Art for Planetary Health Creative Catalyst Workshop Series

Unlock Your Creative Potential with the Creative Catalyst Workshop Series! Creative individuals from National City, Barrio Logan, Southeastern San Diego, or San Ysidro are invited to take their creative pursuits to the next level. 

Join the Fleet Science Center, with support from the Prebys Foundation, for inspiring workshops—designed just for you that will provide the tools, connections and insider knowledge you need to stand out and succeed in creative submission opportunities. 

Unlocking the Business of Creativity 

Each workshop will include: 

• Networking with fellow creatives: Make Valuable Connections with curators, funders and AFPH selection committee members. 

• Expert Advice: Level Up Your Applications in our "How to Stand Out" session led by ARTS. This session features proven tips for making your submissions shine. 

• Gain Insider Knowledge: Hear from an expert panel of creatives and industry pros on building strong portfolios and advancing your creative journey. 

Facilitators & Panelists

Barrio Logan

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Ramel Wallace | Facilitator

Ramel Wallace is a multi-disciplinary artist and the Senior Community Manager at BAM, where he oversees events for venture-backed companies. With over fifteen years as a recording artist, he hosts CreativeMornings/San Diego and serves on the board of the San Diego African American Museum of Fine Art. As CEO of The Holyfield, Wallace continues to blend art, tech, and community leadership.

Claudia Rodriguez-Biezunski | Panelist

Claudia Rodriguez-Biezunski, better known as Sew Loka, is a San Diego-based textile artist and fashion designer who has made a significant impact in the intersection of streetwear, sustainability, Chicana culture, and DIY fashion. She gained prominence for her distinctive style of customizing and upcycling clothing, while only using recycled, reclaimed and repurposed fabrics to create all of her one of one fashion designs and textile art pieces. Beyond her fashion work, Rodriguez-Biezunski is also known for her commitment to community engagement and teaching others the art of sewing and customization. You can visit her anytime at her sewing studio, Sew Loka, in the vibrant neighborhood of Barrio Logan in San Diego, CA.

Maritza | Panelist

Maritza Garcia is a Chicana fiber artist and activist who has lived in Logan Heights her whole life. She is a Policy Advocate with the Environmental Health Coalition, Vice-Chair of Tierras Indigenas Community Land Trust, a member of the AB-617 Portside Steering Committee, and a dedicated wife and mother. Garcia strives to use her creativity and strong voice to make positive changes in her community.

Valery James | Panelist

Mary Jhun | Panelist

Mary Jhun is a surrealist painter and muralist based in San Diego, CA, specifically in Barrio Logan for 10 years. As the full-time artist & creator of her character of “The Girls,” Jhun utilizes the blend of architecture, mechanics, and botany to tell the stories of the human experience from different walks of life. Her paintings can be found in homes, offices, and public place throughout the US and her mural work is found throughout California. 

About Art for Planetary Health 

Spearheaded by the Fleet Science Center and funded by the Prebys Foundation, the Art for Planetary Health project invited five talented creatives from diverse San Diego neighborhoods to explore the questions: What does it mean for our communities to be in harmony with the health of our planet? And how can we collectively promote environmental consciousness?  

The creatives collaborated with their communities to further develop and engage with their concepts, resulting in unique works of art reflecting the deep connection between personal experiences and the importance of planetary health.  

This project is funded with generous support from

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