Multimedia Hero, Lutra Kaufman-Hall

I am a multimedia artist. I work with fiber, collage, animation, music, music production, painting, drawing, sewing, and sculpture. When I was a little girl, I'm told that I turned to my parents and defiantly told them, " I am an artist!" It's just what I was meant to do.

I believe that myself, as an artist, and the art I have created to be heroic; I have made many sacrifices for my art, because I believe it to hold incredible value to me as a person and my audience. In turn, art-making has healed me in all of the difficult times in my life. Sometimes when I make art, I end up crying. Sometimes I feel like the smartest genius in the world. Despite the vast array of feelings that art can bring out in me, art is always real and special, when so many things can feel superficial or out-of-control. My art is a tool, a superpower, a visual and audial manifestation of myself. 

With the Next Hero Up grant, I am creating an art installation with elements of animated film and sculpture. In the film, I explore themes of mental health, fragility, and finding beauty wherever you may be. 

The grant money has given me access to cameras, lighting, and other tools that have made the animation process run as smoothly and efficiently as possible. As a beginner-animator, these tools were immensely helpful in making the process accessible to my current skill-level, and, while I have gained many skills in film-making throughout the process, having ease of access with the tools allows me to make art in the spur-of-the-moment. As a part of the grant, I also have access to highly knowledgeable artists and filmmakers who are always there to help, listen, and offer encouragement. My meetings with my mentors have been invaluable in solidifying ideas and building confidence in my voice as a person and an artist.

The grant will support me in hosting a celebratory opening night at a Seattle location of youth performances, delicious food, and a viewing of my installation. I feel so proud and beyond grateful to have been a part of the first cohort of Next Hero Up grant recipients!