Meet Peter Lechuga Lechuga | Spoken Word Artist & Teaching Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Peter Lechuga Lechuga and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Peter Lechuga, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
Right now, more than ever, community is necessary. We need to cultivate our communities and share knowledge we gather as individuals to keep us informed and protected. Community what keeps us tethered, it provides power in our numbers, and when nurtured will grow into something beautiful. As a spoken word artist and teaching artist, I help to build community through writing and the sharing of our stories and experiences, which strengthen us. In my poetry I touch issues that plague our community and I provide outlets for others to share their voices. I pursued an artistic career to express that we all have stories to share and that right now the world needs to hear them.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have always loved stories, writing, and poetry. I have written for as long as I can remember. I was published in Children’s anthologies when I was a 7 and it only further helped to fuel my passion for the art form. I performed at various mics and events about 10 years ago, but life got in the way. My writing decreased to a minimum and my desire to perform became non-existent. In 2023, I was finally convinced to perform again, by my partner, and from this point it became non-stop, and continues to be so, and I found opportunity after opportunity to perform and grow within this community. I became the director of the non-profit, LionLike Creative Education, which shares the art of poetry and writing to students in middle school and high schools in different districts in Southern California. My first poetry collection, Myth Opportunities, published by Daxson Publishing released this January. Also, I co-founded and edited the brand new literary journal, ILL Poetry Anthology, whose first volume is releasing this month providing opportunity for 33 poets to be published. My goal as an artist is to provide the opportunity for marginalized voices to have their opportunity to share their stories.

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?
One place I would have them visit would be the Lopez Urban Farm in Pomona, CA. Have them experience the beauty of this community farm which provides incredible events, inspiring workshops, and food for the people of its city. At the farm, we will participate in the Obsidian Tongues writing workshop with some of the most humble and real writers you’ll meet. And check out a dope open mic also hosted by Ceasar K. Avelar.

I would take them to Borreguitas, the best Vegan Mexican restaurant in Southern California (I will defend this statement with all my being). This women-owned business is the most authentic Mexican food I have ever experienced. While here, order yourself a Moni Burrito and an Cafe de Olla and you will be in heaven.

Then we’ll head to Long Beach and browse the politically charged collection of one of the most important bookstores in Southern California, Page Against the Machine.

Then we can hit up No Pulp Poetry Club’s Open Mic for a wild night of poetry and coffee and beer. The 2nd round goes crazy and unhinged usually. Definitely worth checking out.

On Sunday, we will grab food and drinks at Smorgasburg for some of the best food in L.A.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to shoutout my partner and talented artist, Jannette Alejandra Lopez. I was fortunate to have her beautiful art grace the cover and pages of my book. I am endlessly grateful for her support and what I do would not be possible without her. Next I want to shoutout my homies in LionLike Mindstate, Judah1 and Ces1. This art collective does a lot for its community and has helped to establish Pomona as a city known for poetry.

I have to shoutout, Obsidian Tongues Open Mic & Writing Workshop in Pomona, CA, hosted by Ceasar K. Avelar, for providing opportunity for the many to share their stories. And for creating a community of writers and activists right in Lopez Urban Farm. The farm deserves a shoutout for providing food for its city and the knowledge to be self-sustainable. It creates a safe space for anyone whe seeks it.

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