We’re honored to highlight the voice and vision of Shayla Hufana, a Filipina-American, queer artist, designer, and community advocate based in the Seattle area.

Shayla first connected with Urban ArtWorks through a Seattle Storm utility box project her first public art piece outside of graphic design and since then, she’s become a dynamic contributor to our community. Whether mentoring youth artists like Mica Viacrucis, collaborating on murals, or amplifying voices through her studio ConceptShell, Shayla leads with love, honesty, and a deep commitment to creating space for others.

Follow along as we dive into Shayla’s artistic journey, her thoughts on public art as a tool for social change, and how her lived experience as a member of the AANHPI and LGBTQ+ communities shapes her creative work.

How did you first get involved with Urban ArtWorks?
I applied to a call for art by Urban ArtWorks for a Seattle Storm utility box project. This was the very first public art project I’ve ever worked on outside of doing work as a graphic designer through a company.

What stands out to you about collaborating with Urban ArtWorks and youth artists?
The first time I worked with Urban ArtWorks, I got a call from Paul Nunn, the previous Projects Director. I felt seen and heard. UA is genuine about supporting their artists and the community, and the work the organization does shows it daily. I’m proud to be part of it.

What are some of the projects you’ve contributed to or supported through Urban ArtWorks, whether as an artist, volunteer or community member?
I just recently got into doing public art, you know, I feel like I became more of an activist, even more during the pandemic, in 2020. So the first thing I actually applied for was a Seattle storm project with Urban ArtWorks. Since then, I’ve been meeting many more people, I can just feel how accepting Urban ArtWorks is as an artist, with my individualities. Urban ArtWorks is so authentic and genuine about helping the community and all the artists as part of it.

How do you encourage others to express their identities and voices through their art?
I practice getting better at expressing my own identity and voice publicly and share my experiences with others to do the same. It’s not something I’ve always been comfortable doing. I present to students at colleges who are taking programs similar to art/design. I offer graphic design internships with ConceptShell for high school and college students.

Why do you believe public art is important for communities, and how does it function as a medium for social change and raising awareness?
Public art has the power to connect us in the most organic, human way possible. It stops us in our tracks. We can create memorable, engaging stories that can last a lifetime, that inspire, motivate, and hold spaces for others.

We are working on this interview in late May and sharing it in June. As we celebrate AANHPI Heritage Month and look ahead to Pride Month, how do these identities and celebrations influence your connection to community and the arts?
I’m part of both the AANHPI and LGBTQ+ communities, which heavily influences all of my work. My best work comes from the heart. With pieces from my background, cultural identity, how I grew up, and from those around me who have helped guide me. I lead with love, honesty, boldness, transparency. I’m known to be an art activist – I create to share my thoughts on a matter or to help fight for justice.

Can you tell us about your experience having an intern that is a Base Crew artist at Urban ArtWorks? What did you learn or take away from that time?
Mica Viacrucis is one of the most talented young artists I’ve met. I’m honored to have mentored them and had them as an intern at my studio. It gave me insight into how unique the next generation is. There are certainly ways that we can connect, and one of the best ways is through art. No one person can ever stop learning, from the young and old. We just have to find the right ways to communicate best with each other.

I actually got introduced to Mica by Mousey Devilla, a Teaching Artist at Urban Artworks, while working on a mural together, Mousy was like “Hey, Mica is going to school for art and design and they want to know what it’s like in a graphic design profession.”

Mica was actually my very first intern. We recently won the Platinum Award from the Hermes Creative Awards. Mica wasn’t expecting anything like that, but I was like, “You know what, I’m going to submit this one,” because we got to do some illustration work and Mica totally had all these concepts laid out. They chose a style that I had, and Mica was just able to just run with it, and drew up a whole bunch of things. That was so beautiful. Mica is a great, thoughtful person.

Mica reminded me a lot about myself, because they happen to be Filipino, I’m Filipino, they’re queer, and so am I. I was able to connect with them, just in so many different ways, and knowing that they’re so talented in so many different things too… When I was a kid, I didn’t know that Urban ArtWorks existed, and thankfully today, it has connected us.

It’s cool, seeing all these younger artists and then meeting the ones my age who have been in it for so long. That’s why I bring my son and my daughter, whenever there’s events, so we can see if they’ll be interested to try Urban ArtWorks programs in the future.

We’ve seen you at several Urban ArtWorks events—what keeps you coming back, and why do you think it is important to support our work?
I wasn’t immersed into the art community when I was younger. It wasn’t common before when I was a kid, at least to me it wasn’t. Now that I have two young kids, I want them to know that a community and organization like this is there for them to explore. I think art has a way of helping people to expand in many ways, to learn more and understand others, even if art is not their destined profession.

What advice would you give to youth artists who want to pursue art professionally?
Don’t let others tell you you can’t. Always be you. Be kind. Be open. You’d be amazed at what can happen when you commit to what you’re doing as long as you’re really passionate about it. Amazing things will follow.

When I think about Pride month, I wasn’t confident to share my art before, because a lot of it was portraits I painted, my wife and things that relate to our family. When I was younger, of course, I was too scared to share that side of me because my cultural upbringing was really tough. So I think because of everyone that I have met along the way, everyone who is open and honest and welcoming really helped me to feel like I could be myself. Even though I’m older now it’s still a reminder to be yourself and be authentic and not worry about what people think.

I just appreciate that community that makes you feel so welcomed here. For Pride, that’s something I wanted to share, especially, the connection between Mica and I and how I feel like I can mentor people that are like me that I kind of wish I had when I was a kid.

Are there any upcoming projects or collaborations you’re particularly excited about?

I recently finished a AANHPI piece in collaboration with Intentionalist. I also worked on branding for their project called AMPLIFY, which was to help small businesses in the Chinatown-International District. Mayor Bruce Harrell recently announced an initiative that will focus on helping the CID become safer and better for people.

I’m wrapping up on a branding project for a local chef based in Tacoma, Jan Parker. I can’t wait to share it!

I’m working on a guidelines manual for the City of Seattle to help App-based workers. I had done a guide book for Independent Contractor Protections (ICP) last year.

Mica and I will be soon painting a mural for a new family social indoor playground coming soon called Laro Taro meaning “Let’s Play.” Stay tuned!