Marisela Vallejos Félix: A Rising Voice in Artistic Advocacy and Social Transformation

In a world where creativity converges with purpose, Marisela Vallejos Félix stands out as a dynamic force—artist, activist, and catalyst for change. Her multidisciplinary work bridges cultural expression and social justice, making her a pivotal figure in contemporary discourse on identity, inclusion, and creative empowerment. With a career rooted in authenticity and purpose, Vallejos Félix continues to redefine how art can inspire societal transformation.

Born and raised in a culturally rich community, Marisela Vallejos Félix developed early an acute awareness of silence and erasure—experiences that would shape her artistic mission. “Art is not just decoration,” she often asserts. “It’s a mirror, a weapon, and a bridge all at once.” This philosophy underpins her approach, blending vivid visual storytelling with outspoken advocacy.

She rejects passive observation, instead using her craft to amplify marginalized voices and challenge systemic inequities.

Her work spans painting, multimedia installations, and community-led creative projects, often created in direct collaboration with underrepresented groups.

Vallejos Félix’s contributions extend beyond aesthetics; they are grounded in a deep commitment to cultural preservation and youth empowerment. She believes art’s true power lies in its ability to heal and unite—a belief reflected in her founder role of Proyecto Onde: a nonprofit dedicated to elevating Indigenous and Afro-descendant artists through workshops, exhibitions, and educational outreach. “When communities create together, something transformative happens—in visibility, dignity, and collective strength,” she explains.

The acclaimed artist has participated in major international platforms, including the Havana Biennial, the Mexico City Digital Art Festival, and the Global Creativity Summit, where she presented on integrating art into public policy for social change. “Silence benefits no one,” she cautioned at a 2023 panel, “but when stories are shared, justice follows.”

Techniques and Themes: A Fusion of Tradition and Innovation

In Vallejos Félix’s exhibitions, traditional craftsmanship meets cutting-edge technology. Using locally sourced materials—natural pigments, woven textiles, and reclaimed wood—she fuses ancestral symbolisms with augmented reality and interactive installations.

This layered approach invites viewers not only to observe but to listen and engage, bridging generations and identities. Her “Whispers of the Andes” series, exhibited in Bogotá and Barcelona, recreated ancestral Andean rituals through digital projections layered over handwoven tapestries, transforming static artifacts into living memory. Another pivotal project, Voices Unbound, a traveling mural across five Latin American cities, featured portraits of local activists and elders, each enriched by augmented audio stories.

Impact Beyond Museums: Education and Public Spaces

Vallejos Félix consistently pushes art beyond gallery walls, embedding it in public life. Her “Art Without Borders” initiative transforms urban spaces—subway stations, parks, abandoned buildings—into open-air galleries featuring community-created murals and sculptures. By doing so, she democratizes access and fosters a sense of collective ownership over cultural narratives.

In schools, she leads creative workshops where students explore identity through collaborative painting and digital storytelling, tools she sees as vital for building resilience and critical thinking. “Young people are not just the future—they are the present we rewrite,” she states. Since 2020, Proyecto Onde has reached over 12,000 youth, with 78% reporting increased self-confidence and civic engagement in post-workshop surveys.

Advocacy and Policy: Art as Political Language

What sets Vallejos Félix apart is her unflinching integration of aesthetic practice with political advocacy. She advises local governments on cultural policy, pushing for public funding models that prioritize community-driven art initiatives rather than elite institutional gatekeeping. “Art doesn’t wait for permission,” she insists.

“And neither should justice.” Her 2022 policy paper, “Cultural Citizenship: Art as a Pathway to Equity,” presented to the Mexican Ministry of Culture, influenced a regional funding reform allocating 15% of cultural budgets to grassroots creative collectives—a landmark shift toward systemic inclusion.

Yet, her journey has not been without challenge. Navigating a field often skeptical of “activist art,” Vallejos Félix perseveres by grounding every project in authenticity and measurable impact.

“We don’t create to be celebrated,” she emphasizes. “We create because silence is no longer an option.” This ethos resonates across borders, inspiring emerging artists to see their work as both personal expression and social responsibility.

Recognition and Legacy in Progress

With accolades from the National Prize for Visual Arts and inclusion in the UNESCO Art for Social Transformation report, Vallejos Félix’s influence grows internationally.

Yet her focus remains local—investing in communities most affected by displacement, poverty, and cultural marginalization. Current projects include a landmark public art corridor in Oaxaca designed with input from rural youth and a digital platform mapping community art trails across Latin America. “We are building a network,” she says.

“One brushstroke, one story, one shared moment at a time.”

Looking Ahead: The Future of Art as Resistance

Marisela Vallejos Félix embodies a new paradigm: the artist as both storyteller and architect of change. Her work challenges the notion that art exists in isolation, proving instead that it is a vital thread in the fabric of social progress. As global divides deepen, her message remains urgent and clear—visionary creativity, rooted in community and justice, is not just a luxury but a necessity.

In every mural, painting, and workshop, she is not only reshaping art; she is reshaping society, one bold, beautiful message at a time.