Irene Bustamante is a visual and fiber artist and educator working in a multitude of mediums such as acrylics, watercolor, graphite, and textiles. She is inspired by her culture and a sense of whimsy that brings color and magic to her work. “I want my work to emanate joy and illicit glee from the viewer.” Irene has an associates degree in Studio Art from Cabrillo College and graduated from University of California Santa Cruz with a BA in sociology.

Irene works with Arte del Corazón, a grassroots non-profit community arts organization working to offer opportunities to artists and creative small businesses in Watsonville and surrounding areas. Irene includes thrifted, found, and upcycled materials in her work, in planning her lessons, and is passionate about creating art more sustainably.

Irene plans her lessons with inclusivity, sensitivity, and with cultural and social relevance in mind. It is important to her that art not only be accessible but that it feels accessible as well. “I hope to impart the understanding to my students that they all belong in art spaces, that art is for them and they can create beautiful meaningful art, or just art that makes them happy.”