Staff Member Q&A with Julivic Marquez
Julivic Marquez is a part-time staff member at Createscape. You see her at the reception desk on Tuesdays and, if you're into Austin's dance scene, then maybe you've also spotted her striking a pose on the pole or with a hula hoop (the technical term is lyra).
Before arriving on our doorstep, Julivic lived in the Dominican Republic, Boston, and LA. If you're wondering what someone with such a strong creative spirit is doing in Central Texas, then we're on the same page. Check out our Q&A with Julivic below.
Createscape: You just moved to Austin. What brought you here?
JM: I was living in Boston and decided I was ready for a change.
You have a passport from the U.S. and Dominican Republic. Why did you decide to live in Central Texas, of all places?
I was looking for a cheap place to live — and someplace with a visible art culture and warm weather. After I got to Austin, ironically enough, I realized that a lot of people were thinking that same thing. Now, thanks to gentrification, a lot of the artists and students are being priced-out of the city.
“I was looking for [when I moved]…. and someplace with a visible art culture and warm weather. After I got to Austin, ironically enough, I realized that a lot of people were thinking that same thing”.
You're from the Dominican Republic, then lived in Boston. And now you're living in the South. You must love hot weather!
Before I decided to move to Texas, I didn’t know that the average summer temperature here is “hell degrees.” Yet, I’ll take that any time over a Boston winter. I must admit, though, I do miss autumn in New England.
Agreed! You can't beat Autumn in the Northeast. But now you have about eight months of summer.
East Coast fall is lovely. It’s a perfect dance between hot to warm, warm to chilly, and finally cold weather. At some point in the Fall, you have no choice than to dress for all the seasons in one outfit.
So you'll miss the Northeast a little bit?
I do already miss seeing the leaves turn yellow, red, and green. And drinking warm pumpkin spice lattes.
You can still drink warm pumpkin-spiced lattes.
The other day, I went to HEB and saw that they have Dunkin’ Donuts pumpkin spice creamer. I felt a tingling nostalgic sensation — so I bought it. Memories are timeless and they can be shaped and incorporated through rituals. For me, making and drinking a pumpkin spice latte makes me nostalgic for home in Boston.
Like you, I also lived in a few different cities and states. Do you have a hard time deciding where home is?
I am an immigrant at the core of my heart. I love traveling, setting roots, and leaving to find a new home. Home for me is anywhere where I make meaningful, vulnerable connections with the people in that place.
So what did you decide?
I’ve traveled to many countries but not all of them are home. Making a home takes time. So far my home is Santo Domingo, La Habana, Cali, Lowell, and Boston – Austin is a home in the making.
“I love movement. For me, movement is a universal language, whether you do it professionally or as a hobby”.
What do you like about living in Austin?
Austin is a fun city. So far, I’ve made magical connections that are encouraging me to actively grow.
You only work at Createscape one day a week — on Tuesdays. What do you do the rest of your week?
I love movement. For me, movement is a universal language, whether you do it professionally or as a hobby. I found growth and learning in the dance company Ashé Arts Austin, the pole dance studio Black Box Creative, and the aerial arts school, Sky Candy (aka, circus school). Each one has challenged my body and mind to create new stories — and possibilities — in my life.
What's next on the horizon for you?
I will soon take a lyra class (some people call it a hoop). I am excited about learning flying tricks and hopefully falling in a way that I can get up again.