Enjoy Life Art: Meet Jazz Benitez

I'm originally from Orange County, California. I moved here when I was almost 21. I connected with someone online and eventually came to Midland permanently. My first thought when I arrived was, 'Wait. Do they still have [street] lights on strings here?'. On the other hand, I love the color green, and I only really saw this much green once I moved here. Where I'm from, it's very busy and congested. Midland is an entirely different pace. 

Growing up, I didn't really fit in. I was bullied as a kid and didn't really know why. I just felt different. I wanted to be friends with the girls, but they didn't want to be friends with me. So I went to try to be friends with the boys, and they definitely didn't want to be friends with me. Yeah, I don't know. I just didn't fit in anywhere. And then when I got into high school, I was in sports, so that kind of cliques you in somewhere, but even within that clique, I only had like one or two people that I could emotionally & securely count on. I was also into art, and had some friends in that space, too. I was a pretty angsty teenager, and didn’t understand my empathy. 

Being a member of the LGBTQ+ community is part of my story and why I came to Midland originally. I always joke that when I first arrived, it was like nobody had ever seen a gay person here before. I'd be holding hands with my then-girlfriend, and I had really short hair. Everyone had this vibe of, 'Let's look, but not ask questions.' Midland is different than that now. I see a lot more members of the queer community in our town, which is a really good sign of progress.

It really wasn't until about 7 or 8 years ago that I really found my footing. It was right around the time Live Oak opened. I was parked at Sid’s Party Store on Ashman and saw the Live Oak sign on the side of the building. I had no idea that the building even existed, much less that there was a cool coffee house inside. My ex mentioned it was a new coffee house, and as a graphic design student, I needed a place to hunker down and do homework. When I came into the building, I spoke to Daniel Terhune, who said they were hiring. I applied for a job, got an interview, and met Dacia, who runs Parker Lane. It all happened together – I was hired at the coffee shop and asked to teach art classes. There wasn't one big defining moment, but rather taking the right steps or pivoting towards what felt good. Being around people who genuinely care about me created a foundation to bravely step into things I've always wanted to do but was too nervous to say yes. I found people who really cared about me as an individual and not just a number on their payroll. Finding my voice made this place home. 

In 2018, I made the choice to submit a proposal for a mural being commissioned by the Midland Area Youth Action Council. It's now known as the 'Change Mural.' It's on the side of Circle Auto Parts. It's visible from Patrick Road if you're exiting US 10 to come toward Downtown. I honestly really didn't know how I was going to create their concept of philanthropy. I thought about how I wanted to design a concept with the overall vision portraying how the changing world of technology, our planet, and simple things can work hand in hand with philanthropy—changing the world one small thing at a time through the simple things we do. It was my first very public art piece and kickstarted muraling for me. 

Today, I continue to take part in muraling and have my own business, 'Enjoy Life Art.' I have had a hand in a lot of the pieces from the Art Seen Festival, including the Fox Mural on Little Forks Building, viewable in the parking lot on McDonald. The mission of Art Seen is, 'Art Seen Festival seeks to strengthen our Midland County, Michigan, community through vibrant mural making and live performances. Accessible public art is a meaningful way to connect people to feel seen, heard, and included.  Art inspires us and propels us forward while bringing voice to diverse experiences and people. Art is a catalyst for belonging and supports a community where all people have the opportunity to thrive.'

In my busy life, I'm constantly moving and doing things for Live Oak, my own business, Parker Lane, the Midland Area Cultural Awareness Coalition, and Public Arts Midland. Sometimes, I forget to take a deep breath and enjoy the world around me. Having a dog forces me to stop, take her outside, and let her energy out. She's a pit mix - constantly wanting to do something, so we go to Barstow Woods, which I had never been to before having Finnley. It's a beautiful space right in the middle of town. She means a lot to me, and I experience the most joy when I put my phone down, leave it in the car, and go for a long walk, taking it all in.

Looking forward, I hope we can live up to the inclusion conversation in Midland as the world changes. I hope our area becomes an art and music destination, with new murals popping up everywhere.