Building Community Through Arts, Education, Healing, and Revolutionary Joy
*PLEASE NOTE- This site is still under construction, but we invite you to learn a little bit about us.
LIBERATION ARTS COLLECTIVE is a multidisciplinary arts organization.
We believe the arts play a crucial role in the liberation of oneself and community.
We seek to cultivate connection, knowledge, and joy through performance and education for the purpose of positive transformation.
Arlene Chico-Lugo Co-Founder
Arlene is an actor, educator and producer. She believes in the power of stories to transform people and the world and has dedicated her life to the pursuit of stories being told.
As an actor, Arlene has made appearances in film, television, and the stage. Favorite film credits include What it Was (lead)- Amazon. Television credits include Gotham, The Blacklist, Law & Order, and Royal Pains. Favorite theater performances include Native Gardens- Arizona Theatre Company (nominated MAC Award- Best Actress, Comedy); Evensong- Astoria Performing Arts Center (nominated Outstanding Actress in a Leading Role, New York Innovative Theatre Awards); Mourning Sun- Theatre 167.
As part of the Liberation Arts Collective team, Arlene has given workshops on Creative Process, Financial Wellness, and Restorative Artistic Practice.
Arlene produced the 2018 award winning Where You From? What You Be About? Arlene is also the co-producer for the short film Missguidance (post production), about what can happen when US immigration policies force would be asylum seekers into underground economies. For more on that film, visit www.semillitaproductions.com/missguidance
As an educator, Arlene teaches theater & devised work, improvisation, storytelling, and facilitates improved interpersonal communication skills for medical students. She works with community centers to bring the experience of seeing live performance to undeserved communities. And facilitates workshops with a focus on healing and connection.
For more visit www.arlenechicolugo.com
Eric Aviles Co-Founder
Eric is an actor, writer, teaching artist and activist based in NYC. He has performed nationally at El Teatro Campesino, Steppenwolf, Goodman, Teatro Vista, The Magic, INTAR, and others. Many roles he has portrayed examine the Latino experience in the United States. Eric wrote and performed “In the Beginning” about the uprising of the Tainos of Puerto Rico with accompanying music by 7-time Grammy nominee John Santos. Eric is the winner of the 2018 New York Innovative Theater Award for "Outstanding Original Full Length Script" and nominee for "Outstanding Solo Performance" for his solo play Where You From? What You Be About? Eric has over 15 years of teaching artist experience working with youth and adults in schools, community centers, and prisons, for such organizations as the Theatre Development Fund (TDF) DreamYard, Ping Chong + Company, CUNY Creative Arts Team, and more. He has led professional development training for other artists and educators. Eric is a practitioner of the Healing Arts as he infuses meditation, yoga, and other rituals to create a brave space for ensemble work. His goal is to combine his extensive experience as a performer and writer with activism and community healing. For more visit www.ericaviles.com
