CURRICULUM VITAE

Education

Master of Fine Art | 2024 | University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

• Major: Visual Art (Concentration in 2D Studio Art)

• Graduate Certification: Mexican American Studies

• Bell Ringer

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Bachelor of Art | 2020 | University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

• Major: Art (Focus in Visual Art)

• Minor: Secondary School Mathematics

• Minor: Biology

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High School Diploma | 2014 | Homer Hanna High School

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Work Experience

Contributor for “X as Intersection: Writing on Latinx Art”

May 10th, 2025 – PRESENT

The U.S. Latinx Art Forum (USLAF)

Editor: Dr. Karen Mary Davalos

• Contributor for a short essay highlighting a Latinx Artist who received the USLAF Fellowship.

• Met with the selected artist for an interview to discuss their artwork.

• Provided an in-depth art analysis and description of the art, tying it to art history and art theory.

• Met deadlines and effectively communicated with the supervising guest editor and main editors for the forum.

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Freelance Writer/Art Critic                         

September 25th, 2023 – PRESENT

Glasstire Magazine

Editor: Leslie Moody Castro

• Found and kept up with current artists and exhibitions across the Valley

• Wrote detailed experiences with exhibitions and artists for profiles, exhibition reviews, and artist spotlights

• Worked in collaboration with Editor in a timely manner to meet publication deadlines

• Communicated effectively with Editor to decide on stories for each publication cycle

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Graduate Teaching Assistant (Art History)

September 1st, 2023 – May 31st, 2024

UTRGV School of Art and Design (UTRGV Edinburg Campus)

Supervisor: Dr. Katherine Moore-McAllen, Director of the UTRGV Center for Latin American Arts/Associate Professor

• Aided in grading and lesson production

• Managed emails to and from students

• Navigated office hours and assisted students with course issues

• Provided artist perspective when discussing art historical record

• Assisted in scheduling meetings with student organizations

• Provided a welcoming and communicative environment for learning

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MIRAAA Media Fest Collaborator (RGV Video Artist) 

November 22nd, 2023 – January 31st, 2024

TRUCHA

Supervisor: Josue Ramirez, Director for Trucha

• Produced Video Artwork/Film for Festival Screening

• Collaborated with Filmmaker to define direction, concept, and aesthetics of the Video Artwork/Film

• Provided artistic direction for imagery and video formatting

• Provided photography and voice work for the Video Artwork/Film

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Graduate Teaching Assistant (Art Education)

June 1st, 2023 – August 21st, 2023

UTRGV School of Art and Design (UTRGV Edinburg Campus)

Supervisor: Dr. Christen Sperry-Garcia, Assistant Professor

• Aided in grading and critiquing student work

• Assisted in reviewing journal manuscripts and conference proposals

• Assisted in research and literary review for journal manuscripts and conference proposals

• Effectively navigated university archives to locate niche research topics

• Showcased writing ability as a co-author of a manuscript

• Provided a welcoming and light atmosphere to meetings with colleagues

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Graduate Teaching Assistant (Painting)

September 1st, 2022 – May 31st, 2023

UTRGV School of Art and Design (UTRGV Brownsville Campus)

Supervisor: Gina Gwen Palacios, Associate Director/Assistant Professor

• Maintained the studio, and prioritized grading and attendance

• Led lessons regarding painting, rendering, and safety

• Used leadership capabilities in an instructor position

• Provided artistic direction and work

• Set an example for student painters on work ethic and quality control as a secondary instructor

• Provided a welcoming and communicative environment for learning

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Graduate Research Assistant (Painting)

September 1st, 2021 – May 31st, 2022

UTRGV School of Art and Design (UTRGV Brownsville Campus)

Supervisor: Gina Gwen Palacios, Associate Director/Assistant Professor

• Aided in classroom management, grading, and attendance

• Led lessons regarding painting, rendering, and safety

• Showed leadership capabilities

• Provided artistic direction and work

• Set an example for student painters on work ethic and quality control

• Provided a welcoming and communicative environment for learning

 

Commission Artist

June 9th, 2014 – PRESENT

• Communicated effectively with clientele

• Adapted to a client’s requests effortlessly

• Produced a variety of works of varying sizes and styles

• Maintained clientele for multiple projects

     Clients:

