Meet Nathaniel Ancheta
We had the good fortune of connecting with Nathaniel Ancheta and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Nathaniel, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
My thought process behind starting Art In Residence, really came from a search for home—a sense of belonging, community, and place. After grad school, I felt a bit lost and disconnected, and I found myself being drawn back to my hometown in the Antelope Valley. This was a place I once resented but, with time, I started to see its potential rather than its emptiness. I had always recognized the artistic gap within the region and felt strongly that it could be a place where creativity can thrive.
I also wanted to rethink the concept of public art, which often seems confined to metropolitan areas, and commercial developments. I wanted to break that mold and create something more organic, something that reflected the spirit of the desert and its community. I envisioned a space where artists could just be artists—free from the usual constraints. That desire led me to buy a piece of property and, with the partnership of two close friends, co-found Art In Residence. It was really about creating a space where art could be more than just a spectacle, but a part of everyday life.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art is deeply rooted in the exploration of identity, place, and the symbiotic relationship between humans and their environment. What sets me apart is my reluctance to compartmentalize my practice. I approach art holistically, blending disciplines like public art, design, and community engagement. This allows me to create a body of work that spans installations, exhibitions, and community engagement projects.
My journey began in Antelope Valley, where creativity seemed distant. I followed a more practical path, pursuing graphic design, but I always harbored a rebellious streak, seeking to break free from conventional expectations. That pursuit led me to San Francisco and later Los Angeles, where I began to fully embrace art. However, the path was far from easy. Like many, I grappled with self-doubt, professional challenges, and the realities of making a living in the art world.
One of the most difficult periods was after graduate school, returning to my hometown only to feel more disconnected than ever. It was a moment of deep crisis, but also a turning point. I realized that art is integral to who I am, and I couldn’t abandon it despite the setbacks. That led to a resurgence in my artistic practice and the founding of Art In Residence. It allowed me to merge my interests in art, architecture, and design into a space where I could create and engage the community in meaningful ways.
Along the way, I’ve learned that resilience, self-discovery, and adaptability are key. The challenges I faced taught me to value process over outcome and to focus on what truly excites and inspires me. My work now seeks to shift the narrative of human-nature interaction, framing it as a journey of self-discovery mirrored through my relationship with the environment.
What I want the world to know about my story is that it’s not just about creating art for art’s sake, but about engaging with the world in a way that fosters connection and transformation—both for myself and for others. Through my studio practice, Art In Residence and Art Memo magazine, I’m committed to making art more accessible, fostering a deeper understanding of the creative process, and demonstrating that art can thrive in even the most unexpected places.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’m not typically one to give recommendations because I find a lot of joy in exploring the suggestions of others—there’s something thrilling about being led into the unknown and discovering a place through someone else’s lens. That said, if I had to give an answer, I tend to gravitate toward hidden, overlooked places—the kinds of spots that most people pass by without a second glance. There’s a certain magic in finding beauty or intrigue in the quiet, unexpected corners of the world. Whether it’s a lesser-known café, an unmarked art installation, or a quiet hiking trail, these places hold a special allure for me because they invite contemplation and personal connection.
On the other hand, I also find myself drawn to the complete opposite: the fantastical and immersive experiences that take you out of the everyday and into something extraordinary. Whether it’s the wonder of theme parks or the temporary yet magical pop-up experiences created by artistic groups, I love the way these spaces play with reality and transport you into an imaginative world. It’s that contrast between the hidden and the hyper-visible, the quiet and the loud, that really resonates with me. I think both types of spaces offer something unique—one invites introspection, while the other invites us to embrace wonder and creativity on a grand scale.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
This is a tough question to answer because my journey has been shaped by so many incredible people who deserve recognition. My story is as much theirs as it is mine. But if I had to give a special shoutout, two people immediately come to mind: my co-founders, Dave Martin and Janice Ngan. Without these two, there would be no story to tell.
As many of you know, starting something from scratch requires people who are willing to believe in your vision with almost blind optimism. I was lucky to have found that in Dave and Janice. When I first started thinking about Art In Residence, I knew it needed three things: heart, mind, and soul. I felt like I had the soul, but I was missing the heart and mind. Janice brought the heart to AIR. Her empathy, understanding, and compassion when working with other artists, combined with her go-get-it attitude, have been invaluable. Dave brought the mind. His career as an educator and artist brought a level of insight, strategy, and thoughtfulness that has guided us through every step.
Together, we’ve built something that is so much bigger than just the three of us, and I couldn’t imagine doing it without them.
Website: nateancheta.com
Instagram: havumetnate
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