About Graciela

Graciela Lopez has been striving to make a difference in the world since she learned of poverty and inequality at age eight. While her end has remained consistent- peace and justice- her means to an end have gone through some major shape shifting throughout her life.  From giving a few pesos to poor people on the streets in Mexico, to advocacy and activism.  Most recently, she has found arts as essential in her journey for peace.

    "Dance first spoke to my spirit when I was seventeen years old.  At first, I classified my dance as “belly dancing”.  As I began to explore other types of dance, I incorporated more of African dance styles into my dance.   I later stopped using recorded music and preferred dialogs between musicians and dancers, for the sole purpose of bridging communication without the use of words/with the tool of music.  I recently began a new medium of storytelling, through poetry and dance. My most recent project has been incorporating all of my mediums to bring to life important mestiza women of the past."