Meet Mauricio Salas | Cultural Director and Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mauricio Salas and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mauricio, why did you pursue a creative career?
Because throughout my life, art has always been a constant, a way to express myself and connect with my surroundings. From a young age, I studied music, played several instruments, participated in choirs, and dabbled in folkloric dance. All these experiences helped me understand and love artistic practice and forged a free, creative, and sensitive spirit within me.

On the other hand, being born in a country like Peru, steeped in history, art, and culture, but also profound economic and social contrasts, prompted me to develop my artistic management skills, with the goal of contributing to the dissemination and growth of this field.

As an artist, I found in dance a space for expression and self-recognition. I practice the Marinera, Peru’s national dance, and thanks to it, I discovered my calling, the connection with my roots, and also love.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am the founder and director of Salas Art Agency, a company founded in 2022 when I decided to emigrate with my family from Peru to the United States. I had a career spanning more than 15 years in arts management in my country, holding senior positions such as the director of the Grand National Theater of Peru and as director of national artistic companies. I had achieved many professional accomplishments, but I also felt disillusioned with a country where it was difficult for me to see a future.

While in the United States, I felt like many doors were closed to me and I had to accept the idea of ​​starting from scratch. However, the only thing I knew was that I had to stay connected to the arts. We moved to Charlotte, NC, and little by little, after meeting people, organizations, and festivals, we decided to create a space dedicated to Latin American arts, with an emphasis on Peruvian culture, that would allow its exposure and appreciation by the North American public. Our goal is to create a bridge between cultures for better coexistence, fostering the enjoyment of diversity in art and the exchange of ideas for contemporary creation. Our lines of work include the production of shows, the representation of artists, and the teaching of traditional Peruvian dances.

Over the past year, thanks to my experience managing different artistic expressions, I have connected with artists and managers from many states and am getting involved in different projects aligned with the company’s goals. Salas Art Agency has gained greater visibility and recognition as a cultural agent in our community, and on a personal level, I have been able to connect more with dance through the creation of a new show that my wife and I recently premiered, along with my role as a judge in various Marinera competitions in the United States, but I feel like this is just the beginning.

It definitely hasn’t been and isn’t easy. Like every migration story, there have been many moments of doubt, frustration, disenchantment, and fragility. The greatest challenge is keeping my spirits high despite the difficulties of starting a business in a new country, adapting as a family to a different social environment, or facing a lack of inspiration to create. I decided to take one day at a time and view each experience as a new opportunity to learn. Fortunately, I discovered wonderful, capable, and highly professional people, committed to their profession and their community, from whom I have been able to learn and be inspired to continue growing.

I hope my story inspires others to keep trying, to seek new paths, especially migrant artists, so they can always find a way to keep creating. I hope Salas Art Agency helps provide Latinx artists with the opportunity to showcase their talent, their stories, and their culture in the United States.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Charlotte is a vibrant and lively city, especially if you enjoy art and culture. We would definitely start with a visit to Camp North End and take advantage of the opportunity to do a photoshoot among the train tracks, murals, and industrial spaces.

We would also go to one of the shows offered by local theaters like the Belk, Knight, or Carolina Theater. Broadway productions, the Charlotte Ballet or Symphony, or simply an artist touring the city at that time. Any of them are a great cultural plan.

For fun, we could go to South End or Noda to enjoy the nightlife and a great culinary offering. I should highlight that trendy Peruvian dishes like Yunta Nikkei and La Lima are always on my list.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My wife, Angela. She’s the one who always pushes me to take on new challenges, who encourages me when I fail, and who also shows me new opportunities. She’s also my partner in my art and my associate in the projects we undertake. She deeply believes in my talent and my ability and has the gift of always seeing the positive side of things.

Angela supports me in decisions, both big and small, and at the end of a long day, she’s my happy place.

Website: https://salasartagency.com

Instagram: @salas.art.agency

Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/mauricio-salas-torreblanca-41732a160

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1HKmDFkLbb/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Image Credits
Ivo Macedo Photography
Ernesto Moreno Photography