Cipriano Ortega

Denver native Cipriano Ortega (he/they) is an poet, actor, artist, musician and educator who has performed at Su Teatro, Curious Theatre, Theatre Group, The Source Theatre Company and the 2017 National New Voices reading festival. Cipriano strives to create works of art that probe the mind and make people question what they perceive as the normative. He recently wrote and produced his first full-length play, “Cheyanne”, a dramatic piece that showcases how artists of color navigate the complex and nuanced art world. Whether that is shown in poetry, music, theater, visual art or some sort of culmination of all of the above; Cipriano enjoys blending all creative forms of expression. As an indigenous POC, they have no choice but to deal with colonialism head on by making it a daily practice to see the divisions we as a society create and continue to make the ‘normative.’
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Cipriano has been involved with Art from Ashes since March of 2021 as a Guest Artist. Through their various forms of creative expression, they have been a welcomed asset in our youth workshop spaces and provide the young people with inspiration and a glimpse of how they too can use creativity as a means for personal transformation, a career, hobby, advocacy and more! It is truly an honor to have such a talented individual in our Art from Ashes community.

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*Each organization nominated their honoree with an essay. Those essays are posted here, as submitted, to maintain the organization's unique voice and authenticity.

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