Bleach Lopez, a creative director from Mission, launched the Creative Social Club this summer, a new initiative aimed at fostering a supportive and inclusive community for local creatives.
The group held its first meeting at Nerve Coffee in McAllen and collaborates with grassroots businesses to host events.
In an interview with The Rider, Lopez said seeing the potential and creativity in the people around her, even in simple everyday moments, motivates her to “give people their flowers” and help them receive the recognition and support they need to thrive in a creative field.
Inspiration behind the club came when she realized she had “a big problem like a lot of the other people here in the [Rio Grande] Valley do, especially with the creative scene.”
“And, it was basically finding a safe networking … society … that you could truly be genuine with your intentions,” she said.
Lopez, who has been freelancing as a creative director since 2022 in the Valley and later in New York City, has witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by local talent, including being “taken advantage of” and not receiving fair compensation.
“There’s a lot of, you know, for lack of better words, there’s a lot of predators here in all aspects,” she said.
Determined to create a safe space for creatives, Lopez established the Creative Social Club with the mission of “getting people started on whatever career they might want.”
She envisions the club as a “middleman” that can provide guidance and support, rather than a top-down leadership structure.
“I’m not so much trying to be a leader for them, but more so trying to be the middleman,” Lopez said. “Because in that aspect, all of them are going to be leaders in their own way.”
The club’s vision includes building business relationships and fostering a supportive community, drawing inspiration from the “it takes a village” mentality prevalent in Hispanic culture.
Model and Pharr resident Jair Maldonado said the Creative Social Club has been a transformative experience for him.
“I have met amazing people, and they have actually helped me … improve my portfolio and my reputation as a model,” Maldonado said.
He credited Lopez with boosting his self-confidence in modeling and runway walking.
Maldonado’s involvement with the Creative Social Club has not only nurtured his personal growth but also has provided him with a platform to connect with like-minded individuals and further his goal of incorporating the “male essence” into the art of modeling.
“I want to incorporate modeling into art itself, not make it seem like just money or business,” he said. “I want it to be something that you can create as an artist, as a creator … as a form of expression.”
Looking to the future, Lopez plans to expand the club beyond the Valley, bringing the Creative Social Club to New York, Houston and California.
“I intend to grow it and expand it to other places, and maybe, you know, get other leaders in other states, and have them host it from there,” she said.
Mentoring young and aspiring creatives is a key focus for Lopez, who aims to build confidence and provide a supportive environment for members.
“I just want them to have that confidence wherever they are, and that’s what I truly want to see for them in the future,” she said.
The Creative Social Club held an “intro to modeling” class Sunday at Mobar in Edinburg. It will host a “show and tell” at 6 p.m. Friday at Baby Arcade and Tarts and Hearts, located at 519 S. Main St., Unit 70, in McAllen. Attendees are encouraged to bring pieces of their own creative work or projects to showcase and receive feedback.
Lopez said all the events and workshops are free and welcomes new members.
“A lot of the people who are coming to my events are either people who are going to school, you know, more focused on that, or don’t have time for a job,” she said.
Lopez said her main mission is to provide as much free education as possible.
“No one should have to pay for something as small as, you know, this person walking into a Fashion Week room,” she said, referring to open calls and auditions.
Lopez plans to charge membership fees in the future, but only for those who decide to become “teachers” and contribute to the club. Her goal is to keep the basic education and opportunities free and accessible for as many creatives as possible.
To learn more about the Creative Social Club and upcoming events, follow its Instagram handle @crtvsocclub.
