Meet Elvia Aguirre | Teaching Artist and Resident Artist for Tia Chucha’s Centro Cultural

We had the good fortune of connecting with Elvia Aguirre and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Elvia, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Ever since I can remember, I was always creating. My first exposure to art was the Lowrider magazine. I remember my first art technique was tracing images, then eventually I began challenging myself by freehanding and drawing daily. From the age of 7-16, I was always sketching/doodling until I met the art teacher on campus in San Fernando High School, and for the first time in my life, I was working with paint. From that point on, I knew I wanted a career as an artist.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Elvia N. Aguirre is a visual artist dedicated to community-based services as a teaching artist in the Northeast San Fernando Valley, with organizations such as Tia Chucha’s Centro Cultural & Bookstore through their cultural arts workshops and From Trauma to Transformation program, Pukuu Cultural Community Services through their Tutčint program, GRYD, CCLA Artes, and partnering with the city of Pacoima and Sylmar. As a community artist, Aguirre has impacted the lives of youth and adults alike by bringing creativity into their homes through step-by-step tutorials of various mediums, including mixed media art, acrylic painting, drawing, oil pastels, soft pastels, and mural creations. Aguirre is an alumna from Los Angeles Mission College (LAMC) and California State University of Northridge (CSUN). She graduated from LAMC in June 2009 with her Associate Degrees in Painting, Drawing, Sculpture, and Chicano/a Studies. She then pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts with a concentration in Painting at CSUN’s Mike Curb College of Arts, Media, and Communication and graduated Cum Laude in May 2012. She was born in Guadalajara, Mexico, but grew up in the San Fernando Valley and currently is located in the city of Sylmar, California.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
It all depends on the vibe’s but the following places are my go too’s

Places to eat :
-Annie’s Sweet Oven Bakery Cafe
-El cocinero plant based restaurant
-Kickin Kasian
– Honey Baked Ham Northridge
-Heavenly Pancakes
-Nayarit
– Rosarito Fish Market
-La Azteca Tortilleria
-SugarFish
-Rococo Ramen
-Michexgod
-broad Street Oyster Co.
-Monty’s Good Burgers
-Sage
-Guisados
-La China Poblana Cemitas
-Trejo’s Coffee & Donuts
-Cafe Gratitude
-Smorgasburg

Drinks :
-Shadow Grove brewery
-San Fernando Brewery
-Truman House Tavern
– 818 brewery
-Yard house
-Mírate
-Tony’s Darts Away
-Wurstküche
-Art District Brewering Company
-San Antonio Winery

Visit:
-Tia Chuchas
-Balboa Park Van Nuys
-Chinatown
-Descansó Gardens
-LACMA
-The Broad
– Getty center
-Getty Villa
-Norton Simon Museum
-Museum of Neon Art
-Santa Barbara
-Malibu Beach
-Zumba Beach
-Hiking in Sylmar
-Hiking in Burbank
-Switzer Falls Trail
-Millard Canyon Falls
-Bridge to Nowhere
-The Greek Theater
-Hollywood Bowl
-Hollywood Bowling
-last book store
-Amoeba Music

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First I would love to thank my family for letting me be creative and understanding the importance of art in my life since day one. Secondly my high school teacher Mrs. Vaugh not sure where she is in this world but grateful that I cross pads with her class. Thirdly to all my bffs, close friends, Kalpulli Temachtia Quetzalcoatl and chosen families that have supported my goals you know who y’all are, and lastly Tia Chucha’s Centro Cultural & Book Store team. Thank you for all the endless opportunities y’all have given me for trusting in the work that I do and giving me the platform to share with the community in the North East San Fernando Valley.

Website: https://www.behance.net/elviaaguira666

Instagram: @aguirres.art