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by Alexander Williams
  July 28, 2020

For , hip-hop, art and community are inherently connected movements.

Silva is a painter, muralist and performer who uses his art to tell powerful stories, build community and inspire youth through art. He co-directs the , a nonprofit adult dance company, and serves on the board. In addition to his community work, he also oversees an art studio space that contributes to the revitalization of Downtown Greeley.
 
Silva was born in Sombrerete, Zacatecas, Mexico. At age 5, his family moved to Northern babyֱ��app to pursue the American Dream, and he submerged himself into visual and performing arts as a way to communicate and find his identity as an ESL student.

“I keep trying to listen, to be attentive and to see how I can serve rather than becoming a paragon,” Silva said. “I see people’s experiences as the foundation of building equity.”
 
Silva received the Governor's Creative Leadership award from  in 2018 and has worked with such organizations as the Denver Broncos, Salida del Sol Bilingual Academy, and other local babyֱ��app businesses, organizations and schools. He stressed the importance of understanding hip-hop, art and community as an intersection of personal and cultural identity. “From the production of beats and music to the release of content, hip-hop relates to the oppressed people’s experience. Marginalized people are able to find strength through it,” Silva said.

Below, Silva talks about his approach to community-engaged scholarship and the role of hip-hop in his art, from his family’s humble beginnings in northern babyֱ��app to his pedagogical approach to art. He also shares how his path as an artist shapes his goals, creative approach, and disciplinary knowledge.  

How do you view inclusivity/approach and equity in your community-engaged work? How do you avoid the savior complex?

I’m still insecure about exuding the savior complex. With great power comes great responsibility. I just keep asking questions. I keep trying to listen, to be attentive and to see how I can serve rather than becoming a paragon. I see people’s experiences as the foundation of building equity.

How do you get feedback from the community about how your initiative or program creates social change?

For my art and community work, I get feedback on the actual art itself and the product I create because it is visual art rather than a project that relies on data and numerical figures to measure success. The feedback I get is entirely dependent upon the product I create. Because my product is a visual art, feedback is easily and readily given. 

Describe an unexpected experience or incident you encountered in your community engagement work. How did you respond?

I was painting during a live painting event and had a situation where my playlist malfunctioned during the event. It took a while to fix the problem, and while I couldn’t take back the time that was wasted, it served as a learning experience: I used the errors to change my process and to make sure I am more prepared. In these types of experiences, I own up to the mistake and offer to make it right. The wrong has to be held by you.   

What has been your approach in branding yourself as an artist and a community activist? 

I’ve been focusing on developing my skills and talent to serve others and figuring out how my message and voice can be complemented with more community work. I can then use this community work as inspiration to develop my own message.

What kind of business strategies do you employ as you seek to grow as an artist and community member?

It’s all about marketing and knowing the babyֱ��app climate of the community. I’m trying to feed people things that they need to be fed, instead of saturating the market. I’m trying to offer them a need not offered by anyone else. The art has to be good. The work has to be able to speak for itself.

How do you maintain the time to keep up with all of your levels of artistry?

Stick to your learning style. If you’re a visual learner, find resources to cement and compliment that learning style. I listen; either through podcasts, lectures, just finding small moments to learn things.

Given the specific cultural moment we’re in, are you working on something that’s in conversation with the current state of affairs?

I try to ask the question of whether or not that is needed. If it’s needed, then I’ll do it but I would rather listen and process what is going on. I don’t want to feel like I’m taking advantage of the situation.  

What is hip-hop to you? What artists do you like and put your work in conversation with?

Hip-hop is the voice of revolution. It is the common space for everyone to access. It’s a safe space where everyone is allowed. Think of it in these terms: everyone has Grandma’s soup. From the production of beats and music to the release of content, hip-hop relates to the oppressed people’s experience. Marginalized people are able to find strength through it. You gotta always continue to prove yourself. I like Andre 3000, Childish Gambino, Drake, Kanye, Tupac, Chance the Rapper…I like what makes my body move.