Today we’d like to introduce you to Kira Carrillo Corser.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Kira Carrillo Corser has a 45-year history in the arts, starting as a journalist and photographer at KPBS TV and Radio, San Diego Home Garden Magazine and work published in the Union/Tribune and the San Diego Business Journal. Her work has been on national broadcasts with President Clinton on health care access and President Carter with Human Rights Defenders from around the world, exhibits in congress and state buildings, and even on Mr. Rogers Children’s Television shows! Kira believes that art is a bridge and saves lives by bringing awareness, joy, hope and love.
She has a Masters in Fine Art and Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism, with several documentary films and books, Kira combines these degrees in designing collaborative community based projects that promote civic engagement.
Three current projects are: SeaChanges.org, PostsforPeaceandJustice.org, and Compassionate Arts in Action. She is responsible for 7 Posts (8-foot tall paintings) at the Oceanside Museum of Art created with 32 artists at the Art of Autism Exhibition until August 3rd, and 14 Posts are on exhibit at the Fallbrook Center for the Arts created with 300 people over the last 10 years until July 12.
Kira is a 30-year cancer survivor and continues to help others cope with life challenges. She recently published 5 books available at www.WellnessforchildrenProject.com. These include her Healing Angel paintings and important ways parents and teachers can help young children cope with stress, illness and fear.
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?
I was a single mom with 2 kids when I moved to California from Georgia in 1976. I was unemployed for a year and got depressed, so my sister in San Diego talked me into riding the Trailways Bus for 3 days and nights.
When I got here, I enrolled in the Grossmont College photo journalism program and it changed my life. I began to win awards, won a new camera in a photo contest, got jobs and wonderful mentors who helped me become the nationally known artist I am today!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I specialize in designing intergenerational community projects that build resilience, hope and healing.
The “Posts for Peace and Justice Project” and the “Wellness for Children Project” are two of my favorite most impactful current community projects, but before that I worked for 20 years as a social justice, Health Advocate artist creating collaborative
exhibitions and books with poet and co-writer Frances Payne Adler.
What makes me unique is that I have been able to document changes that have happened because of my art – new nursing positions, new legislation, HBO broadcasts with President Clinton, or Robin Williams called Comic Relief to help people who were homeless in San Diego and nationally. I am working on a Retrospective covering 50 years of powerful insightful art that promotes compassion and understanding. Very needed in this word today.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
People are surprised that I survived a 50 percent chance of living after a diagnosis of ovarian cancer 34 years ago and then used my own experience with healing and inspired by my work with Mr Rogers at PBS, to create a large body of videos, puppets, books and stories!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.KiraCorser.com; www.WellnessForChildrenProject.com, www.PostsForPeaceAndJustice.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kiracorser/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kira.corser/?profile_tab_item_selected=photos
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kira-carrillo-corser-644b43a/
- Twitter: https://x.com/kiracorser
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/KiraCorser
- Other: www.SeaChanges.org, www.CompassionateArts.org, www.CompassionateCalifornia.org
Image Credits
Compassionate Arts in Action artists who participate in painting Posts for Peace and Justice, Art of Autism and other topics.
