2008 Theater of the Oppressed Workshops, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
2004 Master of Fine Arts and Integrated Media, California Institute of the Arts, Valencia, CA
2002 Summa Cum Laude, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore, MD
1998-2000 Associate’s Degree, Sculpture Major, New World School of the Arts, Miami, FL
1995-1996 Latin American Literature, Art History, Epistemology, Aesthetics. Universidad de la Republica, Montevideo, Uruguay
1993-1994 Graphic and Industrial Design, Instituto Superior de Diseño Industrial, Havana, Cuba
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE IN EDUCATION, ARTS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
2008-present Part-Time Faculty, CalArts School of Theater
Teaching undergraduate-level coursework on arts and activism. Students explore the connections between social justice, civic participation and artistic and community-based practices, and acquire a contextual understanding of historical and contemporary artistic, political, social and urban factors relevant to social change and community organizing. Students interact and collaborate with a network of LA, San Diego and Tijuana-based community organizations, artists, performers and scholars working to advance social justice locally, nationally and transnationally.
2006-2010 Assistant Director of Programs, CalArts Community Arts Partnership (CAP), Valencia, CA.
In collaboration with CAP’s Director provide leadership and support to the staff, faculty, CalArts student instructors and programs with 41 schools, community partners, and city and county agencies in Los Angeles County. Participate in long-term planning for curricular and program development, sustainability, institutional integration, visibility and infrastructure of the program. Ensure ongoing assessment of educational programs and partnerships. In collaboration with Director establish vision, mission and strategic direction of the CAP programs. Set annual goals and objectives with program staff, deans, faculty, other CalArts departments, school districts and community partners. Design and implement pedagogy training forums for CAP program instructors and certified teachers. Design visiting artist forums. Supervise all CAP program coordinators, instructors, and CAP events.
1999-Present Exhibiting Artist
Exhibited artwork in more than 50 group and solo art exhibitions throughout the United States, and in Cuba, Israel, Uruguay and Mexico in museums, galleries and public spaces such as the Museum of Contemporary Arts/Los Angeles, CUNY Center Arts Gallery, San Jose Biennial, Havanna Biennial, Estacion Tijuana, among others.
2006-2009 Part Time Faculty, CalArts School of Art
Taught undergraduate-level coursework on relational, public and context-specific art practices. Students actively engaged their socio-political-critical contexts while creating individual and collective site-specific projects in the school’s surrounding neighborhoods. Students learned about the history of relational, dialogic and audience-centered hybrid practices. Through visits, forums and collaboration with LA-based arts collectives and community leaders students were trained in collaboration models, leadership, and community engagement.
2004-2009 Visiting Artist
New World School of the Arts in Miami, California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, the CEART in Mexicali, UCLA in Los Angeles, the University of Texas in Dallas, the Instituto Superior de Diseño Industrial in La Habana, and Marlborough School in Los Angeles
2008-2009 Panelist
Be The Change!, REDCAT Theater, Los Angeles, CA (Panel Moderator)
Raices de La Ceiba: Cuban Women Artists Share the Roots that Connect Them and Inspire Their Creative Landscape, Arts in the One World Conference, Los Angeles, CA
Motherhood and Revolution, Arts in the One World Conference, Los Angeles, CA
Show Up!, REDCAT Theater, Los Angeles, CA (Panel Moderator)
2008-2009 Editor and Artistic Director
Worked with young Los Angeles writers, teachers and professional graphic designers to produce writing anthologies such as Hart to Heart, Riding the Circle (3 volumes), Freeway Dreams and Food For Thought.
2004-2006 Public Programs Coordinator, CalArts Community Arts Partnership (CAP), CalArts, Valencia, CA
In collaboration with the CAP leadership, established the strategic direction of CAP public programs and increased public awareness of CAP programs to a wider audience locally, nationally, and internationally. Scheduled, produced and managed over 50 concerts, performances, screenings, exhibitions, and CAP productions annually featuring the work of hundreds of youth participants and instructors. Supervised all personnel involved on a CAP event, exhibition or workshop including artists, musicians, contractors, caterers, drivers, technicians, and students. Organized and installed all CAP art exhibitions and developed didactic materials for the public. Provided event management, production and technical detail tracking for all CAP events including set-up, logistics, rental equipment, and production requirements such as audio, lighting, recording, videotaping, and photo documentation.
2003-04 Animation and Drawing Instructor, CalArts Community Arts Partnership (CAP), Center for the Arts Eagle Rock, SPMAP Animation Program, Eagle Rock, CA
Taught animation workshops for middle school-age youth participants covering a myriad of animation and drawing techniques. With co-instructors, oversaw the design and production of original video and animation projects created by workshop participants.
2003-04 Teaching Assistant to CalArts School of Art faculty Millie Wilson, CalArts, Valencia, CA
With faculty Millie Wilson, led critiques and group discussions for courses on feminist theory, film history, identity and representation.
CURATORIAL EXPERIENCE
2009
Postborder Proposals, Boathouse Gallery, Plaza de la Raza, Los Angeles, CA
Free Free Market, Friends of Contemporary Art Gallery, Los Angeles
Modes of Operation, University of Texas at Dallas, Texas
2008
StayBite, Artists for Social Justice, Mint Gallery, California Institute of the Arts, Valencia, CA
2006
The Art of the Book, Miami Dade Main Public Library, Miami, FL
Nowhere better than this place/Somewhere better than this place, 9th Havanna Biennial, La Habana, Cuba
On Home Project, Suarez Residence, La Habana, Cuba
2004
In Place of Place, Gonzalez Residence, Los Angeles, CA
There is No Place Like Place, Maya Residence, Tel Aviv, Israel
OTHER PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES AND SERVICE
2010 Founder and program director, NOMAD LAB
2007-Present Founder and member, Artists for Social Justice Collective
2006-Present Co-founder and member, Valle del Oro Neighborhood Committee
2005-Present Member, CalArts ICAP and Diversity Committees
2005 Member, BLAM! Collective
2004-2006 Founder and curator, One Night Gallery
2001-2002 President, Hispanic Club, Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore, MD
AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION
Community-based and context-specific hybrid arts practices/ Socially-engaged arts and activism/ Dialogic, relational and interactive arts/ Multidisciplinary pedagogy/ Theater of the Oppressed and Pedagogy of the Oppressed/ Visual and multimedia arts/ Community partnerships/ Public Art/ Adult and youth education/ Implementation of arts and pedagogical training programs for youth and adults/ Community organizing/ Demonstrated interest and experience across all arts disciplines and knowledge of contemporary art, theatre, music, dance, visual arts, photography, animation, writing and film-video