Hi,

My name is Loretoh, and I’ve spent my adult life chasing the thing that lights me up the most: painting and creating murals. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve found joy in drawing and coloring anything I could imagine — and that feeling never left me. I know firsthand how healing it is to tap into your imagination and how powerful it can be to connect with others through art.

I was born in Chile and moved to the United States when I was sixteen. Like many immigrant families, my father brought me and my sister to the U.S. to give us a better future and a shot at the American Dream. I always knew I wanted to turn my creativity into a career — and I’ve never given up on that dream. Today, I hope to give back to my community by using my art to make our urban spaces more colorful, welcoming, and inspiring.

For the past four years, I’ve worked professionally as a muralist, committed to beautifying my town, inspiring creativity, and creating spaces where people feel seen and connected. A few years ago, I had the opportunity to paint a mural at Public School #2 in West New York, NJ, thanks to the support of parents, teachers, and the community. It was an incredible experience that reminded me how murals can bring people together and make a lasting impact.

While living in West New York, I noticed there aren't many murals around — and that same feeling extends to neighboring towns like Union City and North Bergen. These communities are rich with culture and spirit, but they’re missing the color and creative energy that public art can bring. I believe residents here deserve to see that vibrancy reflected in their streets, and I want to be part of making that happen.

Recently, I began working on a mural project designed to spread a powerful message about mental health: "You Are Not Alone" / "No Estamos Sol@s." This message feels especially important in a community like ours, where so many people are bilingual, and where mental health conversations are still growing.

Originally, I had planned to paint this mural on the wall of a local CrossFit gym. However, after some careful thought, I realized the space was too large for the current project, so I am now actively looking for a new wall in West New York, Union City, or North Bergen to bring this vision to life.

My goal remains the same — to create a mural that connects art, mental health awareness, and community pride. The target completion date May 2025 (although it may shift depending on when and where we secure a new location!).

I’m now raising $2,000 to cover:

Labor costs

Materials and supplies

A portion to be donated to the You Are Not Alone Murals (YANAM) Project, to support their mission of mental health awareness through public art

If I’m lucky enough to raise more than the goal, additional funds will go toward expanding this project and further supporting mental health initiatives.

You can learn more about "You Are Not Alone Murals" by visiting their Instagram @youarenotalonemurals or their website: www.youarenotalonemurals.com.

Whether you can contribute financially or simply help spread the word, you’ll be part of creating something beautiful and meaningful for our community. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading, supporting, and believing in this vision.

With love and gratitude,

Loretoh