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President Thomas A. Parham established the Presidential Artist-in-Residence in 2020 to highlight the intersection between art and the history of the Africa diaspora and the artistic expressions of people of color. The goal of the series is to demonstrate how empowering and transformative these creative expressions can be for students and members of the community.
The Presidential Artist-in-Residence is generously supported by Holly J. Mitchell, 2nd District Supervisor for the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.
Cristina Martinez: & Still We Bloom
December 11, 2023 - May 17, 2024
Multicultural Art Gallery, University Library, 5th Floor
Viewing Hours: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday to Friday, and by appointment 5-7 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday
The Office of the President, in conjunction with the University Library, proudly presents "& Still We Bloom," an exhibition of works by Presidential Artist-in-Residence Cristina Martinez.
Featuring ten original works of art, "& Still We Bloom" it is an invitation to explore the strength and grace required to overcome hardship and prosper.
About the Artist
Cristina Martinez is a contemporary visual artist from Tacoma, Washington, based in Seattle. From her earliest memories, she saw the world as a canvas waiting to be transformed, whether it was the blank walls of her childhood home or lasagna noodles. Cristina's art career ironically started in fashion school, where she explored different forms of self-expression, self-exploration, and articulations of self-love through painting. It was then that she leaped to become a full-time artist.
Cristina's art is rooted in the richness of her Black and Mexican heritage and the strong women in her bloodline. Her body of work highlights the dynamic, resilient, and often-overlooked stories of Black and Brown people that are waiting to be unearthed, shared, and cemented in history.