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

Hi Valeria, other than deciding to work for yourself, what else do you think played a pivotal role in your story?
Get to know myself, my work, my art and embrace what I can bring to the table.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Nothing is easy but when you love what you do, you hardly think about how hard it is. When something touches my heart and wakes up my imagination I can’t stop painting it in my mind, it becomes a constant image that I must give it life to. Thats where the work begins. I want to learn as much as I can about me and my art so I can share it later to others. To share the tools that helped to reach at a certain point on my career, in my life.

recently I saw a quote from Alexander Den Heijer that summarized what I want to keep doing for people: “To inspire people, don’t show them your super power. Show them theirs”

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would take them to a great local place to eat in NYC, to a Museum, to the park and I will organized a carne asada with other friends so she/they/them could meet my tribe here.

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?
My community from The Fitzmaurice Institute, My students at Fordham University, Theaters in NYC that have welcomed me as part of their family, my mentors, my friends, Immigrant Families Together and of course my family.

Website: www.valeriaavina.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valeavina29/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valeria-a-avina-982a795b/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/valeria.avina

Image Credits
Benjamín Manno Fred Benitez George Day

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