Workshop Highlight: Artist Patricia Cruz and the Aztlan Youth Brigade
We were honored to be joined by the amazing painter Patricia Cruz, who owns the Aztlan Gallery in Logan Heights, during our workshop on October 11, 2025. Patricia created a stunning design inspired by a photograph of one of the Aztlan Youth Brigade students, who is a dancer named Vanessa.
Her design featured a vibrant Aztec dancer, and to our delight, the actual dancer Vanessa even visited our class! Give Vanessa a follow on Instagram @v.n.e.s.s.a.14 to see her astonishing journey as an artist. The students had a wonderful time painting the colorful feathers and bringing the design to life.
One of the highlights of the day was Christian, who painted the dancer’s face with such skill that we all agreed he has a real talent for makeup artistry—especially for contouring! We’ve already decided we’ll be asking him to do our makeup for Día de los Muertos.
You can follow Patricia Cruz on Instagram @tekpatl.irmapatricia and be sure to visit her at her gallery. The mural bellow displays the beautiful image of Aztec dancer Vanessa that will soon be featured on the 19th Street Mural—a celebration of art, culture, and community creativity.
