Cuban multimedia artist, educator, curator, and producer working at the intersection of arts, education, activism, and creative placemaking
Evelyn Hum Serrano’s work is grounded in social practice and community-engaged art, rooted in a deep commitment to place, story, agency, belonging, and sustainable futures. A Cuban, Los Angeles–based multimedia artist, educator, and curator, she creates artistic and participatory projects that bridge creative placemaking, performance, painting, book illustration, clay, and experimental media. Her practice centers on collaboration with diverse communities across Los Angeles County—particularly those historically marginalized—as well as with the natural environment.
She develops place-based projects ranging from community murals to story-healing interventions, land rematriation efforts, and cultural festivals created in partnership with local Indigenous culture bearers and youth. These works generate both objects and living processes—spaces for dialogue, collective authorship, and reimagining shared futures. Through relational and decolonial frameworks, she cultivates belonging, intergenerational exchange, ecological awareness, and civic imagination.
Serrano’s artistic and pedagogical work has connected higher education, K–12 schools, neighborhood coalitions, and cultural institutions. She has led multidisciplinary collaborations nationally and internationally, curated public programs, and secured support for projects that expand equitable access to the arts. Her overarching goal is to strengthen Los Angeles’ cultural vitality by amplifying community knowledge and activating art as a tool for connection and transformation.
She is currently developing a multi-site story-healing project in Sunland-Tujunga that surfaces layered histories and collaboratively imagines the community 200 years into the future. Additionally, she is advancing Our Power, a ceramics and performance project exploring self-agency through sculpture-making and performative interventions at local water sites, deepening her studio research and sustaining her socially engaged practice.
EDUCATION
University of California, San Diego — 2020
Induction California Clear Teaching Credential
Alliant International University — 2017
M.A. in Education; Single Subject Teaching Credential
California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) — 2004
M.F.A. in Art and Integrated Media, Summa Cum Laude
Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) — 2002
B.F.A., Summa Cum Laude
New World School of the Arts — 2000
A.A., Sculpture
Universidad de la República, Uruguay — 1995–1996
Coursework in Latin American Literature, Art History, Epistemology & Aesthetics
Instituto Superior de Diseño Industrial, Cuba — 1993–1994
Coursework in Graphic & Industrial Design
ADDITIONAL TRAINING & FELLOWSHIPS
Healing-Centered Engagement Practitioner Certification with Flourish Agenda (2022)
The Art of Leadership — LA County Department of Arts & Culture / MIT Presencing Institute (2019)
Cognitive Coaching — UCLA Center X (2019)
Arts for LA Activate Fellowship — 2015–2016
Professional Development, California Creative Learning Academy — 2010–present
(Scottish Storyline, Responsive Classroom, Cognitively Guided Instruction, Restorative Justice, Constructivism, Social Emotional Learning, SMART Goals)
Theater of the Oppressed — USC School of Applied Theater (2008)
GRANTS & HONORS
Pioneer Woman of the Year, City of Los Angeles, 7th District (2024)
California Arts Council- California Creative Corps Artist and Culture Bearer Fellowship (2023)
Woman of the Year, California 30th Congressional District (2023)
National Endowment for the Arts (2017-2018)
National Endowment for the Arts – Our Town (2015-2016)
ArtPlace America (2015-2016)
Surdna Foundation Placemaking Grant (2014)
City of Santa Clarita Community Services Grants (2009-2014)
Los Angeles County John Anson Ford Human Relations Award (2013)
CalArts Project and Professional Development Grants (2006-2023)
Maryland Institute College of Art Travel Grants (2000-2002)
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Arts Integration Director & Visual Arts Specialist (California Creative Learning Academy) 2010–Present
- Lead the design and implementation of TK–8 arts-integrated curriculum in visual arts, theater, dance and music
- Teach visual and media arts program for grades TK through 8th
- Direct Artist-in-Residence program, Catalyst Network and annual Catalyst Conference
- Develop community-engaged multidisciplinary arts initiatives and institutional partnerships
California Creative Corps Fellow (Pinewood Street Elementary School) 2023-2024
- Design and lead a community-based arts initiative advancing civic engagement, social justice, and environmental awareness through participatory art for staff, students and families
- Facilitate the creation of a large-scale community mural painted by 250 students and families
- Organize field-based learning experiences with Indigenous culture bearer Tina Orduno Calderon, fostering relational reciprocity, storytelling, and place-based ecological education
Faculty, California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) 2006–2024
- Design and teach undergraduate and graduate coursework in arts, activism, public art, performance, and community engagement.
