Elba Raquel
5653 Playa Del Rey #3, San Jose , CA 95123
Phone: 408-386-3825 E-Mail: [email protected]
Objective
Highly organized and creative artist with seventeen years experience as an illustrator and six years experience in muralism. Client-oriented design process integrates clients’ vision from concept to final product through initial concept meeting, topic research, sketches, feedback loops and revision stages prior to the mural being applied to the wall. Integrates the community’s needs and demographics within the mural image. Thematically driven towards culture and community representation while consistently providing exceptional and professional technical skills in all mediums. Production costs stay within budget. Close communication with all parties maintained at all times.
Experience
Muralist April 2018- Present
Client meetings throughout different stages, designing with client feedback, community based narrative, deadline oriented, efficient execution, resourceful budgeting. Currently has created four murals in San Jose.
Live Painter March 2016- Present
Team oriented business, marketing for events and artists, impact designing approach, five hour completion execution, community engagement, artist advocacy, large scale installations. Currently has painted at seventeen events.
Illustrator February 2007- Present
Client monitored process, timeline oriented, bold and clever design approach, excellent execution, expert in wide range of mediums.
Currently has been published in books, magazines, flyers, posters, and newspapers.
Gallery Artist February 2007- Present
Consistently developing body of work by exploring new techniques, ideas and mediums. Self-promotion and outreach. Creating and maintaining stakeholder relationships.
Education
Santa Clara University January 2015- June 2017
Master’s Degree in Education with Single subject credential as a High School Arts Educator.
Academy of Art University September 2005- June 2008
Bachelor’s Degree in Illustration with emphasis in Editorial and Book Illustration.
Evergreen Valley College January 2001- May 2005
Associate’s Degree in 2-Dimensional Design.
References
Associate Director at Sacred Heart CC Lydia Bustamante 408-510-0165 [email protected] Program Manager at Local Color Haley Cardamon 408-930-4917 [email protected] Art Curator at SV Pride Arely Cardenas 408-609-4740 [email protected] Attachment 6
Murals and Installations
2024 “East Side SJ” Mayfair Community Center Collaborative Mural-/ Project Director: Girl Scouts/ 60’x3’/ San Jose, CA 2024 “California Sisters” Business Exterior/ Project Director: Sims Metal/ 56’x6’/ San Jose, CA 2023 “Avenida de Altares: Crocodile” Storefront Exterior/ Project Director: School of Arts and Culture/ 20’x11’/ San Jose, CA 2023 “Avenida de Altares: Hummingbird” Storefront Exterior/ Project Director: School of Arts and Culture/ 10’x11’/ San Jose, CA 2023 “Lake Cunningham” Santa Clara County Fair Gallery Exterior/ Project Director: 1Culture/ 17’x11’/ San Jose, CA 2023 “Healing” Quetzal Gardens Apartment Interior Mural/ Project Director: Local Color/ 19’x48’ San Jose, CA 2023 “Reaching New Heights” Quetzal Gardens Apartment Exterior Mural/ Project Director: Local Color/ 13’x46’ San Jose, CA 2022 Womanhood Project: Muji Double Window Installation/ Project Director: Art Builds Community/ 10.5’x10.8’/ San Jose, CA 2021 “Light Within” Sacred Heart Community Center Welcome Mural/ Project Director: Local Color/ 14’x17’ San Jose, CA 2020 Black Lives Matter Temporary Mural Panels/ Project Director: Local Color/ 16’x8’, Mezcal Restaurant, San Jose, CA 2019 The Sweet Soul Shop Mural/ Client: Dulce Fernandez/ 15’x9’, San Jose, CA 2009 Tree of Life Mural/ Client: Bryant Family/ 20’x8’, San Jose, CA Temporary / Live Painting Murals
