Hidden Gems: Meet Michelle Ivette Ponce of Sana Pueblo Consulting

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Ivette Ponce.

Hi Michelle, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I got started in a town in Puerto Rico and also in Manhattan, NYC. Growing up with the legacy of Boricua activists like my mother in New York City and the rich beauty of the Caribbean greatly informed my understanding of beauty and struggle. I became a visual artist and made music. Moving to the valley 20 years ago I continued to explore my Afro-Caribbean upbringing and what community in the arts meant. Who can have access to the arts? What does communal celebration look like? And how does an artist become an integral part of the culture of the city? The foundation of artists’ collectives, a contemporary indigenous art gallery, and a collective of women and girls in the arts were part of my labor of love, and the history that tethers me to Phoenix.

Through these projects, partnerships with institutions, and incorporating both young and established artists of all backgrounds, I got to find some answers to those questions. Once I became a mother, I also delved into birth justice work. Now I run an arts management consultant company and serve as Deputy Director of a reproductive justice organization. Gathering the learnings and growth of my time as an Afro-Puertorican artist and organizer in Phoenix, I get to leverage my unique perspective and experience to bring strength and resiliency to the artist-of-color community in this city, and I am proud to do so.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The struggles along the way were a part of being a fish out of the water, of moving from NYC where my culture was plentiful and my people were seen and better understood, to a place where I wasn’t represented at all. I had to adapt to a completely different way of life and find alliances in other cultural worlds than my own, which became a huge blessing. The struggle of making enough financial sustenance from art and community building was also challenging, but in other artists and creatives, I found reprieve from those struggles. And bias, racism, and ignorance played a role in creating more bumps in the role for my journey here in Phoenix.

In order to survive and thrive, I created a niche of like-minded folks to work and grow with, much like the robust Mexican immigrant community here that continues to exist in parallel but separate worlds from the white American southwest culture of Arizona. And finally, the biggest struggle was navigating domestic abuse, which made me make my way and fostered resiliency and healing, and fortified me as a woman and now as a single parent.

As you know, we’re big fans of Sana Pueblo Consulting, LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Sana Pueblo Consulting, LLC started as an arts management consulting firm that focuses on fostering a connection and support for public and private programs with community-based artists and organizations. The goal here is to empower artists and communities towards healthy and sustainable relationships and growth with larger institutions. We foster growth and resilience in working artists while advocating for shifts in policies and procedures on an institutional level to open access to artists and the community.

Specializing in communities and artists of color, we know the arts have a cultural and historical value that exists and thrives beyond the world of high-end art galleries and museums. The arts are a part of humanity for all, and it’s time we pour into humanity by fortifying the artists in our communities today. I’m here to make that happen.

We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up.
I loved playing on a sunny hill in my small town in Puerto Rico and looking at the blades of grass, daydreaming, and humming along in the sunlight.

I was alone at that moment, but so very much in good company within nature. I felt curious, in awe, grounded, and in my element. Playing with plants in the sun was freedom and joy, and is where I hope to get to again.

Contact Info:

• Website: Sanapueblo.com