David Cleofas Avila
Leading a #stigmafree life as a schizophrenia advocate, striving to provide hope, through the arts, for individuals whom are diagnosed with serious and persistent mental illness, and their families.
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B.A. Psychology;
Sonoma State University (2008)
Resident of Earth since 1975
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With peace, love, and understanding, there is...
Hope for Tomorrow!
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Welcome!
© David Cleofas Avila. All rights reserved.
David started his music journey as a teen with chopsticks and a broken guitar. A gift of a harmonica on his 20th birthday built up that drive. Playing bongos at a regular drum circle nearly a decade later led to group dynamic confidence. Woodshedding his harmonica turned into writing songs and performing, followed by recording and forming a band.ASCAP member, David Cleofas Avila has made his music available for listening and download at Bandcamp via the link on this page. The song Driftwood Sunburn has been highlighted by the online journal of disability and literature, Wordgathering.Peace!
Visual Arts
Recognized by National Arts and Disability Center at UCLA with a grant to develop painting.Work priced by Ames Gallery and included in the Susan Fleming family collection curated by L. Marx.Art published in Peatsmoke Journal, Gabby & Min (cover), NUNUM, Harpur Palate, and more.Love!
Publications & Credits
Art:
Peatsmoke Journal, Gabby & Min, NUNUM, The Words Faire, È-phemeros Project, Harpur Palate, Eleventh Hour Literary, Reservoir Road Literary Review, PHIL LIT (Summer 2026).Music:
Bandcamp.Poetry:
Magnets and Ladders, Breath & Shadow, eMerge Magazine, The Poetry Cove, Flora Fiction, Poetry for Mental Health, Braver Collective, Assignment Literary Magazine, Art/s & Theology, Dissident Voice, Oddball Magazine.Books:
Lightward Home***Credits:
David’s art has been priced by Ames Gallery, awarded a grant by the National Arts and Disability Center UCLA, and resides in the Susan Fleming family collection, curated by L. Marx,
Writing
David supports The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) by donating 10% of his writing proceeds to their efforts."I attribute my writing ability to my teachers, professors, and my mother, whose reading to me at an early age imbued imagination and love for books."Understanding!