Ricardo Cortez Named 2022 Creative Ambassador
Ricardo Cortez ’03, Studio Art major has been named one of six new 2022 Creative Ambassadors by the City of San Jose. The City’s Department of Cultural Affairs appoints up to six ambassadors per year “to produce a creative project that engages the public in creative expression. The ambassadors will also … promote the importance of creative expression by utilizing social media, participating in interviews, and publishing articles as relevant.” Cortez notes, “Students are already registered for a program with a mix of sculpture, art history, and local culture incorporating much of what I learned in Professor Kathy Aoki’s classes through the Studio Art program at SCU.”
“My journey back to SCU has really been full circle. While an undergrad BA student, I gained skills in the digital art courses taught by Professor Aoki that landed me an internship as a designer for the Center for Science, Technology and Society. This Center would eventually become Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship, where I am now the Director of Marketing. My unique background coupled with the foundations I learned at SCU truly changed the course of my life, allowing me to continue my creative journey as a professional and practicing artist. This year, I am fortunate to combine both of my passions into a community art program supported by the San Jose Office of Cultural Affairs as a Creative Ambassador to the City. I'll be hosting a series of workshops exploring themes of New Media art and diverse artists, STEAM, and mixing all of this with San Jose lowrider culture. Participants of the program will gain new insight into this evolving artform and walk away with a customized work of art that embodies design and lowrider aesthetic. There is no way my journey would have led me to this point had I never been steered to the SCU Art Department. Thank you for transforming my life.”