Today we’d like to introduce you to Annie Espejo Acosta.
Hi Annie, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always been a creative soul, but for a long time I didn’t see creativity as something that could lead a life. I saw it as something that supported one. Like many artists, I spent years navigating the tension between practicality and passion, learning how to honor my gift while also building stability. It’s been a battle for sure.
Bedside’s the fact that I have been drawing and painting since very young, Photography was one of my first professional creative outlets. It taught me how to see people; not just how they look, but who they are. Over time, that perspective expanded beyond the camera. I realized I wasn’t just drawn to creating art; I was drawn to creating spaces for art. Spaces where artists feel seen, valued, and connected. Spaces I wish I had access to in my earlier years. That vision eventually became Common Vibe Art House, a platform built to cultivate intentional community, curated experiences, and meaningful opportunities for artists. A space for true connection to share a common vibe.
The journey hasn’t been overnight or linear. It’s been built through resilience, reinvention, and a lot of sleepless nights. I’ve had to learn how to trust myself, how to lead, how to curate with intention, how to set boundaries, and how to think long-term about legacy instead of short-term recognition.
Today, I see myself not just as an artist, but as a creative architect. I am drafting ideas, gathering resources and building platforms, not just projects. My work centers around elevating artists, honoring originality, and proving that community-driven creativity can be both impactful and sustainable. And I still feel like I’m just getting started.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Is there such thing as a smooth road for a creative journey? I think the instability of that road is exactly what has made my creativity broader.
There have been seasons where things felt uncertain in so many ways than just one; financially, emotionally, even creatively. Choosing to build something rooted in art and community instead of taking the “safer” route comes with real pressure. There were moments where I questioned whether I was being responsible or just idealistic. Moments where I invested into events, installations, or collaborations and didn’t know if the return would justify the risk. Many times, it didn’t, but every time it has been worth it.
I’ve also had to confront self-doubt in a very real way. Stepping into leadership, curating shows, organizing art calls, directing creative spaces, meant stepping into visibility. And to me, visibility is equal to vulnerability. You’re not just sharing your work; you’re sharing your vision. Not everyone understands it right away. Not everyone values it. Learning not to shrink in those moments has been a personal battle.
There were disappointments too. Partnerships that didn’t align, opportunities that didn’t materialize the way I hoped, and situations that tested my principles. I’ve had to learn how to be confident in my standards and stand firm even when it would have been easier to push them aside. It’s been that instability that has stretched me. It forced me to innovate, to pivot, to think bigger. If it had been smooth, I don’t think I would have grown the same way.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
At my core, I am an artist first, then a director, curator, and experience architect. I build platforms that prove there’s more than one way to create impact in the art world.
Yes, I took on the titles of Creative Director and Curator, but more than that, I’m a systems thinker. Through Common Vibe Art House, I design exhibitions and creative experiences that center real connection, not gatekeeping, not ego, not outdated ideas of what makes art “valid.” I specialize in turning vision into tangible, community-driven ecosystems where artists aren’t just participants, they’re collaborators.
With my role as the creative director for The ArtDrip Dealer, I challenge the hierarchy between fine art and fashion. A canvas on a wall and art on a tee carry the same power if the intention is strong. I’m interested in shifting perception, in showing people that collectability, value, and cultural impact aren’t defined by traditional institutions, but by resonance and story.
But what I’m most proud of isn’t a title or a credential. It’s the fact that artists trust me. It’s that people feel something when they walk into a space I’ve curated. It’s that the work sparks conversation and invites new audiences into art without intimidation.
There’s this idea that to be “known” as a creative, you need certain qualifications, certain approvals, certain co-signs. I don’t subscribe to that at all. You can have all the credentials in the world, but if you’re not genuinely connecting with your public, the impact is limited. I believe authenticity builds more longevity than prestige ever will. And it’s probably this same mindset that sets me apart. I’m not trying to fit into an existing model and hop on the current trending lanes. I’m building my own lanes with the support of family, friends and patrons standing ready with the resources at hand to pave the way. Lanes where community matters as much as curation. Where integrity matters more than hype. And where artists don’t have to shrink themselves to be taken seriously.
There isn’t one way to do this. I’m here to prove that.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
Orlando has become my new home and I am such a fan of its potential. There’s so much talent here. Visual artists, designers, musicians, photographers, curators and it doesn’t feel oversaturated in a way that suffocates creativity. It feels like a city that’s still becoming. That excites me. There’s room to build here. Room to experiment. Room to create culture instead of just consuming it.
I also love the diversity. Different backgrounds, different influences, different creative languages. That mix creates space for collaboration that feels fresh and dynamic. You can see the hunger in the creative community. People want to connect. They want to grow. They want to be part of something meaningful.
Now for every like there is usually a dislike, and for me, it’s the fact that there are so many gifted artists in this city who don’t yet have the resources, the professional polish, or the connections and because of that, they get overlooked. Not because they lack talent, but because they lack access. I think sometimes we confuse structure with value.
I’d love to see more intentional investment in emerging creatives. Mentorship, infrastructure, education around the business side of art, so that talent isn’t filtered out simply because someone didn’t start with the right tools.
That’s part of why I do what I do. I don’t just want to curate finished products; I want to help cultivate growth. Orlando has the talent. We just need to widen the lens of who we choose to champion.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.commonvibearthouse.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/commonvibearthouse/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CommonVibeArtHouse
