Voice Out: Youth Media Art Exhibition May 3, 2025

Voz en 2025
Exhibition: May 3, 2025 4:00pm @ Outside The Lens
Jóvenes artistas y amplificación de sus voces

Voice Out is a youth-driven media arts exhibition. This annual event furthers our mission to ignite confidence in young people to pursue creative pathways and drive social change. Through Voice Out we provide a platform for young artists ages 8–19 to express themselves through digital artworks including photography, mixed media, and video. Through this community celebration of creativity and youth voice, young artists become more confident and engaged in the world. Find out more about sponsoring this event here or contact Ella Cook at ella@outsidethelens.org.
Meet the Jury!
An inspiring panel of cultural leaders have selected the standout pieces for Voice Out. Get to know these creatives!

Natalia Aguirre
Natalia Aguirre is a multi-media artist of Mexican, Guatemalan, and Salvadoran heritage, born in southeast San Diego and now based in the South Bay. Her work—ranging from body art and poetry to photography and film—honors her ancestry and cultural pride. By blending disciplines, she creates art that celebrates humanity, identity, and self-expression. Natalia’s practice is rooted in love for her community and the stories it carries.

Olimpia Vázquez Ojeda
Olimpia Vázquez Ojeda is a bicultural arts administrator from Tijuana with a background in anthropology and creative education. She currently manages programs at A Reason to Survive (ARTS) and previously held roles at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego and BLCI. Passionate about equity and youth-centered learning, Olimpia creates accessible, transformative educational experiences. Outside work, she enjoys pottery, biking, and time with her dog Mica.

Amanda Dahlgren
Amanda Dahlgren is a San Diego-based photographic artist and educator whose work opens dialogues about societal values and ways of living. Her photography has been exhibited internationally and featured in numerous publications. Amanda teaches at San Diego City College and is passionate about mentoring students to express themselves through photography. She has also held leadership roles at arts institutions including the Athenaeum and the Museum of Photographic Arts.

Diana Benavidez
Diana Benavidez is a San Diego/Tijuana-based artist working with piñatas as a creative medium since 2015. A pioneer in this form, she combines traditional techniques with unconventional materials and sewing to explore identity and border culture. Her work has been exhibited internationally. Diana holds a Visual Arts degree from UC San Diego and currently serves as the Engagement, Learning, and Impact Assistant Manager at the Mingei International Museum.

Skylar Economy
Skylar Economy is an Emmy-nominated documentary filmmaker based in NYC, known for amplifying underrepresented voices. She’s directed and produced for CNN, Netflix, VICE, Vogue, and more. Skylar has directed award-winning projects and served in key production roles on acclaimed hybrid films. Currently, Skylar is directing two feature documentaries and leads successful video series for Architectural Digest, using storytelling to spark awareness and connection across diverse platforms.

Rich Soublet
Rich Soublet is a San Diego-based photographer specializing in portraits, headshots, and entertainment photography. His work has been featured in publications like The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Entertainment Weekly. For Rich, photography is about connection—building trust with subjects to create authentic, impactful images. Whether on set or in studio, his goal is always to capture a compelling visual story that resonates with viewers.

Brittany Prieto
Brittany Prieto is an experienced museum educator dedicated to youth-centered, inclusive programming. She began her career at The Met, where she helped launch Teens Take the Met and multi-generational festivals. Now at the Getty, Brittany oversees youth programs including Teen Gallery Guides and mindfulness initiatives. With degrees from Vassar and NYU, she brings a thoughtful, community-driven approach to empowering young people through creative museum experiences.

Victor De La Fuente
Victor De La Fuente is a performing and visual artist from the Imperial Valley whose work blends experimental comedy, improvisational dance, and performance art. He studied at UC San Diego, where he developed a unique style influenced by theater and video. Victor’s staged works and films are known for their playful inventiveness. He currently teaches filmmaking and cinematography to seniors at High Tech High Media Arts.

Susanna Peredo Swap
Susanna Peredo Swap is a filmmaker, journalist, and cultural producer with 25+ years of experience spanning the arts, media, and public engagement. She’s curated over 80 exhibitions, served on numerous boards, and currently co-leads Arts & Culture for World Design Capital 2024. As founder of Vanguard Culture, she brings creatives together across disciplines to spark collaboration, celebrate culture, and connect communities through the arts.

Toma de decisiones impulsada por los jóvenes
Estamos comprometidos a incorporar las perspectivas de los jóvenes en nuestros programas y toma de decisiones. Esto significa implicar a nuestros estudiantes en la planificación de eventos, las relaciones con los medios de comunicación e incluso la selección de jurados. Esto no sólo crea conexiones creativas para nuestros jóvenes, sino que ofrece a los líderes de la comunidad una nueva perspectiva.
Nuestro marco programático
Nuestro programa anual incluye una exposición con jurado, un acto de inauguración y una celebración comunitaria con espectáculos y una mesa redonda.
El jurado de cada año está compuesto por un grupo diverso de jóvenes, profesionales de las artes audiovisuales, educadores y líderes comunitarios que seleccionan las obras ganadoras. La exposición es un escaparate en forma de galería de las obras de todos los jóvenes artistas participantes. Para inaugurar la exposición, organizamos una celebración comunitaria gratuita en la sede de OTL en el East Village de San Diego. La inauguración incluye un anticipo de los patrocinadores, un DJ en directo, comida y bebida. El acto inaugural también incluye una mesa redonda con jóvenes artistas, profesionales de las artes audiovisuales y líderes de la comunidad sobre el tema, las obras de arte y su repercusión. La moderará el Director Ejecutivo de Outside The Lens.