Summary
Born in La Paz, Bolivia, I immigrated to New York as a child, where my interest in art was fostered by my architect father. I received my BFA from C.W Post/ Long Island University in 1998 and my Masters in Education from University of Phoenix in 2006.
While completing my undergraduate work in New York, I volunteered to teach classes at a summer program at the Kumayya Indian reservation in San Diego, California. My experience at the reservation is what led me to become an art teacher. Upon completing my degree, my desire to give back to the community and my love of children led me to a teaching career. My great appreciation and admiration of the Southwest and a constant search for adventure brought me to Phoenix in 1998.
I taught art at various schools in Phoenix, while continuing to design custom metalwork and sculpture in my free time. During my time teaching I founded after school art programs to extend the arts beyond the classroom as well as to reach out to the community. In the course of developing these programs, I put together a silent auction which included donations from 40 professional artists from around the country, as well as works from the 730 students. Developed a community garden, which was built through donations and grants. The garden now has an international peace pole, one of the 180 in the world and has won numerous grants to further its development.
I organized and facilitated a series of field trips and off-campus programs with the Scottsdale Art District, Scottsdale Center for the Arts, Arizona State University, Nelson Fine Arts Center, and The Arcosanti Foundation, many of which were inaugural efforts that proved to be successful for all parties.
Feeling the need to focus on my art, I took a sabbatical from teaching which led me to working for Ironco enterprise, as a designer, fabricator, Project Manager and estimator for their arts division and then their solar division. In the three years I worked for Ironco, I learned the in’s and out of heavy steel construction, and cad design, and solar.
My passion for the arts, lead me to becoming a full time artist, having my first exhibit in Arizona in 2009. My ability to develop and organize programs, and events, desire to give back to the community, led me to being a co-founder of the Calle 16 mural project. A non – profit grass roots project to build communities through the arts. Calle 16 utilizes my ability to inspire others and organize events that builds on community and education. With this new found passion, and direction, I not only organize and paint murals for Calle 16, but have moved on to creating, organizing and curating other community murals throughout phoenix.
I am currently sitting on the board of Artlink, a non-profit organization supporting the arts in Phoenix since 1997. And have been appointed to sit on the board of The Phoenix Arts and cultural commission by the Mayor of Phoenix.
Education
Masters of Arts In Education with a Specialization in Curriculum and Instruction
University of Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ.
Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree with a Teaching Certificate
Long Island University/C.W. Post Campus Brookville, NY
Experience
2009- Current •Hugos Art, Phoenix, AZ
Self employed Artist / owner
2012- Current •The Coe House Gallery, Phoenix, AZ
Curator
2010- Current •Calle 16 Mural Project, Phoenix, AZ
Co-founder / Artist
2012- Current •Artlink Board member
2010- Current •Phoenix Commission of Arts and Culture Board member
2013- Current •Arizona State University School of Art – Faculty Assoc
2007- 2010 •IronCo Enterprises, Phoenix, AZ
Sales Engineer, PM Special Projects, Solar divison designer, Artist
2005-2007 •Madison Park School, Phoenix, AZ
Art Teacher, grades 1-8
2000-2002 •Squaw Peak Elementary School, Phoenix, AZ
Art Teacher, grades K-8
Skills
- Honors/ Awards
- 2012 •Mayor’s Art award – Public Art
- 2012 •Cox Communications Hispanic Heritage month Honoree
- 2006 •Teacher of the month, Madison Park school
- 2006 •Who’s Who among the nations teachers
- Exhibitions
- 2009 • Canciones de mi padre – Barrio Cafe
- 2010 • Cigar Rollers Barrio Cafe
- 2010 • Father / Daugther show The Ice House
- 2010 • Cigar Rollers, The Series Cubanos Cigar Lounge
- 2010 • SB1070 | An Artist Point of View” Arizona Latino Arts & Cultural Center
- 2010 • chair – Group Show Jones Studio
- 2010 • Cigar Rollers – Portraits Paisley Violin
- 2010 • Dollar Days Barrio Cafe
- 2010 • Con Passion Gallo Blanco
- 2010 • Sabor! Guitaras, Cigaros, Y Tequila! First Studio
- 2010 • Quick before it melts! , The Ice House
- 2011 • Sabor! Revisited Barrio Cafe
- 2011 • Reception to Benefit Greg Stanton for Phoenix Mayor, Kitchen Sink Studios, Inc.
- 2011 •“Caras Amadas” Xico galería,
- 2012 • UNION: ELECTRO MUSIC SHOWCASE Push Gallery
- 2012 • Cigar series – Grand Havan Cigar Club – Beverly Hills
- 2012 • “Mi Tierra” Paintings and Photos of Bolivia Barrio Cafe,,
- 2012 • The Great Paint Escape – Part 2 – 335 west McDowell
- 2012 • Guitars – new series – Gallo Blanco
- 2013 • Cigar Magazine west coast event – Newport beach calif.
- 2013 • teritro Wine bar – Mi Tierra
- 2013 The Renaissance Hotel – cigars
- 2013 • Willo North Gallery – Solo show, La Figura
- Murals
- 2010• El Jimador Barrio Cafe
- 2011• The Lot: What Should go Here
- 2011• Youth At Risk Community Mural – Phoenix
- 2012• The Great Paint Escape – harper developments, Phoenix
- 2012• Wallance and Ladmo – First studio, Phoenix
- 2012 •Hispanic Heritage Month Mural – ASU West Phoenix
- 2012 •DES mural – Mesa
- 2012 •Naranjas Mural at Vovomeena – Phoenix
- 2013 •Singh Farms Mural – Scottsdale
- 2013 •Global day of discovery Mural –The Renaissance Hotel – Phoenix
- 2013 •Hispanic Heritage Month Mural – ASU West Phoenix
- 2013 •Hispanic Heritage Month Mural – Mesa Community College
Spoken Languages
- English, Spanish
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