Art is how I make sense of life—my culture, my students, my story. It’s how I turn everyday moments into something meaningful.
You decide who will appear in Artforum Magazine, take home $25,000, and display their work at The Art of Elysium's Salon!
I love creating visual stories of lonely figures with dialogue bubbles to the audience. I build moments that blend imagination with real emotion, inspired by comics, movies, and the way kids see the world. As a Puerto Rican who grew up loving action figures and storytelling, I still carry that same energy into my work. Now as a teacher, I also see art as something that connects people—it’s not just what I create, it’s what it sparks in others.
Where do you find inspiration?I find inspiration in everyday life—my students, my culture, music, and memories growing up Puerto Rican. Kids especially remind me to stay creative and fearless. I’m inspired by the way they imagine without limits. I also pull from film, comics, and storytelling, but the real fuel comes from real moments—laughter in the classroom, conversations, struggles, growth. That’s where the art becomes real for me.
What would you do with $25,000?I’d invest in turning our school garden into a creative outdoor classroom—a space where students can explore land art, performance, and installation. I’d add simple tools, materials, and flexible spaces for creating and documenting their work. It would be a place where art feels alive, where kids can build, experiment, and see themselves as artists. For me, it’s not just growth—it’s giving back and opening doors the way art once did for me.
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Register now for your opportunity to appear in Artforum Magazine, take home $25,000, and display your artwork at The Art of Elysium's Salon.
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