We had the good fortune of connecting with DAME Art Studio Gayle Sanchez and Mia Sanchez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi DAME Art Studio, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
We love to create art to surprise and inspire people around the world. Right now, we feel that it is necessary to raise awareness about women’s rights and roles in the society. The historical events and global problems proved that men were superior to women. Women and their allies took action against violence, discrimination, and other global issues for many years. Looking at ourselves. We are women. But, we are also Deaf and Afro-Latinas. We endure many barriers and challenges in our lives. It is important to understand that powerful women can endure life hardships and blessings at the same time. But, women deserve their rights to be equal as men. There is still more work to do for this change. Art is a universal language. It is our greatest advantage using this talent to make possible changes that we want to make. DAME Art Studio will expand the service to do more work with art. People with different backgrounds are welcome to request art commissions from us. Also, we offer charitable donations; provide art workshops; accept invitations for stage presentations; and more. We are currently seeking wall mural projects and art collaboration projects. It is our vision to demonstrate our work in public and give strong messages to the community about what is happening in the society.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
We feel that our artworks speak its own truth. We do create some artworks showing what we know and what we see happening in this world. We feel more excited to create artwork with bizarre ideas because we do not want to follow traditional art rules. Growing up with multicultural family backgrounds give us more understanding about cultural arts. Traveling around the world give us more knowledge about different art genres. Being deaf give us the stronger sense of vision and create what we imagine by seeing things differently. We decide to set up this small art business together because we want to show others that our disability is a blessing, not a curse.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We would take our best friend to Venice Beach for a full day. It has almost everything. The beach, delicious food, stores, fun activities, boardwalk vendors, and public live performances. You do not get bored there. The next two days, we could drive down to downtown Riverside and visit several places: the Mission Inn, Tio’s Tacos, and take a long hike at the Mount Rubidoux. At night, we can go to one of the popular pubs called ProAbition and dance the night away. To drive further south, we should relax at Glen Ivy Hot Springs for a full day and night. Returning to Los Angeles, we would walk around in West Hollywood and enjoy several hot spots meeting random people. It is mandatory for our best friend to eat a burger with fries at In n’ Out before the week is over.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Oprah Winfrey, Whoopi Goldberg, and Michelle Obama deserve the shoutout as powerful women. DAME Art Studio wants to show authenticity and determination through art and service. We felt inspired by the success stories those three powerful women have earned to be where they are now. It is hopeful for us to meet them and express our deepest gratitude. Being Afro-Latina and Deaf women is a lifelong battle. We learn a valuable lesson about strength from these powerful women. True success comes from being able to work and the love for what we do in our lives.

Website: https://dameartstudio.artspan.com/home
Instagram: dameartstudio
Facebook: DAME Art Studio

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