BIOGRAPHY

Danny Zapata is a visual storyteller and emerging media artist whose work explores themes of mental health, emotional resilience, and the importance of safe spaces in people’s lives. Raised in Crookston, Minnesota, Danny first became involved with In Progress through their cousins. Although said cousins eventually moved away, their involvement introduced them to the organization and sparked his own interest in creative media and storytelling.

Through In Progress, Danny discovered the power of art as a tool for reflection and communication. One of their early projects was participation in the Borderlines project, a collaborative initiative that explored both personal mental health experiences and broader social issues surrounding the U.S.–Mexico southern border. As part of that work, Danny contributed to the 2018 video project Cries of the Children, which examined the human impact of border policies and the emotional realities faced by families and young people affected by displacement and separation.

Danny’s creative work often begins with personal experience and emotional inquiry. Their current project, titled Yellow, explores the idea of comfort, safety, and joy. The project asks participants to reflect on a person, place, or memory that brings them a sense of peace and belonging—what Danny describes as “their Yellow.” By centering moments of warmth and emotional connection, the project highlights how people find stability and hope in their everyday lives.

Looking ahead, Danny hopes to develop a larger body of work that focuses directly on mental health and the stigma that often surrounds it. They believe creative storytelling can help open conversations that many people struggle to start. By bringing visibility to topics such as anxiety, depression, and emotional wellbeing, Danny hopes to encourage people to speak openly about their experiences and to feel less alone when seeking support.

Through photography and media production, Danny continues to explore how visual storytelling can help people better understand themselves and each other. Their work reflects a growing commitment to using art as a space for honesty, healing, and connection.

Qualifications

Danny Zapata has experience in DSLR portrait photography and visual composition. They are proficient in post-production editing using Adobe Lightroom and Adobe Photoshop, which they use to enhance and refine their photographic work.

skills

• DSLR portrait photography

• software applications: Adobe Light Room and Photoshop

links

• email: malloriezapata7@gmail.com

• video: Satisfaction