“I have purpose, you will see”
I am a visual artist and educator with over 20 years of experience working with children.
My work exists at the intersection of education, visual storytelling, and cross-cultural communication.
Through art and long-term engagement with children, I explore how people connect beyond language through gesture, image, and shared experience.
Alongside my artistic practice, I have collaborated with international artists, including ongoing visual dialogue with artists in Russia, communicating entirely through imagery without a shared spoken language.
My practice is rooted in the belief that art is not only expression, but a form of connection that can build understanding between individuals, communities, and cultures.
The following portfolio highlights projects and public programs led by the representative, forming the foundation of the organization’s current activities.
“The Earth is art
I began my career working with children over two decades ago, and this experience has shaped every aspect of my artistic practice.
Working closely with young people taught me that communication is not limited to language. It exists in observation, emotion, rhythm, and visual form. This understanding naturally led me toward visual art as a primary language.
Over the years, my practice has expanded beyond education into visual art exhibitions, community-based projects, and international collaboration.
in 2025, “The Earth is Art” was released, showing an educational journey or two siblings traveling throughout Japan creating different art forms with Earth’s resources.
Past Events
Bilingual Story time live reading Tokyo, Japan
Participated as a contributing artist and committee member, supporting programming and community engagement initiatives. Presented creative work within a multidisciplinary arts environment focused on cultural expression and public access.
Caribbean Art Festival Coquitlam, Canada
Invited by J-WAVE to participate in the Inspire Tokyo event, contributing through creative presentation and public engagement. This opportunity supported outreach to a wider Tokyo-based audience through a major cultural media platform.
Boulder Art Festival Boulder, Colorado
Showcased original creative work within a public arts festival setting, engaging diverse audiences through storytelling and visual presentation.
Colorado Black Arts Festival Denver, Colorado
Organized and led a bilingual storytime event, facilitating live readings and interactive engagement for children and families. The event focused on cultural learning through storytelling and accessible arts education.
Inspire Tokyo Japan By: JWAVE 81.3 mhz
Participated as a featured artist, presenting work within a festival centered on cultural heritage, community, and artistic exchange.
FORT COLLINS ART FESTIVAL Fort Collins, Colorado
Presented creative work as part of a regional arts festival, contributing to community-based cultural programming and public art engagement.
Featured Articles
Explore where it begun.
Meet Zuri Lioness
Published in: Bold Journey https://boldjourney.com/meet-zuri-lioness/
Date: 2024, November
Zuri Lioness, inspired by her own childhood experiences and a supportive high school teacher, published her debut children's book Accomplish! in spring 2023. The story follows a young girl named Makenna, who embraces adventure and celebrates boundless possibilities. As a woman of color and a new mother, Lioness aims to empower children of all backgrounds to recognize their full potential. She also emphasizes the importance of diverse representation in literature and the value of empathy and understanding across different cultures
Quote from Bold Journey:
“I want to show all kids there are many things you can do and countless places to go along the way.”
A Tale of Two Human Needs
Published in: Canvas Rebel
https://canvasrebel.com/meet-zuri-lioness/
Date: July 14, 2025
CanvasRebel is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems
Quote from CanvasRebel
“Being in a new country with a young child already felt like a leap into the unknown. Everyday brought small challenges, unfamiliar signs, and quiet doubts, But this night reminded me that sometimes taking risks leads to unexpected kindness.”
Accomplish: New children’s book is headed to Crestone
Published in: The Crestone Eagle
Date: 2023, May
Zuri “Lioness” Gonzalez-Huston’s debut children’s book,Accomplish, celebrates the bold and limitless spirit of children It follows Makenna, a confident young girl who explores the world, overcomes challenges, and chases her dreams. Inspired by Zuri’s desire to see more diversity in children’s literature, the book empowers young readers of all backgrounds to believe in themselves and pursue their goals fearlessly.
Quote from Crestone Eagle:
“They live without limits.” – Zuri, on the inspiring qualities of children.
Published Works
Title: “Accomplish!”
Published By: Zuri Lioness
Date: February, 2023
ISBN 979-8-88955-379-3
Published in: United States
Distributed in: US, Switzerland, UK, Ireland,
Canada, Australia, Israel, Russia
Sold in local stores and online
Japanese Version Title:
できた!
ISBN978-4-9914630-0-6
Published January, 2025
Title: “The Earth is Art” a story based in Japan
Published By: Zuri Lioness
Date: June, 2025
ISBN 979-8-89940-450-4
Published in: United States
Distributed in: US, Canada, Australia
Sold in local stores and online
Japanese Version Title:
ちきゅうはアート
ISBN978-4-9914630-1-3
Published January, 2025
“I WILL BE EVERYTHING THAT IS FOR ME”
Travel and observation of different places and cultures are an important part of my practice, informing both my artwork and the visual books I create for children, which aim to expand their sense of possibility and introduce them to a wider view of the world.
My works often reflect themes of childhood perception, memory, and human connection.
My hope is to contribute to environments where children are able to encounter the world with curiosity and openness, where visual storytelling becomes a bridge between cultures, and where imagination is supported as a way of understanding different lives and perspectives.
Across my ongoing projects and artistic practice — including educational work with children, visual storytelling books, and cross-cultural collaborations I continue to develop work that exists as a form of shared art and culture beyond language.
I aim to continue building projects that connect education, art, and lived experience into spaces of communication, reflection, and possibility.