- Founder and producer of El Acercamiento, a four-year international exchange program connecting Cuban and U.S. artists, which included events in Los Angeles, La Habana and Miami
- Co-organize Art in the One World Conference (2008 & 2009)
- Design and lead one-day field study trips with students to Tijuana and San Diego, facilitating dialogue with contemporary artists and visits to cultural institutions to examine border dynamics, migration, and binational artistic interventions; Guide students in critical reflection on how artists respond to geopolitics, identity, and transnational exchange through socially engaged and site-responsive practices (2013-2020)
- Organizer of “What time is it in the clock of the world?”, a teach-in with Palestinian and Israeli speakers (2024)
Author and Illustrator, Los Angeles 2023-Present
- Conceive, write, and illustrate Earthsongs of Tuxuunga, a place-based children’s book created in collaboration with Indigenous Culture Bearers Tina Orduno Calderon and Lazaro Arvizu Jr., sharing the teachings of the land known as Tuxuunga (Big Tujunga) through story, song, and ecological reflection
- Distribute free copies of the book to all elementary schools in the Tujunga neighborhood, expanding access to culturally grounded environmental education
- Design merchandise to fundraise in support of Los Angeles immigrant communities
Co-Founder and Developer, I.D.E.A. Wave Collab (2021–2023)
- Co-design and develop a cross-sector initiative that builds institutional capacity for sustained, anti-racist transformation in arts and cultural institutions
- Co-lead the creation of dynamic and interactive I.D.E.A. tools, workshops, and collaborative frameworks open to Los Angeles culture workers and institutions that amplify historically excluded voices and support systemic change across organizations and practitioners
Artistic Co-Director (Konkuey Design Initiative-KDI) 2014–2018
Directed participatory art and community asset development initiatives in North Shore, Coachella Valley, CA in collaboration with residents, planners, engineers, and policymakers to design a 5-acre community park
Founder & Director (NOMAD LAB Community Arts Program) 2009–2014
Designed and led community-based arts and organizing initiatives in partnership with City of Santa Clarita’s Community Services Department and underserved neighborhoods
Assistant Director of Programs (CalArts Community Arts Partnership - CAP) 2007–2010
Oversaw 41 K–12 arts programs across LA County; supervised staff and public programming
Public Programs Coordinator (CalArts Community Arts Partnership - CAP) 2005-2007
Produced 50+ annual concerts, exhibitions, performances, and publications featuring LA County youth.
Visiting Artist — 2004–2018
New World School of the Arts, Miami
Academia Nacional de Bellas Artes San Alejandro, La Habana
Instituto Superior de Arte, La Habana
CEART, Mexicali
UCLA, Los Angeles
University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas
Marlborough School, Los Angeles
SELECTED SOLO & GROUP EXHIBITIONS, PERFORMANCES & PUBLIC PROJECTS
Rooted in Love: Cultural fundraising for Immigrant Support, Scribble (2025)
Todos Somos Sunland-Tujunga, community story circles and photography project (2024)
We Are Pinewood!, youth civic engagement banner project (2023)
Pinewood Community Inclusion Mural (270ft), Pinewood Street ElementaryLos Angeles, CA (2024)
Publication of Earthsongs of Tuxuunga, Los Angeles, CA, (2024)
Apperson Community Diversity Mural, Apperson Elementary, Los Angeles, CA (2023)
Somewhere in Between, Kellogg Gallery, Cal Poly Pomona, Pomona, CA (2018)
Rueda, a theater performance, El Ciervo Encantado Theater, La Habana, Cuba (2018)
El Acercamiento/The Approach, various sites in La Habana, Cuba (2018)
El Acercamiento/The Approach, Plaza de la Raza, Los Angeles (2018)
El Acercamiento/The Approach, Fábrica de Arte Cubano, La Habana, Cuba (2017)
El Acercamiento/The Approach, Centro Cultural Español, Miami, FL (2017)
El Acercamiento/The Approach, Centro Cultural Español, Miami, FL (2016)
El Acercamiento/The Approach, Plaza de la Raza, Los Angeles, CA (2016)
You Are Breathing In It: Alternative Art Practices, Riverside Art Museum, Riverside, CA (2012)
The Haunted Word, CB1Gallery, Los Angeles, CA (2011)
Dialogue Project, Valle del Oro Neighborhood, Newhall, CA (2011)
