Untitled Document

Professional and Personal Strengths

Proficient and fluent in Spanish, English and Portuguese
Successful recent experience on community, conference call and court interpreting in London, ON
Strong ability working with groups with diverse ages and cultural backgrounds
Proficient in the use of software for text and data, digital drawing as well as photo creation and editing
Teach at post-secondary level for more than 10 years (visual arts, graphic design and languages)
Extensive art practice (painting, installations and public art) and graphic design (print, Web, digital art)
Conducts research on Art, Visual Communication, Aesthetics and Architecture
Fully trained for corporate branding projects (Master in Fine Arts with a focus in Visual Communication)
Expertise in corporate stand design, combining graphic, industrial design and architecture

Education

2010-2015. PhD (Hispanic Studies). University of Western Ontario, Canada
2004-2006. MFA (Visual Communication). Northern Illinois University, USA
1980-1986. BA (Architecture). Universidad Central de Venezuela, Venezuela

Languages

Spanish. Native speaker

2004. English as a second language. Indiana University, Bloomington IN, USA. Center for English Language Training.

1994-1996. English as a second language. Centro Venezolano Americano, Caracas, Venezuela. Advanced level of reading, writing, speaking.

1992-1994. Portuguese as a second language. Embassy of Brazil, Caracas, Venezuela. Centro de Estudos Brasileiros. Certificate of Brazilian Ministry of Education

* Seven years of experience studying and teaching in Canada and the United States

Computer literacy skills

Proficiency in image design and software for both text and image design and editing (Adobe CS Suite [Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Dreamweaver], Microsoft Word, Power Point)

Employment Experience

2017-Present. Freelance Interpreter of Spanish and Portuguese. Cross Cultural Learning Centre and 911 Interpreters, London, ON.

Interpreter of Spanish (Community Interpreter Language and Interpreting Skills Assessment Tool, CILISAT), Cross Cultural Learning Centre, London, ON
Provides reliable services of on-site and conference-call interpretation in Spanish for clients in London’s hospitals and clinics, London Court and educational institutions
Provides reliable services of on-site interpretation in Portuguese for clients in London’s hospitals and clinics, as well as educational institutions
Effectively confirms appointments with clients and service providers, following protocol on ethics and confidentiality, as well as assuring accuracy and fluent communication

2017. Examiner of Proficiency in Portuguese language for Graduate Students. Western University. Ivey Business School. London, ON

Conducted assessment on lexical accuracy, grammar and pronunciation of Portuguese to students of the Business School who pursue a certificate of proficiency in a second language

2013-Present. Freelance Graphic and Web Designer. London, ON

Designs brochures, fliers, business cards, websites and other promotional products for clients in London and the Greater Toronto Area and help them to identify branding needs
Develops imagery for graphic design and public art projects with file digital manipulation in the latest versions of Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, working in collaboration with visual artists and architects
Provides services for home staging including art display, in order to underline spatial qualities
Tutors emerging visual artists and graphic design students in London, focusing on the development of creative thinking as well as technical mastery

2012-2013. Gallery Assistant. Volunteer work. Museum London, Art Rental and Sales Gallery (Canada)

Assisted clients on the purchase and rent of artwork based on collection criteria, as well as in spatial and corporate brand needs
Maintained and organized documentation of available art pieces as well as artists’ information to improve the effectiveness of cataloguing and clients access to the collection
Aided in the design and display of artwork of featured artists and other monthly exhibitions

1990-1996. Corporate Stand designer and Events designer for CORIMON Enterprises (holding of 25 businesses). Caracas, Venezuela

Designed and supervised stand components for national and overseas corporate exhibitions
Successfully implemented ergonomic standards and designed friendly-assembling systems
Collaborated with graphic and industrial designers in photography, typography and structural stand components
Created and produced product display and decoration projects for special events in several different companies of CORIMON

1987-1990. Architecture and design projects for 8-Arte (with Architect Antonio Ochoa P.). Caracas, Venezuela

Teaching Experience

2016-2017. Assistant Professor of Advanced Spanish 3300. The University of Western Ontario. Department of Modern Languages and Literatures. London, ON

Delivered courses of Advanced Spanish 3300 for third and fourth year undergraduate and graduate students of various majors
Developed handouts for in-class and online components of the course
Assessed students’ work and encouraged constructive critique
Assisted students during office hours to help them reach their potential in the course

2011-Present. Instructor of Basic, Intermediate and Advanced Spanish for adults. The University of Western Ontario. Continuing Studies at Western. London, ON

Designs and delivers courses of Basic and Intermediate Spanish for adults (Western University’s employees and general public)
Prepares all teaching material, including Power Point and PDF presentations, handouts, etc.
Assessment of students’ work and provides feedback focusing on strengths and personal outcomes
Actively participates in teaching and professional development workshops

2015. Lab Instructor of Spanish 1030. Summer session. University of Western Ontario, Department of Modern Languages and Literatures. London, Canada

Provided technological tools to help first-year students enhance their written and oral skills
Helped students to identify strengths and weaknesses through in-class oral presentations
Reported grades and attended meetings with course coordinator

