Beatriz Vasquez is a visual artist whose work experiments with the conceptual use of Papel Picado, a Mexican Folk Art, transforming layers of intricate cut paper into murals and with the manipulation of paper she creates wearable paper sculptures for fashion shows nationwide. Vasquez has lived in Indianapolis for close to 25 years but was born and raised in the border town of Brownsville, Texas. She received her BFA from Indiana University Herron School of Art and Design at IUPUI, she is a Creative Renewal Fellow of the Arts Council of Indianapolis, Vasquez fulfilled fellowship with Root Division and Yerba Buena Center for the Arts as a Latinx Teaching Artist both in San Francisco, the Arts and Humanities Artist Program with IUPUI, and an Intercultural Artist with the Arts in Embassy Program for U.S Ambassador Maria Brewer in Sierra Leone, Africa. Solo exhibitions include, 2015, The University of Central Florida in Orlando, 2015, Marion University in Indianapolis, 2016 Goshen College In Fort Wayne, Indiana, DePaul University, 2014, Indianapolis International Airport In Indianapolis, 2016, Purdue University, Bloomington, Indiana 2019, Arts Council of Indianapolis 2020, and Herron School of Art and Design IUPUI 2020. Her work was featured in La Casa Azul the Musical In 2015 and 2016 receiving her first Emmy.
Beatriz Vasquez Artist Statement My creative practice began with the need to find identity as a Mexican American in Indiana, I concentrated on bringing knowledge and awareness of handcrafted skills of cut paper to redefine and challenge Eurocentrism notions of Fine Art. As a Visual Artivist (Artist+Activist) my work is inspired by the ancient craft of PapelPicado (hand cut paper designs) to bring awareness of social, environmental and economic issues that affect Latinx communities local and worldwide.