ABOUT

Ileana Quezada is an artist currently living and working in Merced, CA. She was born 1990 in Fresno, California. She received her B.F.A. in sculpture and ceramics from Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

My work concentrates on the domestic and public spheres and the effects it has in our society. Through the artwork I analyze cultural practices and how they impact the development of Mexican American identity. I look to exhaust the defining limitations of rites of passage that occur in and out of intimate living spaces. My work promotes awareness on how displacement has affected past and present generations of women and men, not only Mexican Americans but everyone that is an outsider to their native country. The sculptures re-evaluate objects found in and out of the home. These objects influence my choice in materials directly and symbolically. My work investigates the family dynamics and how a community is continuously influenced by its evolving living spaces. These connections build our self-esteem and confidence as individuals; therefor effecting how we present ourselves in society and what we feel is our privilege. Analyzing, connecting, and learning one’s heritage is important, but I don’t believe guilt should be a component of that process.

-Ileana Quezada

EDUCATION

Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL May 2016

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Sculpture & Ceramics

Minor in Art History

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Studio Art Instructor, Enrichment Center Program-Merced County Arts Council, Merced Multicultural Arts Center, Merced, CA.

July 2019 – Presently Employed

• Instruct Visual Fine Arts to Adult Artist with Developmental Disabilities.

• Instruct Workshops.

• Demonstrate two- and three-dimensional art techniques in drawing, painting, sculpture, and mix media courses.

• Direct Gallery Tours.

Art Instructor/Docent, Fresno Art Museum, Fresno, CA.
September 2017 – July 2019

• Instruct K-12.
• Implicate VTS Training: Visual Thinking Strategies.
• Direct Museum Tours.
• Instruct Summer Sculpture and Mix Media courses.

Teaching Artist, Circle Gallery-Madera County Arts Council, Madera, CA.
September 2018 – December 2018

• Sculpture Instructor: 1st-8th After School Program & 3rd and 4th School Program.
• Special Projects: Restored the Valley State Prison Mural, painted by female inmates. Helped curate the Dia De Los Muertos Community Altar.
• MCAC Circle Gallery: Assisted with project development, reception, and filling.

Studio Assistant to Artist Chintia Kirana, Glove Factory SIUC, Carbondale, IL.

January – May 2014

• Assisted with the construction of personal artworks and gallery display.Student

Aide-Sculpture Lab Technician/Studio Assistant to Artist Laura L. West, Fresno City College, Fresno, CA.
September 2010 – May 2013
• Assisted instructor with lab sanitation, inventory, mold making, exhibitions, and nude models.
• Instructed students on how to properly use sculpture lab equipment- welding: Gas Metal Arc/Shielded Metal Arc/Oxygen Acetylene, metal fabrication, mixed media, woodworking. Educate and encourage students on OSHA safety regulations.
• Cleaned & Repaired tools: jigsaws, circular/table saws, grinders, sanders, drills, welding equipment, ceramic kilns, and torches.
• Worked with various materials and chemicals: clay, plaster, wax, ceramic shell, bonded sand, fiberglass, glazes, iron, bronze, aluminum, glass, silicone, cement, stone, and wood.
• Assembled installations for Laura L. West exhibition, “Additive Memories,” Art Space Gallery, Fresno, CA. 2010.

EXHIBITIONS

SOLO-

2016 Partition, Expose Art House, Montgomery, AL.

2016 Solo Thesis Exhibition: A Ciegas, Vergette Gallery, Carbondale, IL.

JURIED-

2023 Hidden Letters, Exhibition inspired by the documentary Hidden Letters directed and produced by Violet Du Feng. Virtual Gallery of Hidden Arts, United States.

2016 Rickert-Ziebold Award Exhibition and Reception, Surplus Gallery, Carbondale, IL.

2016 SIUC Visual and Performing Arts Purchase Award, Student Center, Carbondale, IL.

2016 10th Annual C4 Juried Exhibition- Guest Juror Mel Watkin, Surplus Gallery, Carbondale, IL.

2015 9th Annual C4 Juried Exhibition- Guest Juror Dana Turkovic, Surplus Gallery, Carbondale, IL.

2014 8th Annual C4 Juried Exhibition- Guest Juror Terry Suhre, Surplus Gallery, Carbondale, IL.

2013, 2012, 2011

Student Art Show, Juried by Fresno City College Faculty, Allards Art, & Clay Mix Studios. Art Space Gallery, Fresno, CA.

2008 Emerging Artist & Congressional Recognition, Fresno Art Museum, Fresno, CA.

2007 Emerging Artist, Ashtree Studio Gallery, Fresno, CA.

GROUP-

2017 Emotional Catharsis, The Yes Factory, Fresno, CA.

2016 Patterns Play, Expose Art House, featured artist: Swoon Caledonia Dance Curry, Lolli.Pop, Joey Tigert. Curated by Chintia Kirana, Montgomery, AL.

2016 3D BFA Thesis Exhibition, Surplus Gallery, Carbondale, IL.

