Ixchel Suarez

I am an Art Instructor, Community Engagement Coordinator, Curator, and Lecturer with over 45 years of professional artistic practice and extensive experience in arts education and community-based programming. I specialize in creating inclusive, interdisciplinary visual arts initiatives that engage children, youth, adults, seniors, and diverse communities through meaningful creative experiences.

As the Founder and Director of a not-for-profit arts organization, I have led curatorial projects, grant-funded programs, public exhibitions, and educational workshops in collaboration with schools, museums, cultural institutions, and community partners. My work bridges contemporary art, textile and fibre practices, and socially engaged art, with a strong focus on accessibility, mentorship, and cultural dialogue.

I bring significant experience as a lecturer and educator, delivering curriculum-aligned instruction, artist talks, and hands-on workshops, and I am deeply committed to fostering creativity, critical thinking, and strong community connections through the arts.

I bring over 45 years of professional experience as a visual artist, art educator, curator, and community arts leader. My career spans contemporary textile and fibre art, arts education, museum and gallery curation, and the design and delivery of inclusive, community-based arts programs.

I have founded and directed both for-profit and not-for-profit arts organizations, leading grant writing, program development, public exhibitions, and large-scale community engagement initiatives in collaboration with schools, museums, cultural institutions, and municipalities. I have extensive experience teaching and lecturing across age groups and abilities, from children and youth to older adults and individuals with special needs, with a strong focus on accessibility, mentorship, and social impact through the arts.

I hold advanced academic training in the arts, including postgraduate studies in Contemporary Textile Art and a Master’s degree in Museum Studies, complemented by a Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design. My education is strengthened by extensive, successful grant-writing experience for not-for-profit arts organizations, supporting the development of inclusive educational programs, exhibitions, and community-based initiatives. Together, this background provides a strong foundation for teaching, curating, and leading sustainable, publicly funded arts programming.