Christopher M. Chairez and Lewis Osorio w/ Luna Eats ⏐ San Antonio, Tx

• Colored stylistic logo designs/drawings for company/business; 2020-Present

Christian Molina ⏐Brownsville, Tx

• Digital logo design/drawing for company/business; 2019-2020

Daisy Garcia ⏐Brownsville, Tx

• Photorealistic, oil painting on canvas; 2019

Luis Dragustinovis ⏐Brownsville, Tx

• Photorealistic, oil painting on canvas; 2018

Selina Charles⏐Harlingen, Tx

• Abstract, watercolor painting on canvas; 2014

• Digital logo design for company/business; 2016

• Pointillism, oil painting on canvas; 2018

 

Program Coordinator Assistant (CRP)

February 15th, 2021 – August 20th, 2021

UTRGV Counseling Center (UTRGV Brownsville Campus)

Supervisor: Krystal Klein, MS, LPC Associate, LCDC

• Aided in social media management of the Collegiate Recovery Program

• Had the commitment and passion necessary to take on difficult topics regarding forms of addiction

• Showed leadership and managerial capabilities

• Provided artistic direction and work through graphic design

• Facilitated groups and programs provided by the Collegiate Recovery Program

• Curated groups to include Expressive Arts techniques and exercises

 

Peer Facilitator for Body Project

February 7th, 2020 – August 20th, 2021

UTRGV Counseling Center (UTRGV Brownsville Campus)

Supervisor: Maria Alejandra Mazariegos, LPC and Valerie M. Rivera, LCSW-S, CCTP, EMDR Certified

• Had the proper understanding of the issues surrounding Body Positivity

• Had the commitment and passion necessary to take on such a difficult topic

• Showed promising leadership capabilities and effective managerial skills

• Led and followed guided exercises to help women struggling with body image and unhealthy habits/practices surrounding their self-esteem

• Provided and promoted a positive work environment 

• Took on the role of a practical example of constructive Body Positive actions and ideas 

 

Workshop Instructor

June 29th, 2019

B & E Art Studio; Brownsville, Tx

Gallery Owner: Rebeca Arguelles

• Worked directly with students and taught them how to create pointillist paintings

• Inspired people to take an interest in learning different techniques in creating artwork

• Fostered other's inner creativity and encouraged freedom of expression

• Stayed organized and ended class on time

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Scholarships

George Truan Art Scholarship           2021-2022

UTRGV COFA Dean's Scholarship               2022

Wilcox Scholarship                                2022-2023

Oris Robertson Scholarship                          2023

REA Charitable Trust Scholarship              2023

SIPCE Conference Scholarship (COFA)     2024

UTRGV COFA Dean's Scholarship               2024

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Conferences

SIPCE Third Annual Conference                                                                  2024

National Art Education Association Conference                                     2024

College Art Association (CAA) 112th Annual Conference                      2024

Texas Art Education Association Annual Conference                            2023

6th Annual Border Studies Conference                                                      2023

Curriculum and Pedagogy Conference                                                       2023

NACCS Tejas FOCO Confronting/Resisting the Colonizer Within    2023

Reboot: Texas Association of Schools of Art (TASA)                               2023

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Exhibitions

Solo:

What Does This ALL Mean? | Rusteberg Art Gallery | Brownsville, TX 2024

First Impressionism | Carlotta K. Petrina Cultural Center| Brownsville, TX 2019

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Juried:

Mujer-Eres | Brownsville Museum of Fine Arts | Brownsville, TX 2023

In Memory of Me | Rusteberg Art Gallery | Brownsville, TX 2023

Juried Student Exhibition 2019 | Rusteberg Art Gallery | Brownsville, TX 2019

Summer 2017 Juried Show | B & E Art Studio | Brownsville, TX  2017

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Group:

Tjilatjap International Film Festival (TJIFF) | Cilacap Plaza | Cilacap, Central Java - Indonesia 2025

Silver Jell-o: Film Photography Art Show | The Comminos Center for the Arts | Harlingen, TX - USA 2024

MIRAAA Media Festival | Laredo Center for the Arts | Laredo, TX - USA 2024

MIRAAA Media Festival | Entre Film Center | Harlingen, TX - USA 2024

ReKarya: International Video Festival | Satria Gallery | Purwokerto, Central Java - Indonesia 2023

Re-Fest | CultureHub Virtual Gallery | Los Angeles, California - USA 2023

Re-Fest | CultureHub Virtual Gallery | New York City, New York - USA 2023

Re-Fest | CultureHub Virtual Gallery | Arium 2023

Nandur Srawung #9 |Taman Budya Yogyakarta| Yogyakarta, Central Java - Indonesia 2022

