Queer Writers Club SPOTLIGHT: Reveca Torres
In an ongoing series, Queer Writers Club Community Members speak with Chicago Filmmakers Board Member and Club Host, Colleen O’Doherty, sharing their insight and unique talents. Enroll for free in Queer Writers Club by visiting our Upcoming Screenings and Events page.
We are thrilled to spotlight Reveca Torres, a Chicago-based filmmaker, artist, and photographer. Reveca is a multi-talented artist, a 2022 3Arts Next Level awardee, part of the 2020 Kartemquin/Hulu program and 2020 3Arts awardee. She also was one of the artists who spearheaded the Tres Fridas Project, which reimagined major works of art by changing the pieces so the featured subjects also have visible disabilities.
She answered some questions about her work and goals during an interview with Colleen O’Doherty (playwright, educator, actor, and director) this summer, 2023. O’Doherty started with her usual question, “What got you into filmmaking?”
Torres: “It wasn’t something I initially thought of doing. I went to school for theater and fashion design. Right next to our building was the ‘Film and Media’ building.”
She thought filmmaking was fascinating but didn’t think it was physically possible given the lack of accessible options for people with physical disabilities. Then in 2014, she started an art project with other creators with disabilities. She was thinking about the lack of representation for people with disabilities in art and media by brainstorming creative ways to push back against that problem. “It’s been something that’s always in the back of my mind: we need to have better images.” But it was through documenting the art-making, recording the process shared generously by her fellow creators with disabilities, that Torres recognized her art project in a new state. Now she’s working on completing the film.
“Eventually I did decide to make a documentary out of this process. About artists with disabilities, both in the past and present. Now.” She said it’s also about the joys of making art and finding community. The documentary is in post-production as this article is being written.
“…Finish this film and continue to be involved in documentary film world.” Reveca apparently was bitten by the filmmaking bug, because she said after making the documentary, “I see stories everywhere.” She hints that her family may soon be a compelling subject. But her passions and projects are not contained by any medium. She added, “I hope one day I can do a solo show for visual arts. That could include 2D or 3D arts… Chicago has a really good arts scene.”
Torres said artists with disabilities, and, quite optimistically, she feels that all artists in general support one another. “People show up…collaborate with each other, give each other grace when we don’t get it right.” She said she hopes the Chicago Arts community in all its multidisciplinary and varied perspectives continues to grow, especially the wider disabled community who continue to contribute heavily to the arts both as artists and supporters. Backed by a healthy network of arts organizations, hopefully we’ll soon see more examples of exactly that.
“I also do a lot of work with few collaborators, helping other organizations to make their programming more accessible. It’s been exciting to do that. More organizations or groups are interested.” She said it’s great that venues are more proactive and aware, asking questions, and making changes. “Accessibility is a process.”
To learn more about Reveca Torres, visit her website: https://www.revecatorres.com/
Interview and article by Colleen O'Doherty, editing by Marketing Intern Sofia Migaly & M. Woods.