Jose the most common name in the Latino culture. Born in Iowa I have always battled a duality of cultures. Iowans never believed I spoke English because the name Jose. New Latinos never allowed me to claim Iowa as where I come from because my name was Jose. They always asked, "de donde eres". They preferred my Juarez heritage rather than my Iowa heritage. Iowa series speaks of my dual relationship with being from Iowa and having Mexican heritage from Ciudad Juarez. I fill my canvases with icons I grew up watching as a youth. Within my images I infuse the Des Moines, Iowa Logo to figure out what home looks like for me.

Achievements and displays

East High School Mural, Chapulin Colorado 2022
Iowa Knock and Drop, "My Frida" Iowa Series 2022
Oskaloosa Art Center and Studio exhibited 2022
Fresh off the Press Printmaking Exhibit Maineframe Studios 2022
Des Moines Art Festival Guest Speaker Panelist "A Seat at the Table" May 2022
Polk County Heritage Juried Gallery Exhibit 2021
4 All Kids Art Advisor/Mentor 2021
Dia de Los Muertos Assistant Artist Iowa City 2021
Latino heritage Festival Lead Artisan2015-2022
Art Mentor Art Force Iowa 2015-2017
Movement 515 Street Art Artist Workshop Artist 2016
Des Moines Social Club Gallery Curator 2015-2016
Des Moines Social Club Gallery Manager 2016
Des Moines Social Club Viaduct Gallery Solo Exhibit May 2016
Des Moines Social Club Viaduct Gallery  Latino Exhibit  July 2016
Street Cred Studios Screen Printing 2016

Des Moines Art Festival Artist 2013, 2014
Grand View University Prairie Meadows Gallery Juried Show Merit Award  2014
Grand View University Juried Exhibit 2013



 

I have partnered with several Latino and non Latino communities assisting in creating unity. I believe as an Artist I have an ability to create lasting bonds and friendships that otherwise would not exist. My drive is to see Latino and non Latino communities coexisting as one community.