Correa, an artist with roots in Fort Lauderdale, Patillas, and Bayamón, reflects a narrative shaped by both movement and memory.
From New York to Los Angeles and now Atlanta, each location has enriched her art and honed her identity as a Boricua in the diaspora.
“My family is loud, proud and deeply Puerto Rican,” she shares, emphasizing the unique passion that Nuyoricans possess for their homeland.
“Because we’re not physically there, we scream it even louder.”
Correa fondly recalls her upbringing, a beautiful mezcla of Spanglish, salsa rhythms, freestyle beats, and soul classics.
“I was raised in a house filled with love and flavor — literal and figurative sazón,” she laughs.
Her cultural heritage blends Puerto Rican essence with East Coast soul and a hint of punk from her New York days.
After spending a decade in the Los Angeles fashion industry, Correa felt a yearning for something more authentic, a connection to her roots.
The relocation of her mother to Atlanta played a significant role in her journey, with each holiday visit nurturing a desire to settle in the city.
“The heart is where your mother is,” she explains, pointing to familial bonds.
She also witnessed the burgeoning Puerto Rican culture in Atlanta, motivating her to contribute to its development.
Correa’s vibrant murals now grace various locations across Atlanta, from the Krog Street Tunnel to Little Five Points, and are prominently featured on the Beltline.
Her mural, “Somos Boricuas,” stands out as a powerful tribute to her heritage, capturing the attention of over 800 Puerto Ricans during its unveiling.
“It felt like the Puerto Rican Day Parade but in Atlanta,” she recalls, a smile illuminating her face.
For Correa, being Boricua transcends mere identity; it embodies a full-body, full-spirit experience.
This essence is woven into her art, activism, and community organizing efforts.
During the pandemic, Correa embarked on a journey of cultural storytelling, delving into the history of the Taínos, Puerto Rico’s indigenous people.
“We talk so little about that part of our heritage,” she remarks.
“But it’s full of strength, beauty, and resistance — there were women chiefs, cacicas. That’s revolutionary.”
Looking ahead, Correa’s art will adorn the Atlanta float for the 2025 National Puerto Rican Day Parade in Manhattan.
Her creations blend tradition with contemporary elements, notably inspired by Atlanta’s unique culture.
“I thought, housewives, peaches, acrylic nails. But I made it Boricua,” she describes, illustrating a Taína figure with elaborate nails featuring Puerto Rican designs.
Through her art, she merges the essence of Atlanta and Puerto Rico into one vibrant representation.
Visibility and pride are the core themes of Correa’s work.
Whether through public murals, her sold-out Champion collaboration, or her contributions to the Atlanta Puerto Rican Day Parade float, her mission is unwavering: uplift, educate, and celebrate.
“I remember lying on the couch after the Champion event and telling my friend: ‘The coolest thing I did tonight was not the show, not the hoodie drop. It’s that I get to be Puerto Rican every day.’”
For Correa, that connection to her culture is the ultimate form of expression.
image source from：https://discoveratlanta.com/stories/arts-culture/lisette-correa-arrrtaddict/