2024 “Connection” Art Battle 4'x5' State Street Market, Los Altos, Oct “Downtown Block Party” 3'x4' San Pedro Square, San Jose, Jul “Play Day” 8'x8' Viva Calle, San Jose, Jun
“TWC408” 4'x8' 408 Day, San Jose, Apr
“Sacred Womb” 8'x8' Mexica New Year, San Jose, Mar
“Bo$$” 10’x8’ Bizare Art Festival, Fresno, Jan
2023 “San Jose” Community Mural, 12’x8’ San Jose, Oct
“She Devil”, 8’x8’ Viva Calle, San Jose, Sept
“Enlightened Serpent” 8'x8' Santa Clara County Fair, San Jose, Aug “Si se Puede” 20’x8’ Urban Peace- Collaboration with Wisper, San Jose, Apr “Mexikas” 12’x8’ Mexika New Year- Collaboration with TWC, San Jose, Mar 2022 “Birthday Boy” 8’x8’ Viva Calle, San Jose, Jun
“Compassion” 4'x6' Mexica New Year, San Jose, Mar
“Solidarity” 4’x3’ Colour Me Gold, San Jose, Mar
“Medusa” 10'x8' Bizare Art Festival, Fresno, Jan
2021 “Sweet Honey Bee” 3’x4’ TLC Supporting Literacy, San Jose, Nov “Punk Zebra” 6’x7’ Viva Calle, San Jose, Nov
“Pit Viper” 6’x7’, Viva Calle, San Jose, Sept
“Mexicanas Unidas” 4’x6’ Cinco de Mayo, San Jose, May
2020 “Monstera Serpent” 8'x8' Red Saturday Market, San Jose, Dec “Jip Jop” 8'x8' Bizare Art Festival, Fresno, Jan
2019 “Woman Power” 8'x8' Hot Import Nights, San Jose, Oct “Altar” 8'x8' Dia San Jose, San Jose, Oct
Attachment 6
“Sweet Hummingbird” 7'x6' Sonido Clash Music Festival, San Jose, Aug “Viva Cali” 8'x8' Viva Calle, San Jose, Apr
“Como la Flor” 4'x8' Garden at the Flea, San Jose,
“Selena Pizza” 4'x4' Selenabration, San Jose, Apr
“Lava Serpent” 8'x8' Mexica New Year, San Jose, Mar
2018 “United We Walk” 8'x4' Stand!, San Jose, Mar
“Stacey Twins” 8'x8' Hot Import Nights, San Jose, Aug
“Capricorn” 8'x8' Santa Clara County Fair, San Jose, Aug “Bee Life” 8'x8' Vegan Festival, San Jose, Jun
“Corn People” 8'x8' Mexica New Year, San Jose, Mar
2014 “Diversity” Community Mural, 6'x4' Kraft Brew Fest- San Jose- Jul 2006-7 “Cuba" Urban Outfitters Seasonal Store Display- Campbell, Feb-May 2007 “A Wind of a Thousand Tales" Background Stage Design- Ida Jew Elementary School, San Jose, Mar 2006 Illustration Projects
2024 “Womanhood Project”- 4 Augmented Reality Pieces- Project Manager: Art Builds Community/ Jun 2021 “99.1% Pure: Breaking Bad Art”- Interior Illustration and Interview - by Insight Editions/ Oct 2021 “Post Traumatic Quest”- Book Cover - by Pastor Danny Sanchez/ Jan 2020 "Mi Camino" Opera Poster- San Jose/ Jun
2017 "Coyotes and Rabbits" Opera Cultura Poster- San Jose/ Jan 2016 "Do You Know the Way to San Jose" Movie Poster- San Jose/ Mar 2015 Frida Kahlo Annual Festival Poster- San Jose/ Jul 2015 2014 Multicultural Arts Leadership Institution (MALI) logo- San Jose/ Nov "Day of the Dead" Coloring Book, 2014 Edition- San Jose, Oct "Inaugural Peace, Love, and Hip Hop Festival" Poster: Creative Arts Now- San Jose/ Aug 2013 Valentine's Day Cover: El Observador- San Jose/ Feb 2013 "Abigail" Author and Illustrator for Children's Book- San Jose/ Jan 2012- Jan Exhibits
