Legacy Starts Here: Women of Color Artists from CCA/C

Welcome!

Hello! 

Welcome to my Legacy Starts Here project, where I have created 7 trading cards that spotlight 7 women of color artists who have come from, are currently at, or teach at California College of the Arts. For the Legacy Starts Here: Oakland Campus course, I didn’t have any expectations for the course except for just getting to know my school a little bit more. I had been attending CCA since 2014 and by my senior year, I realized I didn’t know much about the Oakland Campus. I fell in love with the history and getting to hear about all these experiences with the campus through connecting with alum, students, and faculty. During my time at CCA, I wish I had sought out more of a community that represented me: a woman of color artist. The more I researched, the more I was introduced to more amazing women of color at my school that I didn’t realize were here until my senior year. This project is based on what I wish was handed to me during my freshman year; something that could have inspired me and made me feel integrated with CCA’s community. I made these trading cards for those young artists to remember that there is a community for them and they may not even realize the opportunity around them. I hope you find these interviews as inspiring as I do. These women are great friends, inspiring role models, and all-around good people 

I hope you enjoy this experience as much as I did. Thanks for tuning in! When you scan the QR code, it may or may not ask you to download the app or continue to the website. Make sure you click continue to the website. 

- Ashley Cruz 

Check out my website!

and my art IG!

Claudia Bernardi has been teaching at CCA for several years now. She is an Argentinian female artist who also works in the human rights and social justice field. Her practice consists of sculpture, painting, and drawing. At CCA, she teaches courses in Diversity Studies, Visual Studies, Community Arts, and Philosophy and Critical Theory. During our interview, we discussed the CCA community and goals with her CCA students. With this being the first time I met with Claudia, I quickly learned how inspiring and poised she is. I hope that she inspires you as well when listening to our interview.

Listen to our interview!

Ashley Ross is a second-year student and photography major at CCA. She comes from LA and is currently exploring ways to showcase her Black experience and identity into her practice. Aside from Photography, she is interested in curatorial work and facilitating CCA’s Students of Color Coalition. During our interview, we discuss CCA’s promotion for student-led groups and her experience with exploring new ideas within her practice. 

Click here to listen to our interview!

Chloe Borders is currently finishing up her last semester at CCA. They are an individualized major. Their practice includes illustration, comics, and dabbles into animation. Chloe just finished their senior show, Thanks for Sharing! Chloe is also an adopted French, African-American artist. During our interview, we discussed their time as a transfer student at CCA and her hope for CCA’s future for the student community.

Click here to listen to our interview!

Also, scan that second QR code, to check out their artwork!

Sabine Belofsky is a Filipino-American artist who is currently a junior at CCA. She was raised in the Phillippines and then came to CCA after finishing up high school. Sabine is an extremely talented illustrator and visual development artist. During our discussion, we discussed how different diversity is represented in the Philippines compared to how it is in America. 

Click here to tune in to our interview! 

Please scan that second QR code and check out Sabine’s artwork!

Lucía Ventura is a latinx and a bi-racial female artist attending CCA. She is currently in her senior year and fiercely working on her final film, Isla Mia (which you all should keep an eye out for (excuse my bias)). She does animation, illustration, and is naturally crafty. During our interview, we discuss CCA’s clubs for people of color and also how important racial representation is. 

Listen to our interview!

Please go check out her art Instagram, by scanning that second QR code, after tuning in to our interview!

Yuri Knighten is a Japanese-American female artist attending CCA. She’s originally from Washington state. She has focused on illustration, however, she is incredibly diverse in her practice. She has done experimental illustration, sculpture, and jewelry. During our interview, we discuss CCA’s diverse faculty, artist integrity and identity, and even her upcoming tattoo appointment with Allie Takahashi I hope you all find Yuri as inspiring and hilarious as I do!

Click here to Listen to the interview!

Also, please check out her Instagram by scanning the second code on your card!

Image Courtesy of Julia Girardoni

Camille Hoffman had graduated from CCA in 2008 with a BFA in Community Arts. After her graduation, she continued to finish her master at Yale Universtiy. She is a Filipina-Jewish artist currently living in New York. She has done several installations involving her heritage, exploring relationships with the body. During our interview, we discuss her Future of Culture project from CCA and her legacy as WOC artist. 

Click here to listen to our interview!