The Burien Community Center is currently presenting the works of artist Jake Prendez until the end of November, 2018. Jake Prendez is a renowned Chicano artist, scholar and public speaker, displaying his work in exhibitions around the country to rave reviews. He was selected in summer 2016 to participate in the National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures Leadership Institute and won the “People’s Choice” award at the 2017 Fiestas Patrias Art Exhibition at the Seattle Center. He is currently serving on the Northwest Folklife Cultural Focus Committee.
Prendez creates art with a specific focus on themes relating to Chicana/o culture, activism, social justice, pop culture, and satire. His artistic style ranges from indigenous influence, social realism, and portraiture to colorful urban style art. Prendez has dedicated almost 20 years of his life to the empowerment of youth in higher education and the arts. He knows first-hand the power of positive reinforcement and giving youth an outlet to channel their dreams, visions, and angst.
He received his bachelor’s in American Ethnic Studies from the University of Washington and his master’s in Chicana/o Studies from California State University Northridge. His master’s thesis was entitled “The Art of Rebellion: Social Justice and Chicano Visual Arts.†He spent the last 15 years living and working in Los Angeles where he was a founding member and editor-in-chief of Puro Pedo Magazine, The Barrio Boogie Collective, The Art Jam/Buen Pastor Mural Project as well as a founding member of the Chicana and Chicano Bar Association of Greater Los Angeles.
Prendez now lives in Seattle and is hosting the Pop Up Mercado, lecturing around the country, leading workshops and summer programs for youth in the arts such as the Próxima Generación: Youth Residency Project where he serves as a project manager.
See more of Prendez’s work at www.jakeprendez.com.
The Burien Community Center is open Monday-Thursday, 8:30 a.m.–8:00 p.m., and Fridays 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. For more information, please call Burien Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services at 206-988-3700.
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