Siriaco Garcia
Artist (Siricasso)
Age: 28
Wife: Stephanie Garcia
Children: Siriaco Ezra Garcia, Santiago Garcia, Siena Garcia
Accomplishments that make you deserving of being a Forty Under 40:
Painted over 30 murals in Central Iowa, including a community mural at Hoover High School with the Al Exito students in 2023 and helped lead a community mural in the Evelyn K Davis Park with Jill Wells, Marissa Hernandez and the Des Moines Art Center in 2023.
Frequently hosts events that highlight local art, music and business.
Teaching artist at the Des Moines Art Center, after art teacher at Woodward Academy and lead art activities at Mainframe Studios for First Friday.
Have collaborated with the B.Well Foundation on digital art and community art activities.
What's your biggest passion, and why?
Creating and being an artist. I love everything about it – art has helped me in my life. Through art, I've seen how it positively influences our communities. Artists can be shy, but with a safe space where we can create with others without judgment and hate, we can all thrive.
What are your goals in your role at work?
As a small-business owner, my main goal is expansion. I'd love to engage the community with art through pop-up events throughout Iowa and beyond. This year, I'm focusing on pushing out more personal art that connects to galleries, in addition to continuing to grow my vendor art opportunities for myself and others.
What are your goals in a role outside of work?
Outside of my personal community artist work, I engage with youths in the region. I'm committed to expanding access for arts education for youths, especially for those who are struggling to fit into traditional learning environments. Helping kids find creativity and inspiring them to see the world differently is great.
Tell us about an experience or memory that influenced how you see the world or what you want to do in life.
In high school, finding a community of other artists helped me stay motivated in school and inspired collaboration with other artists to this day. “Save the art” came out of this experience of seeing the value of being with others who can help you become the best artist you can be.
What are your aspirations for the future?
I want to continue to create, inspire other artists and give back as much as I can to my community. It's also important to me that I continue to provide and be there for my family, to be the best husband and dad I can be.
What's one piece of advice you'd give to a young professional?
Just keep going. Never stop dreaming, never stop believing. When I was coming up, a lot of people didn't support me, but I found my people and they helped me reach for my dreams. I'd say it's important for you to find your people, too.
What is one thing you would like to see Central Iowa leaders address, and why?
I think more funding for the arts can help us make our communities more welcoming. Finding more ways to create community through the arts is useful for all of our communities. As a full-time artist, I'm always looking for grants and opportunities to support my events and artistry. We really have few art-funding opportunities as opposed to our neighbors in Minnesota. More arts funding could help support the new wave of artists coming up.
What's one fun fact about you?
I worked at McDonald's for nine years.
Hobbies: Art, basketball and walks on the trails.
One word that describes you: Determined.
What is your favorite local restaurant? Casa Azteca in Huxley.
Name one book, podcast, movie or show you love. “The Walking Dead.”
What is your go-to activity to do in Central Iowa in the evenings or during the weekend?
Zoo or library.