WHO: Vanessa Garcia, 34

MEDIA: Multimedia sculptures, painting

BEST KNOWN FOR: Fabric sculptures that reflect Garcia's upbringing in a traditional Hispanic household in Kerrville. “It touches on domesticity and the tedium of domesticity and being a woman and the type of gender roles women have,” she said. She uses natural and raw fabrics such as muslin and canvas, materials familiar to her as the daughter of a tailor and a seamstress. Her work carries on that tradition of sewing in a new way. “I think my work also has a nostalgic feel because the fabric part comes into play in my memories as a child,” she said. For example, her piece “Overcome” is an apron similar to one her grandmother wore. The piece, part of her current exhibit at UTSA Satellite Space, is displayed high up on a wall so “it kind of gives you the feeling of looking up at Mother or Grandmother,” Garcia said. The series “Vessels” references the idea of women's bodies being vessels to carry children. One of the pieces resembles a kangaroo's pouch with folds of fabric. “There's kind of a quietness to my pieces because they're kind of serene, kind of calm, sort of meditative,” she said.

CURRENTLY: Garcia is about to begin work on a mural on Boerne's historic Main Street. “I want more public art in Boerne,” she said. The colorful Mexican-style mural will include images of the Virgin Mary and an agave plant. x  BACKGROUND: Garcia lives with her two children in Boerne. She will graduate in the spring from UTSA, where she is an undergraduate studying art and working toward a teaching certification.

CHECK HER OUT: At “Fabrications,” a three-woman show with Jenny Hart and Candace Briceño at UTSA Satellite Space at the Blue Star Arts Complex through Oct. 21.

Jessica Belasco | 210SA Contributor