LESLYE VILLASEÑOR
BORDERLANDS REGION, 2022 - 2023
Leslye Villaseñor (she/her) is a painter and visual artist based in San Diego. Her art practice delves into the essence of human consciousness, memory, perception, and the rawness of human emotion based on personal narratives, direct observation, and philosophical underpinnings. She earned an Associate's Degree in Studio Arts from Southwestern College followed by a Bachelor's Degree in Studio Arts from the University of California, San Diego. Her work has been exhibited in the Student Gallery at Southwestern College, the Adam D. Kamil Gallery at UCSD, the Athenaeum Music and Arts Library in La Jolla, and more recently at The Front Arte & Cultura.
In partnership with IPS, Leslye hosted and created workshops for community members focused on the activation and preservation of the Otay Valley Regional Park's (OVRP) rich natural ecosystem through art and plein-air painting. She is also creating a mural at OVRP in collaboration with Montgomery High School students to bring positive engagement and attention to the park by transforming its surroundings.
Leslye is hoping these projects offer an educational opportunity for community members to learn about native flora and fauna of the region, and raise awareness of the value of natural spaces in the formation of cultural identity, collective memory, and the prosperity of individual and communal physical and mental health. Leslye hopes her projects contribute to the preservation of the park and help nurture these accessible public spaces and the communities that surround them.
CULTURE HUB
Casa Familiar is the leading service and community development organization in the community of San Ysidro, California, providing over 40 bilingual programs and services at six different sites in the community. Programs range from Civic Engagement to Health & Social Services, Arts & Culture to Education. The Arts & Culture arm of Casa Familiar was strengthened 15 years ago with the foundation of The FRONT Arte & Cultura, a community art space, performance and meeting venue for artists and residents. Since then, the FRONT has been organizing art exhibitions, such as the Annual Dia de la Mujer Art Exhibition, that soon became a tradition in San Diego and it is now celebrating its 15th anniversary. Our paid Art Docent Program, paid Workforce Development and Art Apprenticeship Programs for youth have been happening for 6 years now. Over 80 youth have benefited from those programs. We also organize workshops, performances, talks and several other artistic and cultural events relevant to the binational artistic life of our community, while also keeping an eye and participating in the international arts scene.
SOCIAL IMPACT INITIATIVE
IPS is a public health organization that specializes in implementing upstream, population-level prevention programs that reduce health disparities and advance equity. They work alongside residents and other stakeholders to advocate for policy and systems change to protect health and safety, prevent community trauma, and expand opportunities so that people can reach their full potential.