Linda Garcia Escobar was named the “Outstanding Senior” by the University of Arizona School of Art for the 2024 fall semester.
The faculty in the Art and Visual Culture Education program nominated Escobar in recognition of her devotion to excellence in her scholarship, her commitment to the Tucson and Arizona arts communities through her engagement with K-12 students, museum and gallery work, volunteerism, and her leadership role among her peers.
- Fall 2024 CFA Graduation Convocation | Dec. 19 | 7p | Crowder Hall
In the nomination letter, Professor Irene Romano and Visiting Associate Professor Kate Collins wrote, “She is among the finest AVCE undergraduate students the current faculty has had the pleasure of teaching and mentoring in recent memory.” Beyond her exceptional contributions to academics within the AVCE program, Linda has been extremely active with exhibitions and programs in the Gross Gallery.” She worked closely with Gallery Director lydia see, who called her a “dynamic emerging educator,” and was an intern with the University of Arizona Museum of Art.
“(Linda was) pivotal in preparing the museum to serve visitors through hands-on engagements that connected them to the current exhibitions at the museum, said UAMA Curator of Community Engagement Chelsea Farrar. “Going above and beyond, she researched materials, prompts, and various methods of creating gallery activities for museum visitors. I truly have never had an undergrad intern show such enthusiasm, curiosity, and passion for teaching art!”
How was your experience at the college and the university?
I am happy to say my experience at the College of Fine Arts has been very fulfilling and gratifying. After I transferred to the Arizona a year after I completed my associate’s degree, I did not know what opportunities and possibilities I could take part in. I was able to do so much more than I ever thought I could. There is an incredible web of encouraging, hardworking, and creative people – faculty, staff, and students – that makes it an exciting place to be. I am grateful to have had the privilege in attending this school.
What’s your favorite memory?
It is difficult to choose one, but my favorite experiences come from the time I have spent working and learning from and with others. Any project or event I had help with preparing were my favorites.
What are your post-graduation plans?
After graduation, I plan to get involved with public schools and substitute teach for a semester, and hope to teach middle school art in the next school year. I also aim to continue to be involved with my community and continue to develop my work as an artist as much as possible.
What are a couple academic and scholastic successes you enjoyed?
I was a resident artist of the BMC Playbook, an interactive maker space and exhibition inviting collaboration, exploration, and play. My interest and curiosity for weaving arts led me to an internship opportunity at the University of Arizona Museum of Art, where I curated activities for a weaving-themed makers space to support and enhance an exhibition by artist Marlowe Katoney. I learned how to relief print with a tortilla press from artist Karl Whitaker which led to hands-on printmaking activities at the “Annie Lopez: Origin Story” exhibition reception, another at Art After Dark, and co-facilitating a tortilla press printmaking workshop with friend Ana Monobe at the W.A. Franke Honors College. Last summer, I worked with my friends Sienna Collective President Lyrissa Nicole and Gem Abarca to curate Roots of Resilience which focused on identity, culture, belonging, and representation in our work.
I was secretary of the Sienna Collective, a community of students of color within the school of art, volunteered at CFA recruitment and retention events, and was a member of InVisibility, a space for historically underrepresented people in the arts. My internship at the museum connected me with students from different colleges and visitors of all ages and gave me the opportunity to teach others about different art-making practices through hands-on activities at events.
Please share experiences of leadership that were impactful.
There are so many! I could go on for a long while about all the good people on campus. I am especially grateful for my professor Dr. Kate Collins, my internship supervisor Chelsea Farrar, and my mentor lydia see. They worked together in nominating me for this honor and my time at the UA and career in art education would not be the same without them. My professors Dr. Ryan Shin, Erin Digiovanni, Alejandro Macias, Jonathan Marquis, Tioni Collins, Willa Ahlschwede, and all UAMA staff have been a huge support.
- Jocelyn Markeson: A classroom trailblazer
- Mo Casorla: Mastering music and motion
- Jordan Shomper: Leading through music
- Linda Garcia Escobar: A dynamic, emerging educator