Blanka Amezkua facts for kids
Blanka Amezkua (born 1971) is a Mexican-American artist who creates many different kinds of art. She loves to work with others, teach new things, and build strong communities through her art projects. Even though she trained as a painter, her art is also inspired by folk art and popular culture, like traditional Mexican papel picado (cut paper designs) and comic books.
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Early Life and Education
Blanka Amezkua was born in Mexico City, Mexico. She grew up in Los Angeles, California. She studied art at California State University, Fresno. Later, she went to the Accademia di Belle Arti in Florence, Italy, from 1997 to 1998, where she learned to be a painter.
Artistic Career and Projects
Blanka Amezkua is well-known for starting unique art spaces.
Bronx Blue Bedroom Project (BBBP)
In 2008, Blanka started an art space right in her own bedroom! She called it the Bronx Blue Bedroom Project (BBBP). This was a special kind of place called an artist-run space, meaning artists themselves created and managed it. In 2010, the BBBP's two years of work were featured in a big art show in New York City called "Alternative Histories." It was also included in an important book about New York art spaces.
Art Projects Around the World
From 2010 to 2016, Blanka lived in both New York City and Athens, Greece. During this time, she started a project called "3///3 ...three walls on wednesdays...". She would carry three portable walls around the city and invite artists from all over the world to show their work on them.
In 2012, she created "8 to 8: State of Creative Emergency". This project gave artists a chance to develop an idea and present it in a public space for twelve hours straight.
In 2014, Blanka founded FokiaNou Art Space in Athens, Greece. This space, located inside an apartment, hosts art shows, workshops, and other projects. Today, two other artists, Mary Cox and Panagiotis Voulgaris, run FokiaNou Art Space.
AAA3A in the South Bronx
In 2016, Blanka started another artist-run space called AAA3A in the South Bronx. The name is actually her home address! At AAA3A, she organizes events like meals, discussions, workshops, and art residencies. It's located in the same building where the Bronx Blue Bedroom Project used to be.
Blanka's work and projects have been mentioned in many important publications around the world. Some of these include The New York Times, TimeOut NY, The Bomb magazine, and Hyperallergic.
Exhibition: The Future is LATINX (2020-21)
Blanka Amezkua's art was part of a traveling art show called The Future is LATINX. This exhibition first opened at the Eastern Connecticut State University Art Gallery in 2020. The goal of the show was to highlight the amazing art created by the Latino community. The exhibition later traveled to Clark University and Three Rivers Community College. Blanka showed her piece called Untitled (Silhouette with Skirt) in this exhibition.
Awards and Recognition
Blanka Amezkua has received several awards for her art and projects:
- 2009: Department of Cultural Affairs Greater New York Arts Development Fund (for Bronx Blue Bedroom Project)
- 2008: The Bronx Museum of the Arts: AIM 28 (Artist in the Marketplace)
- 2008: Bronx Council on the Arts: BRIO
Artist Residencies
Blanka has also been invited to special artist residencies, which are programs where artists can live and work on their art for a period of time:
- 2022: Wave Hill Winter Workspace; Bronx, NY
- 2021: Artist Research Fellowship of the Hispanic Society Museum & Library; New York, NY
- 2021: Bridging the Divide - an Artbridge Residency at Mitchel Houses; Bronx, NY
- 2020: Governors Island Residency with Bronx Art Space; New York, NY
- 2020: ARC-Athens Virtual Resident
- 2019: AIM - The Block Gallery; Tribeca, NY
- 2013: artAmari; Amari, Crete, Greece
See also
In Spanish: Blanka Amezkua para niños
