Franceska Gamez on leading with love and bringing art to the masses

Photo: Kevin Fiscus Photography / Submerge Magazine

Artist and muralist Franceska Gamez has become a prominent figure in Sacramento’s art scene. Driven by a passion for community organizing and collaboration, she approaches each artistic endeavor with a deep understanding of the pivotal role artists and their creations play in driving meaningful change.

“Art has always been the center of communicating things we don’t have the words for. Art has the ability to power cross-cultural liberation. It’s unique in that way. It can be loaded with meaning with very few words. Yet, people of different backgrounds and languages can look at a piece and understand exactly what it’s talking about,” Gamez said.

Born in Quezon City, Philippines, Gamez was five years old when she and her family immigrated to the San Francisco Bay Area. The youngest child of eight siblings, Gamez turned to art to manage feelings of displacement and a desire to belong. Growing up, she was a shy child who struggled to find her place in the United States.

“I was the youngest. I was raised to respect the hierarchy within my family, so that, plus experiencing culture shock, made me internalize and become more observant and quiet. I was trying to find my place, and art became a way for me to express myself when I couldn’t find the words. It was also my ‘in,’ connecting with other kids with a similar kind of shyness,” Gamez said.

Gamez knew from a young age that she was destined to be an artist. Yet, having grown up in an immigrant family where survival and sustainability were top priorities, pursuing a career in art was not considered a viable option. Despite these challenges, she decided to take a leap of faith and follow her lifelong passion for art, gradually finding her voice and purpose along the way.

Photo courtesy: Franceska Gamez

For Gamez, making art is more about the journey than the product. While her artistic journey began with painting, she soon discovered her love for sculpture while earning her bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts from Sacramento State University. Following the unexpected loss of her sister, Gamez felt she needed something more physical than painting to process her grief.

“My body, my being, needed something to rip apart. Cutting large sheets of cardboard and paper, spray painting, and layering pieces became more of a release; there was no profound intent behind doing the work. It was just me releasing and pouring my grief into this work,” Gamez said. “Now sculpture is part of my studio practice, which is sacred, personal, and unfiltered, while my murals are out in the wild, commissioned and collaborative.”

In addition to her work with M5 Arts Collective and the Trust Your Struggle Collective, Gamez co-founded 1810 Gallery, an artist-owned and operated platform that curates and produces experiences to democratize art.

“There is a difference between art for art’s sake and art that’s made for the community. Public art lives and takes up space in our communities, so they’re subject to community feedback and interaction, both good and bad. The way it’s shaped me has made me more aware of the transformative power of art,” Gamez said. “When I make art intended for uplifting and celebrating people, I do my best to research and consult with the community. It adds to the process because there is so much due diligence. On the other hand, art, for art’s sake, is just as powerful in that the public’s reaction is part of the art.”

Photo courtesy: Franceska Gamez

Gamez’s unique style and message expressed through her murals have left a lasting mark on communities globally. She has murals throughout California, the East Coast, Europe, and Southeast Asia. 

“I approach murals through storytelling. Murals have existed to be billboards for people; they can be love letters, calls to action, and sources of pride,” she said. 

Moving to Sacramento opened Gamez’s eyes to a different art scene from that of the Bay Area. With a specialization in mixed media and sculpture, she channels her passion for the arts to advocate for fellow visual artists, educators, and cultural workers like herself.

“Artists need to be involved in making decisions. They are truly a channel for change. The way they process, make connections, and solve problems, they should have a seat at the table, especially for artists of color and folks whose voices have been historically marginalized,” Gamez said. “People value art but often forget the human beings behind their creation. Artists need to be paid properly and compensated for their time. Artists give so much of themselves, and it’s easily exploited. If you want a city to thrive, you must invest in the people who contribute to its culture.”

Despite the challenges of working as a full-time artist, Gamez expresses that her life has been a constant dream. In 2023, she graduated from the Nehemiah Emerging Leaders Program and was named an honoree of Sacramento Business Journal’s 40 Under 40. Her latest work includes an upcoming mural in downtown Sacramento and a piece commissioned by the LABAN Group to raise awareness about stopping anti-Asian hate.

“I’m leaning into my practice of breathing and staying present. It’s so important right now,” Gamez said. “There is a lot of hurt in the world, and it hurts me, but my mantra is leading with love. That includes how I talk to myself and others and how I confront global issues.”