CRISTINA
ROVAYO
About Cristina
Cristina is an artist based in New Jersey. Her work takes on a sculptural form through handmade paper, thread, and found objects. Cristina is an alum of Vermont College of Fine Arts with a Masters of Fine Arts in Visual Art.
Cristina explored her love of visual art as the Art Curator at Zufall Health Center, a Display Coordinator for Anthropologie, and a Professor at Saint Elizabeth University. She continues to further her creativity by teaching Art at the Academy of Saint Elizabeth.
Statement
"By working with handmade paper and thread, I am able to combine these mediums and weave together my personal narrative throughout my work. There is an emotional experience of healing that I encounter the more personal my work becomes. This encounter is something that has become important to my practice because it allows me to embrace my personal experiences that have facilitated the growth of my individuality throughout my work.
I am fascinated by the tragedies in life because they appeal to my desire to know how we move on and heal from those experiences as individuals. We face many phenomenons in life, whether these are celebrations, tragedies or minuscule moments, they become crucial to one’s existence. My work embodies the overarching themes of narrative, healing, memory, objects in relation to family history and personal growth.
I want the viewer to be able to connect with and embrace their own personal experiences to deepen their understanding of their journey towards self-identity."
Group Exhibitions
2019
Expresiones Latinx II
Therese A. Maloney Art Gallery, Morristown, New Jersey
Graduate Exhibition
Vermont College of Fine Arts, Montpelier, Vermont
2017
Emerging Artist Showcase; Awarded Best in Show
Ringwood Manor Association of the Arts, Ringwood, New Jersey
2016
Four Colleges: A Student/Faculty Art Exhibition
Morris Museum, Morristown, New Jersey
Emerging Artist Showcase; Awarded Honorable Mention
Ringwood Manor Association of the Arts, Ringwood, New Jersey
Senior Art Show
Therese A. Maloney Art Gallery, Morristown, New Jersey
2015
America Celebrates, National Christmas Tree Ornaments
The White House, Washington D.C.
Emerging Artist Showcase; Awarded Third Prize
Ringwood Manor Association of the Arts, Ringwood, New Jersey
Grebenstein & Swenson Tuition Scholarship Award Exhibition; Awarded First Prize
College of Saint Elizabeth, Morristown, NJ
2014
Grebenstein & Swenson Tuition Scholarship Award Exhibition
College of Saint Elizabeth, Morristown, NJ
Experience
2023 - Present
Cultural Arts Commission of South Plainfield
2021 - Present
Art Teacher at The Academy of Saint Elizabeth
2019 - 2021
Adjunct Professor and Advisor at Saint Elizabeth University
2017 - 2018
Display Coordinator at Anthropologie
2016 - 2017
Art Curator at Zufall Health Center
Education
2019/ JULY
Vermont College of Fine Arts
Masters of Fine Arts in Visual Art
2016 / MAY
College of Saint Elizabeth
Bachelor of Art