Greetings ALMA Family,
Happy 2021! It was around this time last year that the world slowed down. As a high school art teacher and a parent of an elementary aged child, it was crazy to see the schools shut down as they did. Here we are about a year later, still in remote learning, working and even creating.
Let me briefly introduce myself. I was born here in Albuquerque, raised in Las Cruces, NM and have family in Laguna Pueblo. I moved to Albuquerque after college in 2003 and have been here ever since. Albuquerque was right in the middle of where I wanted to be. Not far from Laguna Pueblo, just a quick few hour drive to Las Cruces, but with many more options of food, entertainment and nightlife 😉 I was fresh out of college with a BFA in Ceramics and was trying to figure out my next step. I was able to find a studio for trade at Coyote Clay and Studio, which then turned into a full time job for about 7 years. I decided a few years after I moved here that I wanted to go back to school and applied at UNM for an MA in Art Education. I figured out during my undergrad I really enjoyed working with younger folks to share what I knew. In winter 2008 I received my Masters in Art Education w/Distinction. It was in summer 2009 that I started with the Mayor’s Art Summer Institute as a part time lead artist. As well as began my first year teaching art and ceramics at a local charter high school. Here I am, 12 years later, still currently employed by both of them.
Over the years I have learned so much from our summer program, like how to run a public art program, grant writing and how to collaboratively create a cohesive large scale handmade tile mural. Not going to lie, it hasn’t been easy, especially trying to juggle all of life’s demands of having multiple jobs, doing my own individual artwork and having a family. Mom/artist is hard work, but wouldn’t be possible without a really great support system. Thank you to Keith Scott, my partner in life, my family and friends who have been an amazing support for me in this creative journey. To all the moms out there, you got this!