Michelle L. Lopez {Artist, Educator, Grant Writer, Curator, and Student}
About Michelle
Michelle was born in Redlands, California
Present Ph.D. Leadership Studies
University of San Diego
Area of Specialization: Higher Education
Certificate: Restorative Justice Facilitation and Leadership
2016 M.A. Art History
California State University, Los Angeles
Areas of Specialization: Pre-Columbian and Chicana/o/x Art
Thesis: Mujeres de Maiz: Forcing Change in the Art Landscape of Los Angeles – Investigates the impact Mujeres de Maiz had on the contemporary art world in Los Angeles.
2014 M.F.A. Studio Arts
California State University, Los Angeles
Area of Specialization: Photography, Video, and Sculpture
Thesis: Offerings of the Flesh – An exploration of identity through memory.
2011 B.A. Studio Arts
California State University, Los Angeles
Areas of Specialization: Photography and Mixed media
2004 A.A. Liberal Studies
East Los Angeles College, Monterey Park, CA
Areas of focus: Drawing, Painting, and Religious History
Michelle's journey from Redlands, California, to the vibrant heart of Kansas City, Kansas, marked the beginning of her odyssey into the realm of cultural diversity and self-discovery. With roots deeply embedded in California soil for three generations, she found herself transplanted into the rich tapestry of the Midwest.
It was here, amidst the sweeping plains and kaleidoscope of perspectives, that Michelle's artistic spirit truly came alive. Her creations are a testament to her ceaseless exploration of memory and identity, woven together by the threads of family bonds. Each piece dares to defy conventions, a bold declaration challenging the status quo on matters of mortality, faith, governance, and the very essence of beauty itself.
In the realm of Michelle's art, discomfort finds a voice. Her work is a spotlight on the unspoken, a clarion call for a shift in perception. She beckons the viewer to venture beyond the familiar, to consider the world through new eyes. For Michelle, true success is not measured in accolades, but in the conversations ignited, in the questions raised, and in the uncharted territories of thought and opinion.
Through her creations, Michelle emerges as a provocateur, a catalyst for change, a visionary artist who dares to push the boundaries of what is known, inviting us all to reimagine the world around us.