About the artist

I was born in La Paz, Bolivia, and immigrated to New York as a child, where my artistic journey and educational pursuits began. I obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts from C.W. Post/Long Island University in 1998 and a Master of Arts in Education from the University of Phoenix in 2006. My commitment to community-based art education was shaped by a formative experience volunteering on the Kumeyaay Indian Reservation during my college years. In 1998, I moved to Phoenix to teach art and design, custom metalwork, and sculpture. I established after-school programs and formed partnerships to connect students with local art institutions. My experience at Ironco Enterprise further developed my expertise in steel construction, CAD design, and project management. In 2009, I transitioned to full-time artistry with my first solo exhibition in Arizona and co-founded the Calle 16 Mural Project, which empowers neighborhoods through community murals. My involvement also includes roles with Artlink and the Phoenix Arts and Cultural Commission. I currently reside in Ithaca, New York, where I support my partner's doctoral studies at Cornell University while advancing my own career. My work, rooted in my Bolivian heritage and immigrant experience, celebrates resilience, multiculturalism, and the unifying power of art in communities. "¿Rendirme yo? ¡Que se rinda su abuela, carajo!" — Colonel Eduardo Abaroa Hidalgo

Artworks

Collaborations