about me
My work offers an alternate universe that tries to empathize with us, but also distract and reveal a mythos that is unlike our own. Through my creatures, scenes of heart break or of sham encounters (to name a few), are reenacted. Relatable and recognizable scenarios to many. But my creatures also depict their own lives, a life that still believes in sympathetic magic and cohabitates with existing forces that can save you from literal destructive evil.
Email: mayoavcreatures@gmail.com
Mayra A. Villegas
Lives and works in Los Angeles, CA
EDUCATION
2016 MFA, Claremont Graduate University, Claremont, California
2011 BA, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
2008 AA, Mount San Antonio College, Walnut, California
EXHIBITIONS
One or Two Person Exhibitions
2022 Ginkgo Art Gallery, Externalize the Interior, online gallery based in California
https://www.ginkgoartgallery.org/current-exhibition
2022 Metro Gallery, Ghetto Rebellion, Pomona, California
2022 (February 2022) Claremont Gallery, Pop-up show, Claremont, California
2021 (June, August, November 2021) Claremont Gallery, Pop-up show, Claremont, California
2020 Virtual Solo Show, After a while, you could get used to anything
2018 The Progress Gallery, Polymorphic Experiences (with Sharon Ye), Pomona, California
2017 TAJ Art Studio Gallery, Emotive Sensibility, Los Angeles, California
2017 Roger Henry Studio Space, Mayra & Sharon Pop Up Show!, Los Angeles, California
2016 East Gallery, A crocodile passed by today, I said hello, he said hello, that annoyed me, Claremont, California
Group Exhibitions
2021 The Progress Gallery, A Three-Person Show, Pomona, California
2019 Pomona Arts Colony 25th Anniversary, part of August's Art Walk
2019 Bonehouse Bridge, Artcrib 19: Measured Mischiefs, Claremont, California
2018 The dA Center, Aztlanization, Pomona, California
2017 Leiminspace Gallery, The Mix Show, Los Angeles (Chinatown), California
2017 Weber Rations, Rubber Wetlands, Los Angeles, California
2017 Museum of Broken Relationships, Plus One, Los Angeles, California
2017 DPOA Metro Gallery, All U Can Eat, Pomona, California
2016 Alexander Hughes Community Center, An Exploration, Claremont, California
2015 Claremont City Hall, Shifting Conditions, Claremont, California
2015 Peggy Phelps Gallery, Spoon, Claremont, California
2014 East Gallery, In Limbo, Claremont, California
AWARDS
2014| 2015| 2016 University Fellowship in Art - Claremont Graduate University
2014| 2015 Joan & David Lincoln Ceramic Fellowship
RESIDENCIES
2022 Grunewald Guild-Artist is Residence, Location: Plain, Washington
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Art Conservation
2021- Present, Fine Arts Conservation LLC - Assistant Conservator
2016 - Present Fine Arts Conservation LLC - Conservation Technician
2016-2017 The Conservator's Easel - Conservation Technician
2016 May & Burch Conservation, Inc - Conservation Technician
Conferences| Workshops
2022- AIC Annual Meeting- attended the conference and participated in seminar: Colors, Fills, and Retouches: Essentials of Inpainting
Teaching
2015-2016 Pitzer College - Teaching Assistant for Senior Thesis Seminar
2014-2015 Scripps College - Teaching Assistant for Ceramics I
Other
2014-2015 Claremont Graduate University - Gallery Assistant
2015 - Assistant to Artist Roland Reiss
Lectures/ Interviews
2022 US Art and Design Academy, Guest Artist, created a lesson plan for students ages 5-11
2017 Edendale Branch Library, Latinas in LA's Creative Industries, Panel Discussion with Mayra Villegas, Erika Hirugami, Alana Medina, Darlene Stephanie, and Natalie Marrero, Los Angeles, California
2021 Progress Gallery, A Three-Artist Show, Pomona, California; Youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFpBGrT7gfI
Publications
2017 Year Two, CuratorLove