Luis is a multidisciplinary artist and muralist. A graduate of the University of Utah with a degree in Sociology and Multidisciplinary Design, Luis brings a unique vision that combines community, culture, and the transformative power of art. 
Born in Los Angeles, California, and growing up in Salt Lake City, Luis’s creative journey has been profoundly influenced by the bold narratives of Mexican muralism, Chicano art, and street art. As a first-generation Mexican-American, he views public art as a powerful tool for driving change, inspiring pride, and fostering meaningful dialogue in our communities. 
Over the past five years, Luis has worked as a muralist with the Roots Art Kollective, collaborating on impactful projects, including the Utah Museum of Fine Arts’ first mural exhibition: 2020: From Here On Out. His dedication to connecting art, history, and community continues as a committee member for the transformation of the Mesoamerican exhibit at UMFA, which is set to open in November 2025. 

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. 

Lourdes Cooke has been a dedicated board member of Artes de México en Utah since its inception, championing multiculturalism and the celebration of Mexican culture in Utah. Originally from Mexico City, she moved to Utah in 1977 and built a distinguished career at KSL Radio and Television, serving as Vice President of Human Resources and Outreach Representative.

Her passion for community service extends beyond Artes de México en Utah, with leadership roles on the boards of Guadalupe School and the Governor’s Health Commission. She has also played a key role in FilMéxico, a collaborative film project that highlights the diverse stories of Mexico.

Now retired, Lourdes continues to be an active force in the organization, fostering collaborations with universities, museums, and artists. She remains deeply committed to exploring and sharing Mexico’s rich cultural heritage and its historical ties to Utah.

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 has served on the Board of Directors of Artes de México en Utah since 2018, helping educate students on how Mexican art reflects the country’s history and its lasting influence on the Southwestern United States. She is also the outgoing president of the Genealogical Society of Hispanic America–Utah Chapter (2022-2024) and has participated in historical projects with the Utah Historical Society.

Born and raised in Salt Lake City, Gloria developed a deep appreciation for Hispanic history through family stories of Mexico and the Mexican Revolution. She earned a BA in Anthropology from the University of Utah before living in New York City, where she engaged with diverse Hispanic communities from across Latin America.

Her passion for Artes de México en Utah stems from a commitment to helping Hispanic children in the U.S. connect with their cultural and historical heritage.

Yuri Jenson has a strong background in family and community engagement, parent mentoring and social work. She has experience working with a broad range of stakeholders in both public and private sectors to coordinate educational and recreational activities for families. Yuri is a proud U.S. citizen who emigrated from Mexico. When she started her journey in this country in 2008, she realized how much help is needed for those who represent minorities. Because of this, she has been taking greater responsibility each year, helping immigrant, refugee and isolated families learn how to advocate for themselves through education, collaboration and community engagement. Currently, Yuri serves as the Chair of the Wasatch Latino Coalition and works for Wasatch County School District. 

Brandy is a respected leader in Utah for domestic violence prevention, crafting tailored education for faith leaders, law enforcement, healthcare providers, journalists, and professionals. With 2,000 volunteers, she educated a quarter of Utah's population on domestic violence dynamics and resources, including dating violence prevention in schools. Selected by Western Community Policing and the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, she authored law enforcement curriculum covering 8 states. Over 20 years, Brandy advocated for domestic violence funding and legislation, notably adding dating violence to the Violence Against Women Act. As chair of the State Domestic Violence Council, she spearheads diversity initiatives and authored the Domestic Violence Related Death Report. Brandy excels in motivating professionals and community groups to understand victims' perspectives and provides public speaking and writing expertise. 

Emma Zevallos is the Director of Prevention and Education at Peace House, where she develops programs to prevent interpersonal violence and support survivors. She joined the Board of Artes de México en Utah in August 2024 and became Secretary in December, eager to help build community through cultural connections and art.

Originally from Lima, Peru, Emma moved to Utah in 2024 and is passionate about collaborating with educators, artists, and community leaders to celebrate cultural diversity. She participated in the 2024 Día de los Muertos ofrendas event in Wasatch County, deepening her appreciation for Mexican traditions.

Emma is grateful to be part of a vibrant community that fosters belonging and cultural exchange.

-

-

Andrea Silva is originally from Chihuahua, Mexico. She is a highly talented professional with a degree in Communications and a Master's Degree in Marketing from the TecMilenio University . She has developed her career in advertising, cultural project management and as an event planner. Her talents also extend to photography, design, digital illustration, and painting.  

Andrea is responsible for managing our social media accounts, developing and executing marketing strategies, creating and publishing content, engaging with the audience, analyzing metrics, and reporting on performance. She is known for her charisma, creative thinking and ability to communicate complex ideas in a clear and concise manner. Her knowledge and talent are evident in the promotion and execution of our programs. Andrea enjoys discovering daily aspects of her own culture and many others, which is where her passion for traveling was born. 

Vicky is originally from Chiapas, Mexico. She moved to Salt Lake City, Utah in 2003 and earned her BA in Spanish and a minor in Latin American Studies from the University of Utah. She has a Master's in “Advanced Studies in Hispanic and Latin American Literature” from the University of Barcelona. 

Her development as a visual artist has been for the most part self-taught. Artistic expression in its various forms has always been a part of her life ss the daughter of a Tseltal Maya mother and her father’s archaeological background. She has experienced various aspects of ancient and living Maya traditions. Her maternal grandparents were her first guides in using art as a tool for the preservation of ancestral knowledge and culture.  

Aside from being a full time teacher and artist, she is the Project Manager of the project “Born from Corn” which focuses on sharing with educators and community members the importance and relationship between culture, nature and sustainability through an Indigenous lens.  Her art and community work focuses on continuing ancestral stories and knowledge and on the relationship between food and social justice. She pays special attention to how the diaspora changes accessibility to our ancestral foods and the importance of preserving the cultural memories and practices that migrate with us. 

Mexican born in Ciudad Juárez in the state of Chihuahua, beginning to write at the age of 13 after reading a poetic anthology that included, Manuel Acuña, Amado Nervo, Sonets of Almafuerte and the always excellent poetry of Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz. Over the years polishing writing through empirical studies of the different poetic currents, from what was used in ancient Greece in Homer's books, to modern poetry, such as Marwan, Edel Juárez and Jaime Sabines. Since 2022 Manuel Aaron Garcia is the Poetry and Literature Coordinator for Artes de México en Utah, leads our poetry group Escritores de Utah and is a member of the advisory board of the Community Writing Center. 

Catherine is an experienced educator with a degree in English and History Education. With 10 years of experience in the field, she has worked with various organizations, including Artes for 5 years. Catherine has demonstrated her creativity and expertise by developing educational materials for a diverse range of clients, such as the Natural History Museum, Latino Behavioral Health, Construct Education, and the Salt Lake City Library.