For the Love of Cats! |La Chichara Art Studio| Brownsville, TX - USA 2022

ReKarya: International Video Festival |Satria Gallery| Purwokerto, Central Java - Indonesia 2022

MFA Pop-Up Exhibit |Charles and Dorothy Clark Gallery| Edinburg, TX - USA 2022

Dysfunctionalism | B & E Art Studio| Brownsville, TX 2019

1st Annual Art Auction Fundraiser| B & E Art Studio| Brownsville, TX 2019

Comprehensive Affliction: Senior Exhibit I | Rusteberg Art Gallery | Brownsville, TX  2018

One: A Collective Art Exhibition | Platform 204 | Harlingen, TX  2018

Mujeres | Carlotta K. Petrina Cultural Center | Brownsville, TX  2016

Mujeres | Narciso Martinez Cultural Arts Center | San Benito, TX  2016

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Curator:

Patchwork: A UTRGV Student Collaboration | Rusteberg Art Gallery | Brownsville, TX - USA 2022

Patchwork: A UTRGV Student Collaboration | Charles and Dorothy Clark Gallery | Edinburg, TX - USA 2022

Rusteberg Open House Festival Exhibition| Rusteberg Art Gallery | Brownsville, TX - USA 2022

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Juror:

BISD 46th Annual Art Contest | Brownsville Museum of Fine Art | Brownsville, TX - USA 2024

Perkins Middle School Juried Exhibition | Perkins Middle School | Brownsville, TX - USA 2023

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Publications

Peer-Reviewed Journals/Book Chapters:

Garcia, C. S., & Sotomayor, L. C., & Sandoval, K. (2024). Visual pláticas: An Anzaldúan art praxis. Chicana/Latina Studies: The Journal of Mujeres Activas en Letras y Cambio Social. pp. 94-119. KGL Press.

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Garcia, C. S., & Rangel, A.A., Vite, L. I., Sandoval, K. Cano, N. Flores Tavizón, M. & Grimaldo, K. (2024). CURRICUL-ARTE: Artist acts of autohistoria-teoría within borderlands espacios. In A. B. Pratt, K. Donley, S. Hatch, & S. L. Tharp, & F. Calderon-Berumen (Eds.), Walking Away: Refusing and Resisting Reactionary Curriculum Movements, pp. 219–243. Information Age Publishing.

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Articles:

Nostalgia in Alexandria Canchola’s “Memories Blurred with Fiction” at the Brownsville Museum of Fine Art | Review | Glasstire (Magazine) 2024

Highlighting Border Narratives: MIRAAA Media Fest is a 956/International Border Film Festival | Profile | Glasstire (Magazine) 2023

Histories Beneath the Surface: The Flower Shop Residency in Brownsville, Texas | Profile | Glasstire (Magazine) 2023

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Art:

“The Adventure”| UTRGV Annual Comics Contest |Gallery (Magazine) 2021

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Artist Talks

Transbordering Art Methodologies: Artist Practice Complexities in Transborder Spaces | 6th Annual International Conference on Border Studies | Edinburg, TX - USA 2023

Latina Border Art in Theory: Nepantla | NACCS TEJAS FOCO Conference | Brownsville, TX - USA 2023

Nāḥāš (נחש‎) | UTRGV Engaged Scholar Showcase 2021 | Brownsville, TX - USA 2021

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Sessions, Panels, & Lectures

Moderator:

What Makes Someone a Border Artist? // Sandoval // Pardo // Ceccopieri // Cortez // Davalos | CAA Conversations Podcast: Season 9, Episode 7 | CAA Podcasts 2025

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Chair:

Latina Border Art in Theory | CAA 12th Annual Conference | Chicago, IL - USA 2024

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Panelist:

​Chicana Art Theory and Wildlife Conservation | Chautauqua On Rio: Summer Lecture Series | Brownsville, TX - USA 2024

Chicana Art Theory and Wildlife Conservation | SIPCE Third Annual Conference for Interdisciplinary Research | Edinburg, TX - USA 2024

Integrating Asset Based and Culturally Affirming Pedagogies | National Art Education Association Conference | Minneapolis, MN - USA 2024

Contemporary Inquiry in Art Education Research | Texas Art Education Association Conference | Allen, TX - USA 2023

Culturally Affirming Latinx Art Pedagogies | Texas Art Education Association Conference | Allen, TX - USA 2023

Performing Latina/x Informed Visual Art Pedagogies | Curriculum & Pedagogy Conference | State College, PA - USA 2023