Erica G. Peralta is a Master of Fine Arts (Otis College of Art and Design, 2023) based in San José, California. She received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from St. John’s University in New York City (2019). Her work has been presented at the Dorsky Gallery in New York City, the San Francisco Women’s Art Gallery, the Mexican Consulate in Los Angeles, and Museum of Latin American Art in Los Angeles.
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My research and practice have evolved in the years since completing undergraduate studies, which included the classical and technical training similar to the master painters, printmakers, and sculptors. Initially, I focused on painting with an emphasis on Latino themes and family experiences. An interest in performance art, and extensive reading of politics and pedagogy led to a broad scope of artistic and academic opportunities.
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Throughout my personal and academic journey, I developed a deep sense of passion through creating art and educating students about the importance of personal, social, and historical identity. My teaching and practice centers on the intricate human experience of life in the United States.
The Master of Fine Arts in Art and Social Practice at Otis College of Art and Design and various teaching assistant positions in Los Angeles have inspired me to pursue a career in education. I am currently pursuing my credential in art education with a Masters of Art in Teaching at the Academy of Art University.
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I am the Visual Arts teacher at a charter high school, Luis Valdez Leadership Academy, with The Foundation for Hispanic Education in San Jose, California.
Curriculum Vitae
Education
Otis College of Art and Design
Los Angeles, California
Master of Fine Arts, January 2023
St. John’s University
Queens, New York
Bachelor’s Degree of Fine Arts, 2019
Exhibitions
Group Exhibition, “99 Bottles”, Local Color, San Jose, CA, 2024
Altar for Dia de Muertos, “Avenida de Altares”, San Jose, CA, 2023 and 2024.
Solo Exhibition, “…in the clouds”, LAST Projects, Los Angeles, CA, September 24 2023-October 14, 2023
Group Exhibition, “35×35 Bicentennial”, CCCM Mexican Center for Culture and Cinematic Arts;
Mexican Consulate, Los Angeles, CA, 2021
Group Exhibition, “Free to Be” – San Francisco Women Artists Gallery, San Francisco, CA, 2020
Bay Area Artist Invitational Exhibition. Juror: Amy Cancelmo, Artist Consultant, Curator & Queer Art Historian
Teaching Experience
Teaching Assistant, “Visiting Artist Lecture Series” – Otis College of Art and Design, Los Angeles, CA, Fall 2022.
- Organized different artists from around the world to speak at Otis for our lecture series. I created an organizational system that allowed me to efficiently execute all appointments.
Teaching Assistant, “Advanced Critique”- Otis College of Art and Design, Los Angeles, CA, Spring, 2022.
- Scheduled critique days for the undergraduate students to show new artwork in class to encourage different ways of thinking during a professional critique setting.
Teaching Assistant, “Made for Kids” – Otis College of Art and Design, Los Angeles, CA, Fall 2021.
- Working with the undergraduate students in class to create a process in terms of creating murals in the Creative Action department.
Teaching Assistant, “Painting Genres” – Otis College of Art and Design, Los Angeles, CA, Fall 2021.
- Working with the undergraduate students in class to create project-based work while having discussion centered around conceptual painting in the Bachelor of Fine Arts department.
Teaching Assistant, “Kids for Malawi” – Otis College of Art and Design, Los Angeles, CA, Spring 2021.
- Working with the undergraduate students in class to create project-based work while also working with Malawian students to create accurate and historical content in the Creative Action department.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Host/Server, Public School 310, Culver City, CA, January 2022-present.
- Communicated with kitchen staff, management, serving staff, and customers to ensure dining details were handled properly and guest concerns promptly addressed. Accurately communicated patrons’ orders to kitchen staff and entered orders into POS systems to facilitate billing.
Salon Coordinator, Ziggy’s Hair Salon & Barber Shop, Los Angeles, CA, May 2021-September 2021
- Answer phone calls, book online and in person appointments, create designs for signage and fliers, sales, and make sure the salon is in perfect condition.
Muralist Assistant, Peque Brown, Los Angeles, CA, 2022.
- Assisted with two projects in Los Angeles and Orange County. Assisted with the completion of parking garage numbers on each level. The second job was a community mural sponsored by the LA Galaxy Soccer team at Bonita Elementary School in Carson. Both projects were completed in 2022.
Residencies/Internships
Raul Baltazar Studios, Boyle Heights, CA, 2021- present.
- Collaborating through various projects, as well as meeting weekly to discuss art goals and art theory. Participated in the NORONA! Performance with Raul Baltazar and others in June 2021.
Allouche Gallery, Los Angeles, CA, September 2022-January 2023
- Assisted Gallery manager with organizing gallery storage assisting with the preparation of monthly shows. Managed contract employees working with the gallery for installation, transport to customers, and conservation.
Publications
Book Cover, Summer in the Waiting Room: Faith.Hope.Love, 2022
Invited Talks
What’s My Thesis? Podcast, “#206 Staring at the Wall: A Conceptual Art Practice – Erica G Peralta” ZOOM conference, February 1, 2024
Dancing SOBR Podcast, “Erica G. Peralta – Artist – DANCNG SOBR“, Los Angeles, CA. February 7, 2023
Workshop for the “GUADALUPE: Queen of the Water, Mother of the Land of the Dead (Chapter # 1)” exhibition, Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach, January 8, 2023.
Technical Skills
Painting – acrylic, oil, gouache, tempera, spray paint
Drawing – charcoal, graphite, marker, pen, pastel
Media Arts – sound, video, digital painting
Printmaking – relief, intaglio, printing press.
Performance/Installation
Art History- pre-colombian, meso-American, classical, baroque, rococo, modern, contemporary and all their subcultures, to name a few.
Body Art – henna, face painting, glitter tattoos, airbrush.
Special Effects Makeup- airbrush, prosthetics, stage makeup, wigs.
Glam Makeup – eyelash application, skin prep, full glam.
Press
proyectoxtra 