Bio
Mario Mesquita is an interdisciplinary, socially engaged artist based in Portland, Oregon. His work delves into relationships, identity, knowledge sharing, and the social boundaries within community spectrums, explored through social practices, dialogue, and visual representation.
Mario has collaborated with the city of Santa Monica and exhibited at notable venues such as the San Diego Art Institute, Museum of Latin American Art, and Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego. He has also presented at the Americans for the Arts Conference 2018. As a founding member of the Michelada Think Tank, Mario has shared his work at Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions, Open Engagement Conference, and Common Field.
Previously serving as the Education Manager at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, Mario coordinated partnerships with local schools and manages public programming to foster learning opportunities. He mentored the Teen Advisory Group. Currently as the Manager of Advocacy & Engagement at the Regional Arts & Culture Council, bridges needs and advocates for community support and continued funding for individual artists, organizations, and programming. Mario holds an MFA in Public Practice from Otis College of Art and Design and is a past fellow of the National Association of Latino Arts and Culture Leadership Program.
My Story
I'm Mario Mesquita, a multidisciplinary artist, educator, and community justice activist based in Portland, Oregon. My work revolves around exploring and questioning knowledge and relationships shaped by socially created boundaries. With a background in graphic arts and socially practice (also known as socially engaged art), my practice seamlessly transitions from dialogue to visual representation, finding a balance of engagement in both my educational and advocacy work.
Being the son of a first-generation college graduate, knowledge sharing has always been at the core of my professional and artistic journey. I hold a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Public Practice from Otis College of Art and Design, along with dual Bachelor of Arts (BA) degrees in Spanish and Multimedia Design from the University of Oregon, providing a robust academic and activist foundation for my creative endeavors.
My artistic social practice is deeply rooted in advocacy, collaboration, and education, reflecting my commitment to social change and meaningful engagement. As a founding member of the Michelada Think Tank, a collective dedicated to addressing issues impacting Black, Indigenous, People of Color, or Global Majority communities, I actively foster dialogue and action.
Throughout my career, I've been involved in creating impactful programs, fostering collaboration, and promoting organizational growth in the arts and culture sector. My work as an educator, mentor, and facilitator of community-centered projects, including my project Paletas Communal Social Club (formerly Paletas Santa Monica), underscores my dedication to exploring art as another means to pass on and learn knowledge, art access, and education for social change.
I've had the privilege of working with the city of Santa Monica, exhibiting at esteemed venues such as the San Diego Art Institute, Museum of Latin American Art, and Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego. I've also presented at conferences like the Americans for the Arts Conference 2018, Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions, Open Engagement Conference, and Common Field.
My vision is to continue bridging communities, fostering meaningful connections, and advocating for positive social change through the transformative power of art and culture.
Contact
I'm always looking for new and exciting opportunities. Let's connect.
541-914-4252