About El Tapia-Kwan

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El Tapia-Kwan's personal creative practice is grounded in Interpersonal Communication, Art, Accessibility, Education, Advocacy, Storytelling, and being a mediator between a client and their beloved medium.

He takes great joy in seeing a student achieve their definition of success, and consoling the crafters who want no part in AI because they known the value of humanity. 

He is well-versed and educated (though not licensed) in the realms of Art Therapy, Counseling, Art Education, Intependent Contracting, Non-Profits, Communications, Non-Hierarchical group structures, and Mutual Aid.

His personal experiences as a survivor and passion for storytelling have led him through many creative projects, most notably:

Performance Art with Ceramic Sculpture at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD '17,) Sharing "Shameless Stories of Survival" on Youtube, and starting Uppercutt in Central Florida.

Before 2026, he spent a combined decade working in Art Education, Art Therapy - Informed Facilitation, Ceramic Studio Teaching and Management, Non-Profits, Museums, and Community Studios.

After becoming disabled and unable to perform physical work, El has devoted his life's work into providing Virtual services for creatives. His sessions focus on the heart of one's love and loss in the act of creation - the inspiration, the desperation, the flow states, the mistakes, the burnout, and the rising from the ashes. Most uniquely, his services are not intended to help groups or individuals capitalize as fast as possible while creating unsustainable habits, nor encourage a "hustle, grind, thrive or die" mentality that ignores systemic oppressions.

Instead, he focuses on helping clients find their ways back to home and self; a feat that can be especially difficult for artists, culture bearers, mental health professionals, social workers, social justice organizers, and anyone else who puts their heart into everything they do.

El brings his lived experiences, interdisciplinary skills, and ever-growing empathy together to deliver deeply intentional and personalized sessions to fellow creatives through two virtual offerings; Creating with Care, and Creating with Community. 

He also offers group facilitation for the following populations and those who aid them:

LGBTQIA+ Youth (14+) and Adults

Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming  Adults

Incarcerated Youth (14+) and Adults

Unhoused / Homeless Individuals

Adults Navigating Addiction

Survivors of Interpersonal Violence