Today we’d like to introduce you to Sara Palma
Hi Sara, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
From the vibrant and bustling streets of Mexico City to the wide-open skies of Yakima, Washington, my journey has been anything but ordinary. Born into a family brimming with creativity, I was shaped by the passions and resilience of those around me. My grandparents were my earliest inspirations—my grandfather David Lara, an artist, musician, and supervisor specializing in telecommunications and informatics at Mexicana Airlines, infused our home with wonder. He was captivated by airplanes and the thrill of exploration, and alongside my grandmother Rosa Maria Olguin, he instilled in me a love for discovery and innovation.
Our family story is one of transformation. Starting from nothing, my grandparents worked tirelessly to build a life rooted in determination and creativity. Music was the soundtrack of our household, with my uncles David Lara, Cesar Lara and my mother Elizabeth Lara filling evenings with the strum of guitars and heartfelt songs. My Uncle Cesar Lara, an engineer and architect, became a mentor and collaborator, guiding me through projects during my Bachelor’s studies. Though I admired architecture, my heart belonged to design.
My creative spark was ignited at the tender age of four, when my grandfather handed me a set of watercolors and a camera. That simple act opened the door to a lifelong passion for art. Later, when he fell ill with cancer, I discovered another calling: to care for and uplift others. I prepared “healing beverages” for him, and those moments of tenderness planted a seed of empathy that has grown alongside my artistic pursuits.
Despite my early connection to art, it wasn’t until high school that I discovered design—a revelation that changed everything. The path wasn’t easy; when I began my Bachelor’s degree, I faced skepticism from the program director, who doubted my potential. Determined to prove myself, I took on a one-month trial and emerged more committed than ever.
Throughout my studies, I found ways to blend art, community, and innovation. Volunteering at Museo Tamayo and Museo de Arte Popular brought me closer to the art world. By the end of my degree, I had earned my first major accolade for the best project. Collaborating with the Museo Franz Mayer, I created a bilingual editorial book as my thesis, earning not just a degree but the confidence to pursue my dreams. Beyond the classroom, I worked in underserved communities, teaching across generations and launching sustainable initiatives, like repurposing old jeans into marketable bags for a small town.
Professionally, my career has been a tapestry of remarkable opportunities. From crafting the brand identity for Quebec Cine to collaborating with global giants like Coca-Cola, UNICEF, Victoria Beer, National Geographic, and many others, I’ve had the privilege of leaving my creative mark across industries. But life took an unexpected turn after my uncle David Lara passing. Grieving but resolute, I moved to the United States, arriving in Austin with no connections and nowhere to stay. It was a leap of faith that would redefine me.
Today, I am proud to serve as the Creative Director and Visual Communicator at the Mexic-Arte Museum in Austin, TX. Through my designs, I connect the community with cultural narratives, designing immersive exhibitions that celebrate heritage, spark dialogue, and bring stories to life in transformative ways. My work has been published in The Austin Chronicle, Time Out, Glasstire,National Geographic and more.
In 2023, I completed my Master’s Degree in “Challenging Branding” at LABASAD Barcelona School of Arts & Design, a testament to my commitment to pushing creative boundaries. Yet my journey has also been deeply personal. During the pandemic, I embraced meditation, a practice that reshaped my life. When my meditation teacher fell ill, I felt called to deepen my practice, completing my first teacher training and discovering a new way to serve others.
Kundalini yoga and meditation now infuse every aspect of my work. These practices have sparked new ventures, including a Spanish-language podcast aimed at sharing tools for daily life and fostering world peace. They have also inspired artistic projects that blend creativity with a deeper sense of purpose. My vision continues to expand, and I am driven by the belief that art and design are powerful tools for connection, transformation, and healing.
Last year, I faced one of the most profound losses of my life when my brother Marco David Palma passed away. In the depths of that grief, my spiritual and creative projects became both my sanctuary and my guiding light. Through every brushstroke, every design, and every moment of meditation, I found a way to channel my love for him and honor his memory. His spirit lives on in the work I create, inspiring me to keep moving forward with purpose and resilience.
This is my journey—a life of challenges, triumphs, and infinite creativity. It’s a story I hope to one day share in a book, but for now, I’m living it, one bold step at a time.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It’s been a roller coaster. I moved to the United States with nothing but a suitcase and a deep belief in transformation. I settled in Austin, Texas, drawn by its vibrant art scene, and started from the ground up, taking small jobs that helped me integrate into the creative community. Along the way, I faced challenges—navigating a new culture, working multiple jobs to fund my art, and living paycheck to paycheck. Despite these obstacles, I found strength in art and meditation, which became guiding forces in my creative journey.
My work—spanning art, design, photography, meditation sessions, cacao ceremonies and podcasting—reflects my passion, resilience, and desire to support others. Meditation deepened my creative process, turning each project into a mindful expression of intention. The loss of my brother last year was a heart-wrenching turning point, but it also became a catalyst for deeper connection and healing through my work.
Looking back, my journey is a tapestry of struggles and triumphs, all leading to a future shaped by creativity, hope, and a commitment to growth.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My work is deeply rooted in art, design, photography, cacao ceremony,Kundalini yoga, podcasting, and the ideas that come my way. It’s shaped by mindfulness and passion.
I specialize in creating art that blends visual expression with mindfulness. Whether through design, photography, podcasts, or meditation sessions, my work is intentional. I infuse creative projects with a sense of purpose, often using meditation as a tool to deepen and enrich the process.
What sets me apart is my unique blend of art and mindfulness. I create projects that are not only visually appealing but also emotionally resonant.
I am proud of my ability to stay true to my passion despite the obstacles I’ve faced. Additionally, my ability to inspire and connect with others through my art, design, photography, podcast, or meditation classes is a source of immense joy .
What truly sets me apart is the fusion of mindfulness, and creativity, making my work deeply authentic and emotionally impactful. My approach to art is not just as a form of expression, but as a way to heal. This combination of personal experience, spiritual depth, and creative passion gives my work a unique depth and sincerity, with every process created with love…
What was your favorite childhood memory?
That is a hard one. I have a lot of memories… When I lived with my grandparents they always let me be who I was in my childhood. I was really extroverted, dancing, singing, painting and jumping. My grandpa never stopped me. I can tell I was in my authentic self and felt with a lot of freedom. We love soccer because my grandpa used to watch the games. His favorite team was America and I remember when he bought the uniform and dressed up my brother Gabriel Palma and took some portraits of us after we played soccer in the neighborhood park. It is really meaningful for me that he documented every childhood memory of us with videography or photography.
Another memory one when my grandpa came back from traveling every time gifted me my favorite kinder chocolate always waited for him every time at the door waiting for him. He is really important to me …
Pricing:
- Please email to sanctuarystudiio@gmail.com for more information about sessions, workshops & cacao ceremonies
- Please email to palmstudio.creative@gmail.com for more information we are open to any kind of creative projects.
- Photography rates depends on project upon request and per project. Please email palmstudio.creative@gmail.com to get rates.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarapalms/ , https://www.instagram.com/palmstudi0/ , https://www.instagram.com/sanctuarystudi0/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sanctuarystudi0 , https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100068813803156
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarapalm9/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPLYTblz2uZB3JL9ygU0vnw and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2WmdDtZ7bU
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/sara-palm
- Other: https://www.behance.net/palms
Image Credits
Exhibitions at Mexic-Arte Museum Photos by Sara Palma
James San Miguel – Meditation Sessions at James Turrell Installation
