Get to Know George Perez

Interview by Lisa Husseini, October 2016

 

I got the chance to sit down with fellow Board member, George Perez, to discuss the arts, his path, and his role at Artsmith. George is the founder and owner of George Rafael, a fashion line rooted in the music, art, and fashion of the Bronx. Through this line, he has also set up a special collection called “For the Love of Arts and Music” which gives back a percentage of the proceeds to Artsmith.

How were you first exposed to the arts and how has it shaped your life?
Luckily for me, art was still part of the education curriculum when I was in school. I always enjoyed drawing from a very young age and continued to do so throughout my school years. Because I enjoyed art from a young age, I believe that love fueled my drive to pursue an education in fashion design later in my adult life.

As someone who grew up in the Bronx, what do you love most about it?
The Bronx made me resilient and molded me to be who I am. It represents my childhood, and many of my friends and family are from the Bronx and still live there today. I love to go back and see the many changes happening to a once forgotten borough. Even with all of the changes, the heart of the BX still remains.

What do you love most about working in fashion?
Taking an idea and making it a reality is such a great feeling of accomplishment. I love creating things that make people feel good.

What advice would you offer to young people today?
Do what you love. I wish I had chosen to follow my passion at a younger age.

What do you like to do in your free time?
I have been catching episodes of “The Get Down” whenever I have some free time. Brings back good memories of growing up in the Bronx.

When you look to the future of the arts in America, what do you think needs to change?
The arts open opportunities in different fields of life. Art gives people the chance to express themselves while becoming more confident and more prepared for their future. There must be more funding for arts education in school systems. There should also be more support for outside organizations working to motivate success in our communities through the arts.

What brought you to Artsmith and how has your time on the board been so far?
I was introduced to Artsmith by a friend who knew I had a desire to bring awareness to the importance of the arts for young people. After participating in several events to support Artsmith, I felt that our goals were the same. I wanted to support and help them execute their mission. It has been great getting to know the board members. I’m excited about planning the organization’s future with them and sharing our passion for the arts.

What is your role on the board?
I will be working on community relations. It may be challenging to develop new relationships at the start, but I’m confident that once people get to know Artsmith and our mission, they will see no other choice than to form a relationship with this organization!