2024 “Mirame” Group Exhibit- 5 Pieces- MACLA, San Jose/ Nov “Angel Altar” Group Exhibit- Avenida de Altares,Mexican Heritage Plaza, San Jose/ Oct “Vote” Group Exhibit- The Works, San Jose/ Oct
“31 Skulls” Group Exhibit- Women’s Club, San Jose/ Oct
“Content Features” Group Exhibit- 4 Pieces- Mexican Heritage Plaza, San Jose/ Aug “Fields of Hope” Group Exhibit- Santa Clara Fairgrounds, San Jose/ Aug “99 Bottles” Group Exhibit- Noble Gallery, San Jose/ Aug “Public Secret Selves” Group Exhibit- Triptych- The Works, San Jose/ July “Boundaries” Group Exhibit- Triptych- New Museum Los Gatos, Los Gatos/ July “Latinx Art Now Auction” Group Exhibit- 1 Piece- MACLAA, San Jose/ May “6th Annual San Jose Day”- Group Exhibit- 1 Piece- Empire Seven, San Jose/ Apr “Tierra y Raises” Group Exhibit- 7 Pieces- Mexican Heritage Plaza, San Jose/ Mar Attachment 6
“Art Auction”- Group Exhibit- Diptych- The Works, San Jose/ Feb "The AntiValentine’s Show" Group Exhibit- Triptych- The Works, San Jose/ Jan 2023 “Fuse Presents” Group Exhibit- 3 Pieces- Citadel, San Jose/ Dec “Get Luck/ Get Gold” Group Exhibit- 4 Pieces- Veggielution, San Jose/ Oct “Libre” Group Exhibit- 3 Pieces- 1 Culture, San Jose/ Sept “Change in Color”- 4 Pieces- Make Westing, Oakland/ Sept “Dear Mama” Group Exhibit- 7 Pieces- Empire Seven, San Jose/ May “5th Annual San Jose Day”- Group Exhibit- 1 Piece- Mexican Heritage Plaza, San Jose/ Apr "Lunar New Year" Group Exhibit- 1 Piece- TeaLyfe, San Jose/ Feb 2022 “Bay Area Gems” Group Exhibit- 1 Piece- 1 Culture, San Jose/ Dec “The Gathering” Group Exhibit- 4 Piece- Citadel, San Jose/ Dec “Artists in Collaboration” Group Exhibit- 2 Pieces- Angels Center for the Arts, Sacramento/ Oct “An American Mosaic” Group Exhibit- 2 Pieces- Mexican Heritage Plaza, San Jose/ Aug “Day 1S” Group Exhibit- 1 Piece- 1 Culture, San Jose/ Jul “Womanhood: Anonymous No More” Group Exhibit- 2 Pieces- MACLA, San Jose/ Feb “Crema Coffee Roasting Company ” Group Exhibit- 4 Pieces- The Alameda, San Jose/ Jan 2021 “31 Skulls” Fundraising Exhibit- 1 Piece- Local Color, San Jose/ Nov 2020 "Lunar New Year" Group Exhibit- 1 Piece- Roy’s Coffee- Japantown, San Jose/ Feb 2019 "Parenthood Journey" Group Exhibit- 2 Pieces- The Forager, San Jose/ Aug "Lunar New Year" Group Exhibit- 1 Piece- Tea Lyfe, San Jose/ Feb 2018 "All Women Showcase" Group Exhibit- 3 Pieces- The Forager, San Jose/ Oct 2017 "Parenthood Journey" Group Exhibit- 4 Pieces- Milk Bank, San Jose/ Aug "Voices of Mayfair" Group Exhibit- 1 Piece- School of Arts and Culture, San Jose/ Jul "Reclaimed" Solo Exhibit- 24 Pieces- Cafe Frascati, San Jose/ Jun "19th Annual Art Auction" Group Exhibit- 1 Piece- MACLA, San Jose/ Apr "Alumni" Group Exhibit- 3 Pieces- Evergreen Valley College, San Jose/ Mar "Four-Play" Group Exhibit- 12 Pieces- School of Arts and Culture, San Jose/ Mar 2015 First Friday Downtown Solo Exhibit- 9 Pieces- Yoga Shala, San Jose/ Oct "Flamenco Exhibit" Group Show- 4 Pieces- Cafe Friscatti, San Jose/ May 2014 "Colors in the Hue of Mexico" Group Show- 1 Piece- City Hall Rotunda, San Jose/ Oct 2013 "Small Art" Group Exhibit- 3 Pieces- Paolo Mejia Gallery, San Francisco/ Apr 2009 "Yoga Portraits" Solo Show- 9 Pieces- Funky Door Yoga Studio, San Francisco/ Nov 2008 "Spring Show" Group