Emily Xicará Solá

Emily is 19 years old and has been passionate about the arts from a young age. At the age of 8 she began to feel pain in some parts of her body and in 2014 she was diagnosed with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, an autoimmune disease that attacks the body’s own tissues and joints. After 9 years, she has learned to live with the condition and has learned to help others as others have helped her.  

Emily’s social impact project, Colectivo Cicatrices del Arte (Collective Art Scars) works to ensure safe working conditions and job equity for people with chronic illness. Moreover, through her artwork, Emily hopes to raise awareness for people living with chronic illnesses.