Economy of Language, City Hall, Los Angeles, CA (2010)
Spinteraction, LACE, Los Angeles, CA (2010)
Psychic Outlaws, Luckman Art Complex, CalState University, Los Angeles, CA (2010)
Spinteraction, Slanguage, Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles, CA (2009)
Free Free Market, Performing Economies, Fellows of Contemporary Art Gallery, Chinatown Los Angeles, CA (2009)
Conventions and Attitudes: Habeas Lounge Project, CUNY Graduate Center Art Gallery, New York, NY (2008)
Exchange Rate: An International Performance Exchange, Remy’s, Los Angeles, CA (2008)
Fronteras Imaginarias/ Imaginary Borders, Centro Estatal de las Artes, Mexicali, Mexico (2008)
The Horror of Tradition, Andrew Shire Gallery, Los Angeles, CA (2008)
Spinteraction Tour No. 3, Manual Archives, Los Angeles, CA (2008)
Spinteraction No.2, San Jose Biennial, San Jose, CA (2008)
Spinteraction No. 1 at The Long Weekend, Phantom Galleries, Pasadena, CA (2008)
The Other Project, CalArts, Valencia, CA (2007)
Migration Study, Phantom Gallery, Los Angeles, CA (2007)
Knock, Knock, Whose Home?, Acorn Gallery, Los Angeles, CA (2006)
Lost Streams, Estacion Tijuana, Tijuana, Mexico (2006)
Nowhere better than this place/Somewhere better than this place, 9th Habana Biennial, La Habana, Cuba (2006)
On Home, at the artist’s former home in La Habana, La Habana, Cuba (2006)
BLAM!, Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, CA (2005)
All Over the Place, One Night Gallery, Miami, FL (2005)
Genderosity, 4-F Gallery, Los Angeles, CA (2005)
The Meeting, Eagle Rock Center for the Arts, Los Angeles, CA (2005)
One Place, Brewery Project, Los Angeles, CA (2005)
Pigeon-Holed, Marlborough School Gallery, Los Angeles, CA (2005)
In Place of Place, One Night Gallery, Los Angeles, CA (2004)
Atopia. From Here to There, New World School of the Arts Main Gallery, Miami, FL (2004)
There Is No Place Like Place, One Night Gallery, Tel Aviv, Israel (2004)
Supersonic: 1 wind tunnel, 8 schools, 120 artists, Art Center College of Design, South Campus, Pasadena, CA (2004)
Integrated Media Show, Main Gallery, CalArts, Valencia, CA (2004)
Mania for Coleslaw, Highways Performance Space, Santa Monica, CA (2004)
Angels and Demons, Black and White Studio, CalArts, Valencia, CA (2004)
Totem, D301 Gallery, CalArts, Valencia, CA (2004)
Atopia, D301 Gallery, CalArts, Valencia, CA (2004)
Que? A los Medios de Difusion, 8th Havana Biennial, Espacio Aglutinador, Havana, Cuba (2004)
(Additional exhibitions 1999–2003 available upon request.)
CURATORIAL PRACTICE
El Acercamiento/The Approach at 20+ locations in La Habana, Miami and Los Angeles (2015-2018)
Postborder Proposals, Plaza de la Raza, Los Angeles (2009)
Free Free Market, Friends of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles (2009)
Modes of Operation, University of Texas at Dallas (2009)
StayBite, Mint Gallery, CalArts (2008)
Nowhere Better Than This Place, 9th Havana Biennial projects, La Habana (2006)
Artists Books, Miami Dade Public Library (2006)
In Place of Place, Los Angeles (2004)
There is No Place Like Place, Tel Aviv (2004)
COMMUNITY PROJECTS, LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE
Co-founded the Rapid Art Workers Response Collective (RAWR) (2025)
Produced the first Indigenous artist-created mural in Tujunga, with artist Lazaro Arvizu Jr. (2025)
Lead Dia De Los Niños Spring Festival, a multicultural event at Pinewood Street Elementary (2024)
Co-lead and organize 5 Foothills Pride Festivals in Sunland-Tujunga (2020-Present)
Co-lead and organize 5 Tuxuunga Indigenous Peoples Day in Sunland-Tujunga (2020-Present)
Co-adopt and steward an 800ft-long street median to establish a welcome garden in Tujunga (2022-Present)
30+ land stewardship and rematriation events in Tuxuunga Canyon and Tuxuunga Creek (2020-Present)
Co-Founder, Sunland-Tujunga Forward, Los Angeles, CA (2020–present)
Co-Founder, Sojourner Anti-Racism Coalition, Los Angeles, CA (2020–present)
Co-Founder, Anti-Bigotry Responding with Action, Los Angeles, CA (2020-2024)
Founder, Artists for Social Justice Collective, Los Angeles, CA (2007–2010)
Co-founder, Valle del Oro Neighborhood Committee, Santa Clarita, CA (2006–2014)
Member, CalArts ICAP & Diversity Committees, Santa Clarita, CA (2005–2010)
Founder & Curator, One Night Gallery, Los Angeles, CA(2004–2006)
President, Hispanic Club, MICA, Baltimore, MD (2001–2002)