The University of California, Santa Cruz Arts Division is putting its mission into action with Art Matters, an upcoming event in Los Angeles that underscores the transformative power of the arts. The evening will bring together a dynamic mix of alumni, faculty, and supporters, including acclaimed Chicano artist José Ramírez. Ramírez, known for his vibrant and socially engaged work, has contributed a collection of prints for the silent auction and will take the stage as a featured speaker.
His work includes murals, painting, illustrating children’s books and more. Ramirez centers his art at the intersection of Chicanx culture and the experience of living in L.A. He has collaborated with organizations including the National Immigration Law Center, Los Angeles Public Library, and the Mexican Cultural Institute in Washington DC to name a few.
He originally wanted to study architecture but switched majors in college. A UC Berkeley alumnus, Ramirez is greatly involved with the UC community, having also worked with the UCLA Center X. He is passionate about staying involved and is excited to share his art and help celebrate art at UC Santa Cruz.
Ramirez, a father of three, was thrilled to send one of his daughters, Sol, to UC Santa Cruz. Sol is a Regent Scholar, following in her father’s footsteps by majoring in Art. Although her focus is on photography, as inspired by her mother who is also an artist. “Growing up in LA, being involved in the arts world was her life since she was little, so she saw a lot of art and she met a lot of artists,” says Ramirez. “Ever since she was little, she would draw with her mom and paint with me and go to places where she would do art.”
Ramirez’s connections to UC Santa Cruz don’t stop with his daughter; he also went to college with Art Division Dean Celine Parreñas Shimizu, whom he describes as “a powerful mover and shaker and somebody who’s driven to make the world a better place.”
Ramirez is most excited for Art Matters: UC Santa Cruz Arts Division in Los Angeles because it allows the art community to bridge the gap between the Chicanx representation in the Bay Area and that in Los Angeles.
Other speakers include Shimizu, Professor and Chair of the Art Department Elliot Anderson, Professor Jennifer Gonzalez, and alumni Abigail Lopez-Byrd and Rick Carter, both of whom are highly successful in their given fields.
Art Matters is all about building a connection, especially given the recent losses in LA due to the fires, and inspiring the UC community to get involved with the arts. Funds from the silent auction where Ramirez’s prints will be sold will benefit the Arts Division. “The whole purpose for the event is to bring awareness to the arts programs at UC Santa Cruz,” says Ramirez. “It is another attempt by Dean Celine to bring people together around the arts and politics and uplift people through art.”
Speakers
Celine Parreñas Shimizu: Celine Parreñas Shimizu, Dean of Arts and Distinguished Professor of Film and Digital Media at UC Santa Cruz.
Elliot Anderson: Associate Professor, Technology Art, Director A4 Lab, Chair, Art Department at UC Santa Cruz.
Abigail Lopez Byrd: Abigail Lopez-Byrd is a museum founder.
Jennifer Gonzalez: Professor of History of Art and Visual Culture, Arts Division at UC Santa Cruz.
José Ramirez is an artist and educator.
Co-Hosts
Rick Carter: Rick Carter is a Multi-Oscar-winning production designer and a Distinguished Banana Slug Awardee,2022, and Dean’s Arts Advocacy Council Member. He has won Oscars for Avatar (2009) and Lincoln (2012) and has contributed to the visual worlds of Jurassic Park, Forrest Gump, and Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
Jim Carter: CEO and Founder of Legacy West Media Gallery.
March 15, 2025
2:00 PM — 4:00PM
Legacy West Media Gallery
609 S Anderson St.
Los Angeles, CA 90023
