Executive Director

Fanny Blauer is from Mexico City. She is the Philanthropy accountant and the Community Liaison  at the Natural History Museum of Utah.  Fanny attended many events of Artes de Mexico en Utah and since then has been the liaison for strong partnerships between us and the Natural History Museum, the UMFA and other educational institutions. Fanny recently earned an Anthropology of Art diploma from the Center for Research and Advanced Studies of Social Anthropology (CIESAS).Prior to joining the board of Artes, she also co-created a partnership with Artes and Amigos y Libros, a club of the Salt Lake City Public Library that promotes reading in Spanish. She joined the board in winter of 2014. Fanny serves on our Governance Committee.

Board Chair

Silvia Norman is Vice President of Latino Banking for Wells Fargo Bank. She is a native of Argentina and grew up in Salt Lake City. Silvia graduated from the University of Utah. She has been in banking for more than 30 years. Silvia is a generous and long-time supporter of the Latino community. Silvia serves as our Board Treasurer. Silvia serves on our Fundraising and Governance Committees.

Board Member

Lourdes Cooke worked as VP/Human Resources for KSL Radio/Television for several years as well other organizations in Utah.  Lourdes received her Bachelors of Science degree from Southern Methodist University in Psychology and participated in many executive management and leadership programs. Lourdes has enjoyed serving the community of Utah in several capacities.  Presently, participates in the Human Rights Committee for the County’s Office of Diversity Affairs.  Lourdes was a very proud member for the State of Utah Governor’s Health Commission.  Also served as Citizen’s Compensation Advisory Committee.  Lourdes has also been in other boards such as the Utah's Hispanic Council, Guadalupe Schools and Catholic Community Services.  Lourdes has taught Spanish at Westminster College and Bonneville Elementary School.  Lourdes grew-up in Mexico City and has a double citizenships – Mexico and the USA.   Lourdes has two children and two grand-children.  Lourdes desires to continue growing, learning and running.

Board Member

Jorge Rodriguez is an artist, public school teacher (art and English) and radio host. Jorge is a graduate of Utah Valley University with a BFA in Visual Arts and Communication. He has turned his passion for the Latino community into Park City, Utah’s only radio show in Spanish, Cada Domingo, on a public radio station, KPCW. (Park City is a wealthy ski community with a large population of Latino workers, most of Mexican origin.) His show is one of the few radio shows in Spanish in Utah that delve deeply into cultural,  as well as social and political issues affecting the Latino community. Jorge has been a key player in joining community organizations in Park City to promote the appreciation of Latino cultures and the contributions of Latinos to the area. 

Board Member

Will graduated from medical school at UCLA in 1966. He did a residency in
anesthesiology in San Jose, California. He worked as an anesthesiologist in Twin Falls, Idaho, in Boston Massachusetts, and in Salt Lake City.
He has worked with surgical teams, including cleft lip and palate. His practice includes Mexico with Interplast, and Guatemala with Operation Smile. In retirement, he has been going back to Guatemala once a year with Faith in Practice as a medical interpreter. For that reason, he tries to keep up his abilities in Spanish by reading and watching films.

Board Member

Gloria was born in California, but have spent most of her life living in Salt Lake City, Utah. Her father was from Mexico and her mother was first generation US born to parents from Guanajuato, She attended Salt Lake City public schools, graduating from West High, and receiving a BA degree from the University of Utah. Gloria is very active in the Hispanic community as a volunteer for churches, book clubs and Artes de Mexico en Utah. As a Chicana, Gloria has provided a meaningful point of view to our program materials.  It was her father who introduced her to the history of Mexico, from the pre-Columbian peoples to 20th Century conflicts. His influence helped her to acquire a love of history, not just Latin American, but of the world and, this is what peaked her interest in Anthropology, human culture and society, through the archeological record and human behavior. 

Board Member

Dolores Medina is the owner/general manager of El Farol Mexican restaurant, one of the first Mexican restaurants in Salt Lake City. Lolita identifies as Mexican American who is proud of her Mexican heritage and makes sure she reflects that on everything she does. Lolita has extensive experience in business management. She is passionate for community building, culture and the arts. Lolita has been a member of significant community organizations such as the Hispanic Rotary Club and the Utah Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Education Specialist

Paul Whisman currently works as an education program specialist with the Natural History Museum of Utah. He has experience with education outreach throughout Utah, including multiple formal/informal school settings, and has served as a park guide across the west at numerous state parks. He is passionate about community building and environmental education, with a strong background in bioregional pedagogy. Paul’s input
about the content of our classes has been significant in terms of the subjects, the language and the accuracy of the content.

Advisor

Catherine was born in Guayaquil, Ecuador and grew up in New York City. She graduated from the University of Utah with a BA in English Education and History Education. Catherine has served in our board and as a director of operations. Catherine has a passion for education and helping our communities come together through art and stories.

Advisory Board Member

Photographer/Curator

Advisory Board Member

Architect/Designer

Advisory Board Member

Director of Education and Engagement, Utah Museum of Fine Arts 

Advisory Board Member

Independent Scholar

Advisory Board Member

Former development professional, LACMA, Berkeley Art Museum