Exhibit- 3 Pieces- Academy of Art University, San Francisco/ May 2007 “Big Bang” Group Exhibit- 1 Piece- Academy of Art University, San Francisco Best of Show Award/ Dec "Spring Show" Group Exhibit- 3 Pieces- Academy of Art University, San Francisco/ May 2006 “The Absence of Presence” Group Show- 3 Pieces- Red Ink Gallery Exhibit, San Francisco/ Dec “Emma’s Group Show”- 3 Pieces- Emma’s Café, San Jose/ Oct “Aragon Group Show”- 5 Pieces- Café Aragon Exhibit, San Jose/ Jun 2005 “ETC.” Group Exhibit- 7 Pieces- The Arsenal, San Jose/ May 2004 “Reflections" Group Show- 5 Pieces-, Evergreen Valley College, San Jose/ Dec 2003 “Influx” Group Show- 12 Pieces- Theater, Campbell/ May Attachment 6
Cohorts/ Podcast/ Recognitions/ Awards/ Residencies
2024 “Mirame” Artist Panel: MACLA- San Jose, Nov
Creative Economy Fund Grantee- Artist Support, Nov
“Connection” Art Battle People’s Choice Award, Los Altos, Oct “San Jose Climate Art Symposium” Artist Panel: Museum of Modern Art- San Jose, Oct Content Emerging Artist Award- Featured in Content Magazine Issue 16.4, Aug Resilient Artist Cohort 1- San Jose, Jun-Aug
2023 “Colour Me Happy" Podcast: Brandi Hofer studios- Quebec, Dec “The Verdency Project” Residency- Portland, Oregon, June “SPARK: Women’s History Month” Artist Conversation: Gensler- San Jose, Mar “2023 Creative Ambassador" with Together We Create: Office of Cultural Affairs- San Jose, Jan-Dec 2022 “Artist Honoring Women" Podcast: Womanhood Project: Art Builds Community- San Jose, Jun 2014 Featured in "Latino Focus" for Hispanic Heritage Month: CreaTV- San Jose, Sept MALI Cohort 7- San Jose, Jan-Dec
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Entire Design Zoom Out
Left Side of the Design
Right Side of the Design
Design with tile texture for
tile size, texture, and
directional arrangement
comparison.
Background will be larger
rectangular tiles to
contrast the smaller
irregular fruit and color
band tiles for interest.
Sky will be square tiles
arranged in a radial
pattern for rhythm.
Attachment 6
The origins of the the Corn Palace, conceived and cultivated by the Francia brothers, is rooted in their formative years cultivating sugar beets on their family's land, a foundation that blossomed into a diverse agricultural enterprise encompassing corn, tomatoes, and bell peppers. ● The Evolving Color Band: A dynamic band of color will traverse the artwork, embodying the hues of the Francia brothers' crops. As representations of these vegetables materialize within the artwork, the corresponding color within the band will subtly dissipate, symbolizing the land's yield and the transference of its life-sustaining properties. ● Deconstructed Corn Palace Forms: Solid, pistachio-green rectangular forms, reminiscent of the Corn Palace stand's architectural fragments, will be strategically dispersed throughout the composition. These abstracted shapes represent the deconstruction and reinterpretation of the physical space, inviting viewers to contemplate the memory and essence of the Corn Palace beyond its literal form.
This artistic interpretation seeks to capture the spirit of the Francia brothers' agricultural legacy and the ephemeral beauty of their cultivated landscape, transforming historical narrative into a visually compelling and conceptually rich experience.
Attachment 6