Jolt Action: DACA Instagram Art Show

I had the pleasure of being contacted by Jolt Action, they are “the largest Latino progressive organization in Texas, focused on building the political power and influence of young Latinos.” Jolt Action is a non-partisan organization focused on enlightening and empowering the Latinx community. They aim their efforts at mobilizing and educating the more than 11 million Latina/os in the state of Texas. They provide a wide range of services and opportunities for students, artists, educators and the general public, from training in public speaking, mobilization and digital organizing to advocating for Latinx representation and encouraging the community to vote and engage in issues that matter.

This month they hosted a virtual art show on their Instagram stories, dedicated to creating awareness for the ongoing battle to establish a permanent solution for our crippling immigration system and the safety and sanctuary for our great population of immigrants, many of whom are DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) recipients. I was fortunate enough to be one of the showcasing artists, I created a mixed media piece, composed of photography and digital media. As artists, I believe we are all authors of history, each piece we construct is a reflection of the times we’ve lived through and the experiences we’ve shared. As such, we all have the opportunity to utilize our work as a platform for change and progress. I used this opportunity to showcase my support and respect for all individuals who have shown determination and bravery on their journey to the U.S. in search of a better and safer life. Each and every DACA recipient deserves the opportunities that YOU and I take for granted as U.S. citizens. They are the hardworking people in the fields of California collecting produce during a wild fire, despite the danger to their health, they are your neighbors, your children’s school friends, they are the essential workers that have continued to work despite the current pandemic. They make our country great and as artists we have the responsibility to utilize our abilities to voice these realities and record these truths in history. To whomever needs to hear this, I am with you and I support you!

Visit Jolt Action on Instagram for the full DACA Art show!

Jolt Action

2020 NCECA Student Juried Exhibition: Virtual Tour

I ended 2019 with a bit of amazing news, my submission to the 2020 NCECA Juried Student Exhibition had been selected. I had had the pleasure and opportunity to attend that year’s NCECA Conference and was taken aback by all the incredible work that was being exhibited and all the artists I had the chance to hear and see display their work. The simple idea that I would be displaying among those same talented artists the following year absolutely excited me. Furthermore, one of the artists that inspire me the most and whos work is some of the most profound Latinx inspired and dedicated ceramic art I’d ever come across, had been on the panel of jurors who had selected my work out of 500 other submissions! Salvador Jimenez-Flores, is an incredible ceramicist and I aspire to be as dedicated and transparent/true as he is in his work.

Unfortunately, as we are all aware the current health emergency escalated to a degree that required drastic measures, which included the necessary cancellation of this years NCECA conference and later the cancellation of all other in person gallery exhibitions. Although I am deeply saddened by this outcome, I am very thankful to everyone involved in making this hard decision, it was in everyone’s best interest to stay home where they would be less at risk. I am also extremely thankful to everyone at NCECA and the panel of jurors who took the time to view my work and all other artists selected, this was a fantastic opportunity!

You can view the Virtual Exhibition by Artspace Richmond below as well as the complete 2020 NCECA Student Juried Exhibition catalogue.

La Perseveranicia. Earthenware & Patina. 2019.

The NCECA Juried Student Exhibition each year provides an opportunity for students across North America to show some of their best work. It is a chance for each student's work to be seen by the largest, most diverse and concentrated group of ceramic makers, thinkers, and exhibitors.

Encuentro En La Frontera [August 16-18, 2019]

I had the pleasure of being selected to exhibit in this years Encuentro En La Frontera, a collaborative and collective experience that involved initiating positive and affirmative action and discussion among local Rio Grande Valley artists, organizers, activists, and community members on topics such as border politics, immigration, history, social issues, etc. This initiative was brought to us and curated by Damariz Damken, a valley native and a current Masters candidate for the School of Arts and Science at New York University. Encuentro En La Frontera was designed as a safe place for individuals to be heard, collaborate and express their concerns with the current state of our borderlands region and the entire Latinx community. By producing this positive environment we were able to empower our community, aid them with our knowledge while also producing material and art that would inspire them to take initiative and mobilize toward and brighter and stronger future. One where we reclaim our border and empower one another to embrace our history and our origins. This collective was an amazing opportunity and allowed me to recognize and be a part of a community that is willing to fight and that has and will continue to persevere against all obstacles.

Source: https://www.encuentrofrontera.com/

Vessel #4 "La Perseverencia"

This entire semester has been extremely grueling, there were many instances when I second guessed myself, my capabilities and knowledge. But when it came time to create this last vessel for my timeline it was all instinct and natural. I really wanted to end my timeline on a positive note, by using these impactful and important historical events to recognize what the Latinx community has persevered against, I was able to create a vessel that embodied that success that growth. Although the Latinx community has suffered and sacrificed in the past, we have ultimately become stronger and have progressed way beyond our own expectations. We have remained grounded and bonded over our differences and our similarities and by building this piece I wanted to encourage everyone in the community to be proud of who they are and where they come from.