Community Artist and Storyteller

LaLa writes to examine the intricate relationships connecting humans to  worlds around + between us. She writes stories, songs, scripts, poems, and curricula. LaLa learned the crafts of poetry and storytelling through her participation in Kuumba Lynx, RadioArte, Young Chicago Authors, and First Wave. She is also a former slam poetry champion (Louder Than A Bomb 2010).

LaLa is a passionate artistic director and collaborator. She has written and produced several large-scale collaborations including SPILL (Line Breaks Hip Hop Theater Festival) , CORE (Chicago Hip Hop Theater Festival), and Welcome Home (Steppenwolf LookOut Series). LaLa is an alumna of the Kuumba Lynx Performance Ensemble and the First Wave Hip Hop & Urban Arts program. 

Drawing, painting, mural making, aluminum carvings, and installation art have all captured LaLa's curiosity in her art practice. She enjoys creating both small works and very large works, indoors and outdoors. LaLa's visual art is influenced heavily by her Chicana identity, her daughter Ollin, and her relationship with her ancestors. LaLa is an alumna of Marwen and Yollocalli Arts Reach.