A Conversation with Izel Vargas; the Sacred Mess of Creation: Art, Children, and the Unscripted Path

Izel Vargas was born and raised in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas. A native of Alamo, TX, his upbringing along the US - Mexico border plays an important role in his art making process. Vargas received his BFA in 2004 from the University of Texas - Pan American and his MFA from the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill in 2007.As an arts educator, he has worked with college students, at- risk youth, and taught courses at public art centers to both children and adults. Vargas has been invited to lecture at several notable institutions including Duke University, the Mint Museum in Charlotte, NC, and Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. The artist currently resides in South Florida and teaches painting, drawing and design courses at American Heritage School in Delray Beach.Current Show co-headlining with Sharon Hart:Bridge Red Studios: Under the Bridge Art Spacehttps://www.underthebridgeartspace.com/up-coming-exhibitionMarch 16, 2025- May 25, 2025               Izel Vargas Website:https://izelvargas.com/home.htmlImages Referenced in Episode:https://docs.google.com/document/d/1c5PMgEy4-ynhZVZdYWrFGATrca4lsu2Uw93XhW4Rpvg/edit?usp=sharing