Project CREA is a mentorship, arts entrepreneurship initiative for Toronto-based youth* creatives who identify as Latine / Latinx.
This project was designed by the Creato community FOR the Creato community, with the goal of amplifying the unique voices of Latinx creatives in Toronto. Mentees will learn practical skills on how to circulate, support and maintain their arts-practice through the development of a personal creative project under the invaluable mentorship of 5 professional Latinx creative mentors. Project Crea will culminate in a special community showcase of the mentees final piece/ work.
The ultimate goal of Project Crea is to support emerging youth artists to feel more confident in expressing their creative voice and more prepared as they navigate the arts and cultural sector in Canada.
*Artreach defines youth artists and creatives to anyone 29 and under.
meet the mentors
Fidel Peña
Creative Director & Co-Founder of Underline Studio
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Fidel (he/him) is a creative director and co-founder of Underline Studio. His projects at Underline have included identity and branding for the University of Toronto, the Robert McLaughlin Gallery, Harvard Medical School and campaigns and publications for Google, UNHCR The UN Refugee Agency and Audi. Fidel’s work has received numerous accolades from across Canada, the US and Europe, including from Communication Arts, the Type Directors Club, Laus, Latin American Design Awards, and D&AD, and he has lectured on design topics in Spain, Mexico and Canada. He was born in El Salvador, and is a former president of the Advertising and Design Club of Canada.
Ale Macouzet
Illustrator
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Alejandra Macouzet (she/her) is a Mexican artist and illustrator. She studied Fine Arts at Guanajuato University, where she was able to develop her techniques in painting and drawing, and discovered new interests like printmaking and digital drawing. During her studies, the artist had the opportunity to do two student exchanges in Southern Oregon University (USA) and Saint Francis Xavier University (CAN). Her work has received several accolades and she’s had the opportunity to participate in group and solo art shows in Mexico, Canada and the US. Alejandra’s work has appeared in everything from brand collaborations and murals, to illustrated children’s books. The artist has also worked as an art teacher in Mexico, and currently offers virtual classes for all levels and different techniques. Alejandra lives in Toronto, where her main focus is editorial illustration. The artist also hosts a podcast where she talks about the illustration world and how it is to work as a freelance illustrator.
Sofí Gudiño
Dance artist and founder of Inamorata Dance Collective
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Sofí Gudiño (they/she) is a dance artist and founder of Inamorata Dance Collective. Raised in flamenco and established in contemporary dance, Sofí’s work is marked by emotional intensity and choreographic risk. Inamorata’s creative focus is on the expansion of flamenco through omitting expectations of the form by classical Spanish traditions. They are exploring strong choreographic and musical risk that are influenced by contemporary, Latinx and queer arts. In Spain, Gudiño has studied flamenco with Úrsula López, Alicia Márquez, Pastora Galván and Ramón Martínez. As a choreographer, Gudiño has enjoyed residencies at The Toronto Dance Theatre, The Chimera Project Company B Lab, and Dancemakers. Choreographic premieres include Nuit Blanche, Pride, New Blue Dance Festival, and with their award nominated piece, Picaza, in Toronto Fringe.
Luis Mora
Artists & Photographer
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Luis Mora (he/him) is an artist and commercial photographer based in Toronto, Canada. He was born in Colombia and raised in the United States and Canada. He studied Applied Photography at Sheridan College. His commercial work is represented by KZM Agency. He recently self-published his first photo book “SayItWithFlowers” and had his first Canadian solo exhibition at Contact Gallery by the same name.
Camila Salcedo
Interdisciplinary Artist
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Camila Salcedo (she/they) is an interdisciplinary artist currently based in Toronto who works in many mediums including: textiles, video, jewellery, DJing and more. She uses memory as a methodology for reshaping the past, enacting through the present, and creating new futures. Through do-it-yourself patchworks, she attempts to weave together her view of the world, while questioning systems, authorities and institutions that were created to define us such as gender, identity and nations. She is also an independent curator, a community organizer, and an arts educator with experience in arts administration, programming, workshop-leading, event planning and grant writing for various galleries, artist-run centres and her independent practice. She is the co-founder of Colectivo Satelital, a collective of 6 Venezuelan-born interdisciplinary artists working to create digital platforms for emerging artists.
apply to be a mentee
Mentee Applications for Project Crea are now OPEN! There are 8 spots available.
To apply you must:
Be between 18 and 29 years old
Identify as Latinx / Latine
Be Toronto-based
Be an artist, cultural worker, student or work in a creative field
The program will run via zoom every Thursday from September 9th to October 28th (6pm - 7:30pm ET) for a total of 8 sessions in addition to a final weekend showcase on October 23-24.
Mentees who complete Project Crea and attend the agreed sessions will also receive a $120 honorarium and a certificate of completion.
Complete the application form linked below if you are interested in participating. The deadline to apply is Wed. August 11th, 2021 4pm EST
applications are now closed
Funding for the project has been provided by the City of Toronto through
