Meet the Monfest team

Brief interviews with the people making the magic happen

We are excited to bring you behind the scenes of the Middle of NOWhere Rural Art & Music Festival with interviews featuring the MONfest team.

Our resident Wordsmith KCF asked each of our MONfest team five fun questions as way of pulling the curtain back a little bit for fans of the Middle of NOWhere Art & Music Festival.

We hope you enjoy!

MEEt our team - featuring siriACO "Siricasso" Garcia

KCF: If you had to name a mission statement for your life and/or your creative practice, what would it be

Siri: Art is both my passion and my foundation. I am committed to supporting and nurturing the next generation of artists, whether through my professional work or as a father, where I actively guide and encourage my children in their artistic pursuits. As an artist, I see my role as helping others find the same love and inspiration that art has given me. #savetheart

KCF: Would you share with us a favorite artwork that you're particularly proud of and that you recently created?

Siri: I recently wrapped up a new mural at Drake University

The experience of collaborating with students on the design and painting process has been incredibly rewarding.

I appreciate the students who contributed to the painting process - your efforts were outstanding. Thank you to Jeremy and his team for their support. This mural holds significant meaning, and I'm thankful for the student input that helped shape it. I hope it inspires viewers to be their authentic selves. (photos by Alberto Sanchez)

KCF: Tell us about your relationship to rural places and why you see the work of the Middle of NOWhere Festival as so important in these times?

Siri: I’m beyond excited for you all to experience this festival! I want to invite people to come and immerse themselves in the heart of rural Iowa. The ‘rural’ aspect is significant because, for many of us, these areas haven’t always felt welcoming. I’ve personally encountered racism in small towns, and that’s why I’m so passionate about bringing change to these spaces.

We are NOW here, and we’re not going nowhere.

This festival is a celebration of diversity, welcoming individuals from all cultures and backgrounds. We aim to facilitate a safe space where you can be your authentic self without fear of judgment or scrutiny. My goal is to continue fostering artistic growth in rural areas, as there are so many people who need opportunities like this. Together, we can create something powerful and lasting.

KCF: When you're not making art/music/crafting etc, what's your favorite hobby or pastime? *

Siri: Spending time with my family means everything to me. Recently, we all got hooked on a video game, and it’s been amazing to see the entire family come together to play.

Watching their smiles and hearing their laughter fills me with so much joy because my people truly deserve to be happy.

KCF: If you were truly stuck in the middle of nowhere who would you choose to bring with you and why?

Siri: My family, the can make and situation fun!
​

Thank you Siri for your responses!

Stay tuned for next week, when we'll share more about our team with another interview. In the meantime, you can catch Siri on IG , Facebook, and TikTok.

And follow the MONfest socials below where you can catch snippets about the people and the festival we're building together.

In rural we vibe,

KCF and the MONFest Team