Smashbox Cosmetics launches residency program for artists

By

Jennifer Braun

Published
Apr 11, 2022

Smashbox Cosmetics has launched a new residency program supporting artists who seek to redefine today's beauty standards.

Dubbed 'Smashbox Open Studios', the four-week incubator provides artists with premium resources to create. 

Three artists were invited to participate in the inaugural residency including Uzumaki Cepeda, who creates faux-fur environments designed as safe havens for communities of color; Gabriela Ruiz, a mixed media artist who works with vibrant color palettes to explore ideas of self, home, and environment; and Randijah Simmons, a photographer and co-founder of community creative studio The Babe Cave LA.

Each artist received a grant to invest in materials, tools, and resources to bring their visionary projects to life. Artists were also introduced to Smashbox Cosmetics veterans who provided guidance on photography, lighting, branding and design, and more. 

"I wanted to create a culture. Not just a studio. I didn't want to exclude anybody. I wanted to plant a seed so people could grow, and that meant everyone was welcome,” said Davis Factor, founder and SVP of global creative at Smashbox Cosmetics.

At the end of the program, the cohort unveiled on March 31, 2022, three new projects that push boundary-breaking beauty standards across cultures, generations, and genders.

For her Smashbox Open Studios project, Uzumaki built a walk-in installation that explores her own beauty ideals. Randijah's project was a portrait series that explored the innovation and evolution of Black beauty, while Gabriela's collection of portraits reimagined beauty ideals from an altered point of view. 

Smashbox said it will continue to share content across its social media to showcase artists' projects, their communities, and their journeys in evolving beauty standards.