Alex Velázquez Brightbill, a Mexican artist who immigrated to Chicago at the age of ten, holds a BFA from Northeastern Illinois University. Her artwork has been exhibited in numerous galleries and curated art shows and cultural events, reflecting the hybridity of her upbringing with two cultural experiences, intertwined with her deep affinity for animals and nature. Currently, she resides in Riverside, Illinois, with her husband and two-year-old son.
CV
EDUCATION
2009 Northeastern Illinois University, Bachelor of Fine Arts.
CURATORIAL EXPERIENCE
2020 Dia de Muertos, Expressions Graphics, Oak Park, IL
2019 Dia de los Muertos en Berwyn Festival and Art Walk, Berwyn, IL
2011 Caracol & Xoconostle, Hillside, IL, cultural center inauguration group show series
2010 National Museum of Mexican Art, Chicago, IL, “Forty Years Anniversary,” Casa Aztlan Art benefit auction
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2025 2025 Brookfield Zoo, King Conservation Leadership Academy, instructor, Brookfield, IL
2024 Austin Young Scholars Initiative, Art Instructor, Chicago, IL
2023 Creativity Fest, Riverside arts center, workshop instructor, Riverside, IL
2019 Parent University, Art workshop instructor, Berwyn, IL
2004 Fox River Art and Music Academy, Art Instructor, Tutor, Oswego, IL
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2024 Ethnic Bodies, Epiphany Center for the Arts, Chicago, IL
2024 No Me Parezco A Nadie, Expressions Graphics, Oak Park, IL
2023 Recolectores, Grafica de Polinizacion, Casa Michoacan Dupage, West Chicago, IL
2023 Committed to Print, Prospectus Gallery, Chicago,IL
2023 Mujer Quetzalcoatl, Riverside Arts Center, town, hall gallery, Riverside, IL
2022 Botanical Monsters, The Shudio, Pilsen, IL
2019 Cats on Canvas, Oak Park, IL
2015 In the Land of Barbie Dolls and Blonde Beauty Queens, Oak Park, IL
2011 Annual Viva Aztlan festival, Casa Aztlan Pilsen, silent auction
2010 Centenario en Lucha, Casa Aztlan, Pilsen, IL
2009 A Collective Interpretation, Northeastern University, Chicago, IL
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
2026 Mascaras : Identidad en la diversidad,grafica binacional collaborativa, Centro Cultural Clavijero, Centro Histórico de Morelia, Michoacán
2025 Travesias y Resistencia, Casa Michoacan, Dupage, West Chicago,IL
2024 La Ofrenda Grafica Michoacana. National Museum of Mexican Art, Chicago, IL
2024 Miniature Conjure Delights, Garrett Museum of Art, Garrett, Indiana
2023 Committed to Print, Prospectus Gallery, Chicago,IL
2023 “Recolectores” Grafica de la polinización” Casa Michoacan DuPage, West Chicago, IL
2020 Dia de Muertos Expressions Graphics, Oak Park, IL
2019 Reclaim, Awakenings Gallery, Ravenswood, IL
2019 Mole de Mayo group show, La Luz Gallery, Pilsen, IL
2015 Third Annual Home is Were the Art Is, Hope Fair Housing Center, Aurora, IL
2015 Morpho Art Gallery, 10th annual emerging artist exhibit
2011 Milwaukee Arts festival 2011, "My Own Worst Enemy”
2011 Oxala Art gallery, Pilsen, IL.
2010 National Museum of Mexican Art, Chicago IL, “Forty Years Anniversary,” Casa Aztlan
2009 Women in the Arts, Northeastern University, Chicago, IL.
2002 La Llorona Art Gallery “A Ticket to Ride” 2002, Day of the Dead installation
Publications
Kaz, J. (2022), Companions, An ancient Aztec shaman dog, DROOL by Bixbi Pet, Issue(7), pg63
Pisano,J. (2020) Riverside artist’s work spotlights women, hope, The Riverside-Brookfield Landmark
Tugade,A. (2020) Outdoor Gallery Designed to Heal and Connect, Suburbanlife.com
Tugade, A. (2019) Riverside Artist relies on printmaking medium to share immigrant story, Suburbanlife.com