The Coastal Bend is producing heavy hitters in the art world. Fresh-faced and seasoned creatives alike, it seems as though the area is finding its place on the map. That is to say, what once felt like an emerging underground art scene — which has been present and nurtured for decades — has grown into a place where the fine arts being produced within the region are gaining respect and recognition as just that: fine art.
In this feature, we explore four women, each of whom has a distinct approach to her work, while also exhibiting a few shared denominators: a fostering of creativity from a young age, a desire to explore thought-provoking topics and a seemingly intrinsic curiosity to turn fantasy into reality. So, tumble down the rabbit hole with us, and experience a world all their own.
Leticia Bajuyo
An artist of all trades, Leticia Bajuyo is no stranger to the art of being a career creator. Bajuyo is deeply tied to arts education, and in addition to obtaining her BFA and MFA in sculpture, she has taught art at the university level for over 20 years. Currently, she is the Associate Professor of Art–Sculpture at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. However, to understand Bajuyo, one must absorb the full spectrum of her artistry. Read More
Franceska Alvarado
For as long as she can remember, Franceska Alvarado has been an artist. Growing up in a household where creativity was encouraged and fostered, it didn’t take much for Alvarado to feel comfortable exploring the act of making and creating. She excelled at art classes in school and was often called upon when teachers and classmates needed someone to draw something. “I would get asked to draw something or make a sketch since I was the ‘artist’ in the class,” Alvarado recalled. And while that recognition felt special and welcomed, she knew even then her passion went far beyond making doodles in primary school. Read More
Millicent Alvarado
Intricately poised, subtle and sophisticated, Millicent Alvarado is a creator who deserves recognition alongside some of the most ground-breaking female sculptors of our time. Her fantasy-like sculptures are a world in and of themselves that begs the viewer to take a deep look into the nuances of what’s before them. The level of artistry is that of a seasoned creator, yet she is an undergraduate student working towards her BFA. Read More
Georgia Griffin
Georgia Griffin is a self-taught artist out of Rockport, Texas, whose preferred medium is acrylic on canvas. Griffin’s work personifies the idea of never losing the magic of one’s inner child. “Whimsical surrealism is my adult brain’s way of dancing in the fairy dust of childhood,” she said, and it’s become a bit of a mantra. Through subject matter, usage of color and dashes of sensible humor, Griffin explores what could be in historical, fanciful and well-researched ways. Read More
