The Sea-Through project allowed me and my fellow creatives to come together and share our visions on one subject at a part of our island that we have come to love to visit through the years of our friendship. We all share a passion for capturing moments through our craft, and this is your opportunity to Sea-Through our eyes.
REYNA SA KARAGANTAN (QUEEN IN THE OCEAN) EXHIBIT BY JULIA ESPINO
Model: Riane Capalad
Through the art of playing with light, movement, and expression, we can emulate a force of power through the delicate feminine features of a woman
What is the best part about being a local creative in the Northern Mariana Islands?
Julia: One of the most rewarding aspects of being a local artist from the CNMI is the nature of integrating culture, bond, and unity into the visuals we create. On our island, there is much to showcase to the world—even with our own people. It is truly a privilege to work alongside my fellow creatives, our community, and colleagues who share the same vision of communicating messages that empower our people, youth, and generations to come. There is something extraordinary about creating art crafted with love and unity.
I genuinely believe we are more than what we look like on the map, and we are able to share our stories and our craft with people around the world.
What are the challenges you face, and how do you overcome them?
Julia: One challenge I find apparent living on a pacific island as a creative is having limited or delayed access to resources. Although we may not have all the resources we need, we do our best with what we have. It is incredible how much we can accomplish with what we can acquire through the years to produce work at almost the same level as creatives around the globe. I genuinely believe we are more than what we look like on the map, and we are able to share our stories and our craft with people around the world.
Julia Espino
Julia Espino specializes in content creation as a photographer, videographer, and graphic artist. She is currently a Social Media Marketing Specialist at the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) Public School System (PSS) under Project HALIGI AWARE, known as PSS Mental Health. Julia's passion for digital media started through illustrations and photography in the early years of high school in the media production studio of her mentor and godfather, Jonel Alepuyo. Under his guidance and leadership, she was able to hone her skills and integrate them into the realm of videography and media marketing. Julia transcended into the professional industry and established her multimedia career through her hands-on experience working for one of the most famous hotel and retail companies recognized in the Pacific region.
On the side, she is a freelance content creator for a range of clients within her local community and non-profit organizations delivering products for weddings, and family portraits, capturing precious celebrations of families, and her favorite amongst all—producing meaningful short films. For Julia, it's not just about capturing the moment; it's taking that moment and crafting it into a piece of artwork, sending waves of belief and trust that compel her audience. In addition, Julia spends her leisure time living in paradise, scuba diving with the turtles and eagle rays in the ocean she's lived alongside all her life. Apart from enjoying home, she enjoys venturing off to travel to experience the rest of the world.