About
Alejandra Chavez (b. 1997) is a Bay Area–born oil painter whose work centers on personal narrative and lived experience. Raised in Northern California, Chavez creates intimate paintings that reflect her community, memories, identity, family, and cultural heritage. Her work explores moments from everyday life and transforms them into evocative visual storytelling.
Chavez’s process often begins with color. Drawing inspiration from the sky, dreams, and the emotional resonance to color, she weaves together visual elements to construct layered narratives. Chavez has a deep appreciation for art’s ability to foster connection. She is particularly inspired by the power of imagery to evoke curiosity, laughter, and a range of emotions from viewers. Some of the artists who influence her work are Carmen Lomas Garza and Lizzy Choi. She is also heavily inspired by Chicano art, street art, and surrealism.
Chavez is a former Max Thelen Studio Resident at Artworks Downtown in San Rafael, CA (2023–2024) and a recipient of the Eduardo Carrillo Scholarship. Her work has been exhibited throughout the Bay Area, including “Milagros & Memories” at the Sausalito Center For The Arts (2024), her solo show “Life Between Us” at Artworks Downtown (2024–2025), and “Personages” at ACCI Gallery (2024).
Alejandra Chavez (n. 1997) es una pintora nacida en el Área de la Bahía. Su obra se centra en la narrativa personal y su experiencia vivida. Criada en el norte de California, Chavez crea pinturas íntimas que reflejan su comunidad, memorias, identidad, familia y su cultura. Su trabajo explora momentos de la vida cotidiana y los transforma en narrativas visuales.
El proceso de Chavez comienza con el color. Inspirándose en el cielo, los sueños y la resonancia emocional del color, entrelaza elementos visuales para construir narrativas. Chavez tiene un profundo aprecio por la capacidad del arte para fomentar la conexión. Se inspira especialmente en el poder de la imagen para despertar curiosidad, provocar risa y generar una variedad de emociones en el espectador. Algunas de las artistas que influyen en su obra son Carmen Lomas Garza y Lizzy Choi. También está inspirada por el arte chicano, el arte urbano y el surrealismo.
Chavez fue residente del estudio Max Thelen en Artworks Downtown en San Rafael, California (2023–2024) y es beneficiaria de la Beca Eduardo Carrillo. Su obra se ha exhibido en todo el Área de la Bahía, incluyendo “Milagros & Memories” en el Sausalito Center For The Arts (2024), su exposición individual “Life Between Us” en Artworks Downtown (2024–2025), y “Personages” en ACCI Gallery (2024).
Artist Resume
Selected Exhibitions:
Somos January 2026- Present
Group Exhibition- Marin Community Foundation
Novato, CA
Identities August 2025
Group exhibition- Artworks Downtown Gallery 1337
San Rafael, CA
Milagros & Memories October 2024
Group Exhibition- Sausalito Center For The Arts
Sausalito, CA
Life Between Us August 2024
Solo Show- Artworks Downtown Founders Gallery
San Rafael, CA
Personages March 2024
Group Show- ACCI Gallery
Berkeley, CA
Studio Artists of Artworks Downtown February 2024
Group Show- Route One Gallery
Point Reyes, CA
Cornucopia Members Exhibit January 2024
Group Show- Artworks Downtown Underground Gallery
San Rafael, CA
Marin County Fair July 2023/2024
Group show- Marin County Fair Exhibit Hall
San Rafael, CA
Head Space: A POC Universe March 2019
Group show- Sesnon Underground
Santa Cruz, CA
En Medio February 2019
Solo Show- Eduardo Carrillo Gallery
Santa Cruz, CA
Expression In Solidarity March 2018
Group show- Porter Bridge Gallery
Santa Cruz, CA
Awards, Grants and Fellowships:
Max Thelen Studio Resident, Artworks Downtown September 2023- September 2024
Willow Camp Residency March 2024
Eduardo Carrillo Scholarship May 2019