2015 SIUC Ceramics Show, Guest Artist Alex Hibbitt. Pulliam: Breeze Way, Carbondale, IL.

2015 C4 Critical Forum Club Group Show, Surplus Gallery, Carbondale, IL.

2015 SIU Ceramics Show, Guest Artist Steven Young Lee. Pulliam: Breeze Way, Carbondale, IL.

2014 C4 Critical Forum Club Group Show, SIU University Museum, Carbondale, IL.

2014 SIUC Ceramics Show, Pulliam: Breeze Way, Carbondale, IL.

2013 C4 Critical Forum Club Group Show, Surplus Gallery, Carbondale, IL.

2013 Genisis, Broadway Studios, Curated by Zur Artz, Fresno, CA. 2013

2013 Art Community Transformation Club/Student Show, Valentino’s Rock N’ Apparel, Fresno, CA.

2012 Art Community Transformation Club/Student Show, Star Line, Fresno, CA.

2011, 2010

Holiday Ceramic Exhibit, Clay Mix Studio, Fresno, CA.

2009 Student Art Show, Mary Ward Reception Building, San Francisco, CA.

2007, 2006

Fresno County Art Exhibit- Society of Western Artist Junior Exhibits Building, Fair Grounds, Fresno, CA.

CURATED EXHIBITIONS
2021 The EC Altar for Dia De Los Muertos. Enrichment Center-Merced Multicultural Arts Center. Merced, CA.

2018 Dia De Los Muertos Community Altar, Co-Curator: Ruben Sanchez. Circle Gallery, Madera County Arts Council. Madera, CA.
2018 Manifold, by artist Ayako Kurimoto, Surplus Gallery. Carbondale, IL.

RESIDENCIES

2016 Expose Art House – Three-month, August 15th-November 15th, artist residency. Expose Art House is a nonprofit alternative art space supported by Expose Art Magazine. Founder & Curator Chintia Kirana. Montgomery, AL.

TALKS & WORKSHOPS

2023 Workshop: Found Fashion. Enrichment Center-Merced Multicultural Arts Center. Merced, CA.

2023 Workshop: Plein Air. Enrichment Center-Merced Multicultural Arts Center. Merced, CA.

2023 Workshop: Soft Sculpture. Enrichment Center-Merced Multicultural Arts Center. Merced, CA.

2022 Workshop: Dia De Los Muertos Needle Felting. Enrichment Center-Merced Multicultural Arts Center. Merced, CA.

2022 Workshop: Needle Felting. Enrichment Center-Merced Multicultural Arts Center. Merced, CA.

2021 Workshop: Dia De Los Muertos Soft Sculpture. Enrichment Center-Merced Multicultural Arts Center. Merced, CA.

2021 Workshop: Soft Sculpture. Enrichment Center-Merced Multicultural Arts Center. Merced, CA.

2020 Workshop: Embroidery. Enrichment Center-Merced Multicultural Arts Center. Merced, CA.

2016 Artist Talk: Expose Art House. Montgomery, AL.

2016 Workshop: Tile Relief & Mold Making. Expose Art House. Montgomery, AL.

2016 Artist Talk: Auburn University at Montgomery Art Department. Montgomery, AL.

2013 Artist Talk: Southern Illinois University Carbondale-C4 Critical Forum Club Group Exhibit. Surplus Gallery, Carbondale, IL.

PUBLICATIONS/PRESS

2021 Enrichment Center Instagram Post: The EC Altar for Dia De Los Muertos. https://www.instagram.com/p/CVs1QarvZdD/

2018 The Madera Tribune – “Madera County Arts Council Dia De Los Muertos Community Ofrenda”, November 2018. Madera, CA.

2016 "Expose Art House"- Expose Art Magazine, October 2016 Issue.

2016 SIUC NEWS – Press release, “Three named winners in annual art competition” by Andrea Hahn. Carbondale, IL. https://news.siu.edu/2016/04/040516amh16044.php

2016 WSIU Public Broadcasting- “Rickert-Ziebold Trust Award Winners Announced”, Interview by Kevin Boucher. Carbondale, IL. https://www.wsiu.org/arts/2016-04-05/rickert-ziebold-trust-award-winners-announced

2013 Interviewed by the Southern Illinois University News & Media Club, “8th Annual C4 Juried Show”. Carbondale, IL.

AWARDS

2016 Winner of the SIUC School of Art and Design, Rickert-Ziebold Trust Award Competition. Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL.

2015 Windgate Charitable Foundation Educational Opportunity Scholarship. Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL.

2013 1st Place. Undergraduate Category of the 8th Annual C4 Juried Exhibition, juror Terry Suhre. Surplus Gallery, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL.

2012 Centennial Art Scholarship. Fresno City College, Fresno, CA.

2012 2nd Place. Ceramics Category of the 2012 Student Art Show. Juried by Fresno City College Faculty & Allards Art, Fresno, CA.

2011 2nd Place. Ceramics Category of the 2011 Student Art Show. Juried by Fresno City College Faculty & Clay Mix Studios, Fresno, CA.

2008 Top 10 Congressional Art Competition. Congressional Recognition awarded by Congressmen Jim Costa. Displayed in Congressional District office for the course of one year. Fresno, CA.

2008 3rd Place. Art Gallery Placement & Recognition Exhibition for the course of one month. Fresno Art Museum, Fresno, CA.

2008 Art Gallery Placement & Recognition Exhibition for the course of one month. Ashtree Studio Gallery, Fresno, CA.

2007, 2006

1st place. Fresno County Art Exhibit. The California Art Education Association, Fresno, CA.

AFFILIATIONS

2016, 2015, 2014, 2013

C4-Member. Critical Forum is a student organization that promotes cooperation, collaboration, and critical exchange through the visual arts. Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL.

2012, 2011

A.C.T_Co-President. Art Community Transformation, is a club that promotes community art and raises funds for workshops, and provides art supplies to underprivileged children in the Central Valley of San Joaquin. Fresno City College, Fresno, CA.