You may already know me as Diana Calderon, a Visual Artist and Educator; a teacher for about ten years (art, one year bilingual ELAR). I currently supervise six elective teachers at a charter school in south Phoenix, as well as manage the Colors of La Comunidad mural projects. But what you don’t know is that the journey to get me there has been anything but easy. This is my story:
I was born in Chihuahua, Mexico and raised in the borderland of El Paso, Texas and Ciudad Juarez. My father, mother and younger sister and I moved to the USA when I was five years old. I was not so happy to leave our supportive extended family in Mexico, but my sister and I would spend almost every summer back in la ciudad de Chihuahua. At a young age I learned to walk, talk, write, read, roller-skate, knitting, embroidery, color. I would absorb and take interest in basically anything that I was taught. I was very observant and I believe that is the key to being an artist, or being anything you want to be. I was a very happy and fulfilled kid, until my parents divorced 5 years after moving to the USA then life became very difficult. It was difficult navigating 6th grade all the way through college. We had to learn to speak English and figure it out pretty much on our own. My mom had to work and when she wasn’t working, she was ill, often hospitalized. Thankfully, my grandmother was around for some years, which was quite wonderful.
As an immigrant, as an artist and as a member of the family I belonged to – I often felt inferior, of little value, a weirdo an outcast, displaced, alone, discouraged, an alien (resident alien) and without any sense of belonging. The only place I felt I fit-in was during a creation process; while making art. I was upset for many years at the fact that my parents were limited in financial and emotional support. I lacked social skills, self-confidence, and often felt I was living an internship. When I thought of what it meant to be successful -defined in any aspect, I often thought Why not me ?! I moved out of my mom’s at age 19, and the only reason I was able to go college was because of the scholarships I earned in high school.On my migrant life journey, or life “internship” I constantly challenge my self to learn and to grow. I have learned by studying, watching others, making mistakes, learning from my mistakes and improving. I also learned how to be a student and a teacher, as well as how to view concepts or issues in multiple perspectives. That allowed me to find positive solutions to my struggles. I like to think of myself as a professional at creative problem solving my life. In 2018 during an artist residency in Guadalajar, Mexico and after a conversation with a good friend, I decided to adopt the belief that I AM de aqui y de alla (from here and from there), rather than feeling ni de aqua ni de alla. I made decisions to think constructive, to focus on my advantages rather than disadvantages and take some pride in my self worth and value. Why not me ?
Who has Influenced your life the most?
In the arts, my first art class teacher Mr. Glover in the 7th grade, and also my high school art teacher, Mrs. Turner. My dad inspires me to be responsible, organized, wake up early, be content with little, be an amazing human, and to fix everything, physically and spiritually. My mom (does not know this but) influences me to take care of my health physically and mentally, to research, to give me the “ganas” to overcome any struggle, and to accept my uniqueness. My grandmother, born in 1925, inspires me to be resilient, creative and dress well.
What are your proudest achievements?
My senior year in high school, I won the district Art Portfolio scholarship award and also the student Congressional Art award, in which my art was on display in the House of Congress and Representatives in Washington DC. My portfolio was on display at the El Paso Art Museum in 2000. I was proud to visit DC for a week, sponsored by congressman Silvestre Reyes, my first trip on a plane.Other proud achievements for me were to graduate high school then putting myself through college while working full time, paying rent, car and bills. Graduating college with a Bachelor in Fine Art (1st generation) , and years later getting into a full tuition waiver program for graduate school and a scholarship to study abroad in Italy were also proud achievements. Being the winning recipient for an artist residency exchange in Guadalajara, a program of CALA Alliance in partnership with Arizona State University Art Museum and PAOS Guadalajara was amazing, where I had the opportunity to live and make art at the Taller Museo Jose Clemente Orozco for 6 weeks! Having 2 Solo Exhibitions opening the same month, February 2020.
My first performance art piece was a great achievement. It was exhibited at the Tempe Center for the Arts.In 2012 I was featured as the 1st in Hispanic Heritage month, ABC15 Sonoran Living Live.I built a wooden doorframe!Co-producing and curating my 1st art exhibit titled “Migrant Stories:Art Benefit for Kino Border Initiative ” where artists explored the crisis on the border and shared migrant stories.Teaching bookmaking with printmaking techniques at the Mesa Art Center for a year.Invited to a two-person art show and an artist talk at the Gallery at Chandler Center for the Arts in 2018 Winning the Guadalajara-Phoenix artist residency.The Phoenix Art museum hired me to do a performance art installation during the opening of the Teotihuacan exhibition. My 1st paid performance art.Featured in KJZZ Fronteras Desk and Featured in KJZZ Sounds of the City
I also adopted a dog, my first pet as an adult. Overcoming difficult obstacles and helped others (mostly students at Las Artes) believe they can too! Invited to give a talk for CreativeMornings.com !
4.- Who Inspires you?
My sister, and my brother-in-law. They work so hard. Despite our journey, my sister is such a boss who constantly inspires me to work hard. Some of the students I have taught; their stories truly inspire me. People that are fearless and never gave up inspire me. Mother Theresa. Rosa Parks. People that are apologetically brave enough to be their true authentic self, such as Juan Gabriel really inspire me! Other artists and their art inspire me.Investigating my culture also inspires me.
What advice would you give someone pursuing a career in what you do?
t think it is important to believe you belong. Practice being bold and fierce. Study, research, have patience, and practice your skill(s). Be stubborn with your vision, but flexible in the details. Visualize what and who you want to become and do not give up. Focus on your advantages, rather than any disadvantages.
What makes an inspiring woman?
Wow, this can take many words to describe. An inspiring woman can be of any age group. For me, and in short, is not afraid to demonstrate her truest self. For me, an inspiring woman shares her knowledge, mentors. Is focused on her personal development, constantly learning, building people up. Celebrates her victories and her failures. An inspiring woman values and seeks authentic connections, values all people in an inclusive manner, is transparent, accepts and forgives her self and others, is strong yet not afraid to show her vulnerable side. Is a servant and a leader.
Tell us five things no one knows about you?
1) Although I have a serious looking face- I am a positive person with a huge sense of humor
2) I am random, a dork, and a jack of all trades; I know how to use power tools, fix things around the house, make hand pained tile counters, change doorknobs and break in and out of my laundry room. I accidentally locked myself in my laundry room when home alone, without my phone. I had one long screw and an exact knife that helped me escape in 20 minutes. (ask me how
3) I am a long-time straggler of anxiety, yet I am most calm during high-stress situations.
4) I have completed over 2000 hours of community service, including service with AmeriCorps, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Caritas in Veritate International.
5) I used to be painfully shy and obviously a terrible public speaker but know I find it fun to speak or present To hear more about my story, check out my “funny” recent Talk Uproot for CreativeMornings.com at https://creativemornings.com/talks/diana-calderon/1
If you’re inspired by Diana as we are you can follow Calderon on her social media platforms:
Website: CalderonArte.com
Instagram: @dianaAcalderon1
