How would you describe your artistic practice?

I make soft sculptures and mixed-media paintings. I like to use natural fibers and create something out of nothing (or out of something else) in the most laborious way possible — like by weaving. My work questions cultural identity, consumerism and time-based labor in relation to my experience as a 3rd generation Chicana. I also create opportunities for learning and cultural exchange, like a film club en español or my podcast.

How have you collaborated with CUP before?

I collaborated with CUP on a City Studies project at ICHS in 2019. We investigated wage theft and created a booklet that explains wage theft, how to prevent it, and the rights of the worker. It was really amazing to work with the ICHS students and create something together. I also created a video for CUP’s CUPHomeMovies and worked with another CUP teaching artist to develop that project.

How did collaborating with CUP impact your work moving forward? What are some takeaways from your collaborations with CUP?

I learned how to effectively develop an art curriculum and how to collaboratively design, create, and plan a printed booklet. I also learned that students know much more than they say and that the impact of CUP programs goes well beyond the classroom for the students and teaching artist.

What was it like working on a project remotely? What advice would you give other Teaching Artists about collaborating remotely?

Working on a project remotely is both harder and easier. It’s easier in that you can be more flexible about scheduling a meeting since you do not have to physically go from point a to point b, but it is harder because meeting online is not nearly as fulfilling as meeting in person and it is easy to overwhelm yourself with meetings or online talks.

I suggest taking breaks from the computer and maintaining studio days when you can work things out without having to be online. I also suggest bringing the screen into the studio so you can create with others at the same time in virtual space, which I know is exactly the opposite of what I just wrote. I’m still figuring this all out and it requires balance.

Choose your tools wisely. There are a million programs and apps, but if you haven’t figured out how and why you are doing something, the app or program will not fix the problem.

Be clear about expectations and deadlines. I really appreciate that CUP not only sets realistic deadlines and clear expectations, but also follows through on them. It’s hard to collaborate with someone if they don’t do what they say they are going to do when they say they are going to do it.

What is a project you’re working on now – outside of CUP – that you’re excited to reveal soon?

I’m working on the second season of my podcast First Coat, which explores the relationship between art, public space, and real estate development. I’m trying to create more transparency in the public art world and get more women and BIPOC artists hired for public art commissions, especially those funded by real estate developers. In season two I’ll share how I curate and project manage site specific art projects, which is what I do with my business Distill Creative. Here’s the link to the first season, which features interviews with mural artists from around the world: Distillcreative.com/firstcoat.