Life" event

The Sidney Poitier New American Film School, in collaboration with the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center, hosted a dynamic panel discussion titled "Creating the Art Life: Inspiring the Next Generation of Artists" in downtown Los Angeles on Sept. 11. The event brought together a diverse group of career artists to explore a profound question: How does one create a sustainable, rewarding life centered in art?

The evening was a source of inspiration for emerging artists seeking to forge their own paths in the creative world.

“I was really just wondering how I could stand on a stage next to some really successful and creative people I have looked up to,” shared Lulu Ruiz, a recent Poitier Film School grad with a passion for punk music and a burgeoning career in film. Ruiz moderated the night’s conversation. “But I got a lot out of the event. I'm eternally grateful the film school asked me to do this and also to all of the talented people on the panel that I got to talk to. As a creative and aspiring filmmaker, I was incredibly moved and I got emotional while they were speaking because of how they grew to be such powerful people. Very insightful and inspiring panel.”

The panel featured an impressive lineup of speakers who have successfully navigated the complexities of a life in art.

Peter Murrieta, deputy director of The Poitier Film School and multiple Emmy Award-winning writer and producer known for hit series like Netflix’s “Mr. Iglesias” and Disney’s “Wizards of Waverly Place,” opened the conversation by reflecting on the importance of resilience and adaptability in the ever-changing landscape of the entertainment industry.

“Part of my mission as an educator is to help empower people from underserved communities to get in front of and behind the camera, to tell the stories that matter to them and their communities,” said Murrieta. “Part of that work is making them believe it’s not only possible but deserved. Hearing from a panel of successful Latino artists talk about their art and the opportunities they’re working to create in the industry is so impactful.”

Murrieta, who was recently honored in the Imagen Foundation’s 2024 class of Influential Latinos in Media, brought together an all-star panel of Latino creative professionals for an evening of inspirational conversation that made a big impact on students in the room looking to build a sustainable career centered in the arts.

Joining Murrieta were Alex Rivera and Cristina Ibarra, MacArthur “Genius Grant” fellows and founders of ASU’s Borderlands Studios. The duo shared insights from their extensive filmmaking careers, emphasizing the importance of storytelling that challenges boundaries and amplifies underrepresented voices.

Lalo Alcaraz, ASU California Center’s artist-in-residence and a Chicano cartoonist, writer and producer known for his work as a cultural consultant on Pixar’s Academy Award-winning animated film “Coco,” brought humor and depth to the discussion. He spoke about the challenges and rewards of creating art that is both culturally specific and universally resonant.

Aurora Guerrero, a director known for her work on “Greenleaf,” “The Red Line,” “Little America” and “13 Reasons Why,” shared her journey as a filmmaker who has broken barriers and created compelling narratives that resonate with diverse audiences.

Carlos Aguilar, a journalist, film critic, podcast host and member of the Los Angeles Film Critics Association (LAFCA), rounded out the panel by discussing the importance of criticism and analysis in the arts.

The event offered attendees a rare glimpse into the minds of successful artists who have not only survived but thrived in their creative careers. For many, the insights shared by the panelists were not just inspiring, but transformative, providing a roadmap for how to build a life that is both artistically fulfilling and financially sustainable.

Murrieta celebrated this first collaboration with the JACCC, a vital part of the LA arts community. “We are excited to continue working with the JACCC to use arts and culture to engage with the diverse community of downtown Los Angeles through inclusive programs that inspire the next generation of artists,” Murrieta said.

“I’m so lucky to have gotten a tour of the JACCC,” added Ruiz. “The building is full of beautiful, kind people who care so much about what it stands for and the history surrounding their culture. I’m honored to have been a part of all of it.”

As The Poitier Film School continues to expand its programs in Los Angeles, including the introduction of first-year students in film and media production, events like "Creating the Art Life" demonstrate ASU’s commitment to fostering the next generation of artists. By providing platforms for mentorship, education and creative exploration, ASU ensures that its students are not only equipped to enter the creative industries but to lead them.

For more stories on The Sidney Poitier New American Film School, visit film.asu.edu/news.