Conversation between Storefront Window Artist Lizzy Sour and Artist AGONZA
Elizabeth Jweinat, aka Lizzy Sour, is a Providence-born artist with Jordanian roots, whose
work transforms public spaces into vibrant, abstract canvases. Her distinctive style, developed from
a lifelong love of freehand drawing, blends shape, color, and typography into a unique visual language.
A RISD graduate, community organizer, and mentor, Lizzy is dedicated to supporting marginalized
artists and fostering creative expression in the next generation. Through her murals, sculptures,
and diverse artistic mediums, she weaves together her Middle Eastern heritage and the dynamic spirit
of her city.
Below is a convo between Lizzy and artist AGONZA
AGONZA: For those who may not be familiar with your work as an artist, could you please describe
your style and aesthetic? Additionally, how would you categorize the genre of your artwork?
Lizzy Sour: I consider myself an interdisciplinary abstract artist. My work is rooted in vibrant color,
playful form, and often carries a pop art sensibility. I pull from a range of mediums—sculpture,
printmaking, textiles—to explore shape, pattern, and visual rhythm in both two and three dimensions.
A: Have you always been involved in creating art? If not, when and how did you discover your passion
for art and begin identifying as an "artist"?
L: I’ve been making art since I was a child, but my passion was deeply shaped by my father’s story.
He was an artist in Jordan, and as a teen, his work was exhibited by the Queen of Jordan, who then
funded his studies in Italy. That story has always stuck with me and inspired me to create. It wasn’t until
high school that I really began to take my art seriously. My time at New Urban Arts opened the door
for me to explore murals, printmaking, metalwork, and eventually launch my own brand, Lizzy Sour.
My mother also supported me fiercely, encouraging me to pursue my creativity. I interned at both NUA
and the AS220 Printshop, and those experiences laid the foundation for my formal education at RISD,
where I earned my BFA in Sculpture and MA in Art + Design Education.
A: Do you prefer creating art intended for gallery settings or public art installations?
L: Honestly, I enjoy both for different reasons. I love the community impact of public art—it’s
accessible, interactive, and can transform spaces. But after a decade of large-scale projects,
they’ve taken a physical toll. In contrast, studio work for gallery settings gives me a sense of
peace. It’s more introspective, and I can create without thinking too much about how it will be
received, which brings a different kind of freedom.
A: How did you come up with this idea for the current window installation for the Dirt Palace, and is
there any message to it?
L: I was inspired by vintage carnival signs and billboards with big, glowing bulbs. I wanted to
channel that nostalgia and energy into my own visual language, which led to the 3D cardboard
letters spelling out “SOUR” against a backdrop of my signature all-over print shapes. This was
also my first time integrating typography into my sculptural work, so it was a fun and
experimental process for me.
A: I have noticed a consistent use of linework in your pieces, such as the background of the
window installation. What inspired this particular technique?
L: My love for linework started way back in elementary school. I remember an art assignment
where we had to create a drawing using a single continuous line, and that challenge really stuck
with me. Since then, those one-line drawings have evolved into abstract shapes that I continue to
use across all my work—from prints to murals to sculpture.
A: How has your artistic style evolved?
L: I see my style as a visual language that keeps expanding. My shapes started in drawing and
painting, then found new forms in printmaking and apparel. Eventually, they became 3D in the
form of furniture and plaster sculptures. Now, I’m pushing that language further into typography
and letterforms—it’s always growing and morphing with me.
A: In your opinion, what is the most effective way to support fellow artists? Who has been a
significant source of support for you throughout your career?
The best way to support fellow artists is to show up—go to their shows, swing by their markets,
repost their work, share their names with people who need creatives, or just hang out in their
studio while they work. For me, my biggest supporters have been my family and close friends
who show up for me in those ways. Being an artist truly takes a village, and I’m endlessly
grateful for the people who’ve stood beside me and offered a helping hand when I needed it
most.
A: If the younger you time-traveled to sit beside you right now, what would you tell them?
L: I’d tell them: even if people say you work harder than anyone they know—do more. There were
times when I let small things get in the way, and I wish I had learned earlier to let go and stay focused
on what really matters—my passion, my vision, my craft. Keep going. You’re building something real.
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AGONZA is a Dominican & Puerto Rican Artist, born in Providence RI. AGONZA is a
2015 Graduate of the University of Rhode Island with a Major in Fine Arts Design and a Minor in Theater Design. In her early years of muralism, she juggled multiple jobs. Although maintained employment working in human resources since 2014 while still pursuing painting. She has made history in Providence RI by being the first Muralist to complete 2 exterior murals side by side in 2021 at Providence Housing Authorities where she grew up. In 2022 she was then one of the 6 BIPOC artists to complete the largest mural in RI. On February 24th, 2023, she was awarded by the state of Rhode Island for an outstanding contribution to the Dominican Arts. Finally, on June 15 2024 AGONZA was selected as an awardee of the Black Lives Matter Rhode Island Annual Juneteenth Awards Ceremony for her outstanding contributions and efforts toward promoting social justice, racial equity, and equality for all.
She continues to use her knowledge of social work and her personal life to connect with her
community through her art. She shares all her artwork via social media Platforms mostly on
INSTAGRAM, known as @AGONZAART.
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