Short Bio
Jennifer Valenzuela is a painter located on Maui, HI. She has enjoyed studying and creating art most of her life. Born in Oregon, attending art school and launching her career in San Francisco, she’s found herself working and living on Maui since 2008. She has been featured in various shows throughout Hawaii, New York, Texas and the San Francisco Bay area. Her artistic process begins with exploring the natural environment of the island and getting a sense of the energy of her surroundings. “My work is grounded in a contemporary surrealistic aesthetic that invites the imagination to flourish and to seek wisdom within. My imagined landscapes are interpretations of the wisdom I take from observing the natural world.” Native Hawaiian culture and language is rife with poetic metaphors for nature and life. I pair my pieces with ancient Hawaiian teachings called ‘Olelo No’eau’s. I incorporate this native wisdom to give a literal depth of meaning, while inspiring the composition. Exploring a visual representation of these ancient teachings disseminates and reinforces the contemporary relevance of Native Hawaiian culture for others to access. These teachings can pave a path to finding the wisdom needed to flow graciously through our daily lives.
Statement
Jennifer's artistic process begins with exploring the natural environment of the island and getting a sense of the energy of her surroundings. “My work is grounded in a contemporary surrealistic aesthetic that invites the imagination to flourish and to seek wisdom within. My imagined landscapes are interpretations of the wisdom I take from observing the natural world.”
Native Hawaiian culture and language is rife with poetic metaphors for nature and life. I pair my pieces with ancient Hawaiian teachings called ‘Olelo No’eau’s. I incorporate this native wisdom to give a literal depth of meaning, while inspiring the composition. Exploring a visual representation of these ancient teachings disseminates and reinforces the contemporary relevance of Native Hawaiian culture for others to access. These teachings can pave a path to finding the wisdom needed to flow graciously through our daily lives.
Biography
Resume / CV
Jennifer Valenzuela
Jennifervalenzuelaart.com
jenniferlvalenzuela@gmal.com
808-344-4259
EDUCATION:
2018 National Boards Teaching Certification
2003 Art Credential, UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
2002 Multiple Subjects Credential, San Francisco State University
2001 BFA, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA
2000 BA Liberal Studies, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
2020-Current Owner and Director of Art Academy Maui
2018-2020 Visual Art Instructor, Maui Arts and Cultural Center
2010-2016 Visual Art Instructor, Head of Art Department, Lahainaluna high School
2016 Art Maui Board of Directors
2015-2016 Teacher Representative Art Committee Lahainaluna High School
2011-2016 Advisor and Founder of Lahainaluna Art Club
2004-2008 Visual Art Instructor, Director of Art Department, Selby Lane, Atherton, CA
2001-2008 Installation and SECA Coordinator, SFMOMA, San Francisco, CA
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS/GALLERIES
2020-Current Art Project Paia
2020-Current Viewpoints Gallery
2020 Hui No’eau, HI, Annual Juried Exhibition
2020 Schaefer Gallery, HI, Annual Juried Exhibition
2019 Maestri Gallery, Dallas TX
2019 MidSummer Art Celebration: Annual Juried Show, Hawaii Art Alliance
2019 Monarch Collective: Artist Collective
2019 Kalama Intermediate School: Mural (permanent collection)
2018-Current Four Seasons Maui Artist Showcase
2018 Napua Gallery
2018 Art Maui: Annual juried Exhibition
2018 Hui No’eau: Annual Juried Exhibition
2017 Hui No’eau: Malama Wao Akua
2017-2019 Sun Days of Paia
2016 Hui No’eau: Annual Juried Exhibition
2015 Viewpoints Gallery
2014 Viewpoints Gallery
2013 Hui No’eau: Annual Juried Exhibition
