AMANDA ROMERO
BORDERLANDS REGION, 2022 - 2023
Amanda Romero (she/they) is a queer latina experimental artist and musician based in Albuquerque, NM. She was born and raised in Santa Fe, NM. Her work incorporates sound, coding, colcha embroidery, tinsmithing, video, photography, and performance. Her work focuses on the interconnectivity of humans and environments, and she weaves technology and traditional art practices together in large-scale sound and video pieces and performances. Romero received a Master of Arts in Liberal Arts from St. John’s College. She is also an educator and curator and a founding member of fourteenfifteen gallery and the L.o.A. Collective. She plays drums and guitar in a number of local bands, including Karen and Show Pony and plays solo as Madrina. She has exhibited nationally and internationally and is currently working on an immersive sound art exhibition and a collaborative project with artist Paula Castillo for SITE Santa Fe, debuting in Spring 2023.
Amanda developed arts programming to offer to currently and formerly incarcerated youth and adults. In partnership with Gordon Bernell Charter School, Amanda is implementing both long-term and short-term programs that will work into the existing structure of Sanitary Tortilla Factory's ongoing framework and organizational capacity as artist and community advocates. By engaging with system-impacted populations, their hope is to create ongoing dialogue and projects that not only allow for creative expression for those who are inside the system, but create sustainable connections during the transition out of incarceration.
CULTURE HUB
Albuquerque is a culturally rich community, due largely in part to the efforts of the City of Albuquerque's Department of Arts & Culture. With 19 Public Library branches, two museums, two performance theaters, a zoo, aquarium, botanic garden, and popular fishing ponds, numerous large- and small-scale family-friendly events and activities, a vast array of Public Art, the historic plazas of Old Town, government/community television, and much more, the department sustains Albuquerque's quality of life at a high level for residents and visitors alike. The mission of the Department of Arts & Culture is to enhance the quality of life in the city by celebrating Albuquerque's unique history and culture, and providing services, entertainment, programs, and collections that improve literacy, economic vitality, and learning in state of the art facilities that enrich city life and increase tourism to Albuquerque.
SOCIAL IMPACT INITIATIVE
The Sanitary Tortilla Factory (STF) is intentional non-traditional space that is artist and community centered. The current space leases below market rate studios, two scholarship studios to emerging poc/queer artists, maintains an exhibition/fabrication space and hosts a funded residency every two years. For the past sixteen years, sheri crider has been steering the organization funded by sweat equity and tireless dedication. The formerly incarcerated, homeless, queer lady dyke is now focused on the next chapter(s) of the Sanitary Tortilla Factory. Sustainability for the support of emerging artists and targeted community investment is now the organization’s key goal. STF will continue to be visionary in it’s commitment to artists and community. The people centered organization equally values lived experience and education. It’s intentional aversion to a non profit status affords the us autonomy and creative engagement to develop new paths and connections. The organization is focused on care and support versus charity.