2012-2014. Graduate Teaching Assistant of Portuguese 1030, University of Western Ontario, Department of Modern Languages and Literatures

Designed and delivered two full-year courses to first-year students of various majors
Prepared all teaching materials and handouts (including online components)
Responsible for the design and assessment of all tests, exercises and other assignments

2010-2012. Graduate Teaching Assistant of Spanish 1030, University of Western Ontario, Department of Modern Languages and Literatures

Taught two full-year courses designed by the coordinator and supervisor of the Spanish Program
Successfully completed several workshops on “Teaching in the Canadian Classroom” at the Teaching Support Center of Western University
Attended various workshops of Spanish Grammar, Syntax and second language acquisition at the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures at Western University

2004-2006. Graduate Teaching Assistant of 2D Design, Northern Illinois University, Department of Visual Communication. Foundations of 2D and 3D Design Program

Successfully delivered courses on Foundations of 2D Design to first year students of Art and Graphic Design majors, helping them gain and develop essential skills on composition
Designed all teaching materials and handouts for in-class and online components, such as Photoshop, InDesign, digital collage, principles of 2D composition, drawing and painting tutorials
Commissioned to design posters, brochures and the handbook of graduate programs for NIU

2007- 2010. Director of the School of Art and Graphic Design, Universidad de Los Andes. Venezuela

Led committees of curricular design to improve Graphic Design and Visual Art undergraduate programs
Designed admission policies and programs for first year-programs to ease transition from high-school
Attended departmental and other weekly faculty meetings and acted as dean in designated meetings
Supervised faculty research projects, and developed equipment acquisition programs
Posted Faculty positions and joined hiring comities. Followed up hiring administrative processes

1998-2004 & 2006-2010. Associate Professor of Graphic Techniques. Universidad de Los Andes
Department of Graphic Design. Merida, Venezuela

Designed and delivered courses of Foundations of 2D Design, Graphical Techniques and Illustration for students of Graphic Design, aiming the development of visual language and communication skills
Appointed as Head of the Department of Graphic Design (2001) and Department of Visual Arts (2002)
Assessed and displayed students’ work and encouraged constructive critique
Assisted students during office hours to help them reach their potential in the course
Reported grades, joined faculty meetings and attended teaching and leadership workshops

2002-2003. Head of the Department of Graphic Design, Universidad de Los Andes. Faculty of Art

2001-2002. Head of the Department of Visual Arts, Universidad de Los Andes. Faculty of Art

1992-1996. Assistant professor of Graphic Expression and Drawing, Universidad Simon Bolivar, Department of Visual Composition. Caracas, Venezuela

Fully designed and delivered courses of Graphic Expression and Drawing for students of Architecture
Reported grades, joined faculty meetings and attended teaching and curricular workshops
Assessed and displayed students’ work. Led group discussion on goals and achievements

1987-1992. Instructor of Introduction to the Arts and 2D Design), Universidad J. M. Vargas, Department of Design. Caracas, Venezuela.

Undergraduate Courses Designed (developed and defended in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the PhD program in Hispanic Studies)

2014. “Urban Aesthetics of a Polarization.” University of Western Ontario, Department of Modern Languages and Literatures. Supervisor: Professor Alena Robin

2013 . “Creative Visualizations of Latin-American Cities.” University of Western Ontario. Department of Modern Languages and Literatures. Supervisor: Professor Rafael Montano

Courses Designed and taught

2012-2015 . “Spanish The Basics I y II” (Adults). University of Western Ontario. Continuing Studies at Western

2012-2015 . “Spanish Beyond the Basics” (Adults). University of Western Ontario. Continuing Studies at Western

2012-2014 . “Portuguese 1030 for Beginners” (Undergraduate). University of Western Ontario
Department of Modern Languages and Literatures.

2001 . “Illustration.” Undergraduate Intensive Summer session. Universidad de Los Andes. Venezuela
Department of Graphic Design

2001-2010. “Graphic techniques” (Undergraduate). Universidad de Los Andes, Department of Graphic Design. Venezuela

1992-1996. “Graphic Expression” (Undergraduate). Universidad Simon Bolivar. Caracas, Venezuela

1987-1992. “Introduction to the Arts” (Undergraduate). Universidad Jose Maria Vargas. Caracas, Venezuela

1987-1992. “Foundations of 2D design” (Undergraduate). Universidad Jose Maria Vargas. Venezuela.

Selected lectures and presentations (peer reviewed)

2015. “Between walls and wailing. Graffiti and political polarization in Venezuela.” Conference Trans & Trance. University of Western Ontario. Faculty of Arts and Humanitie.

2013. “Sorna, Humor y Crítica en la caricatura de Pedro León Zapata.” Conference: Good laugh, bad laugh, ugly laugh, my laugh. University of Western Ontari.

2012. “El arte urbano contemporáneo, la consolidación de arraigo y conservación de patrimonio.” Conference: Emergenci-es. University of Western Ontario

2009. “Mural Art Projects in Mérida.” Universidad de Los Andes. 10th National Seminar of Aesthetics: Modernity and new modernities

2008. “Confronting the notions of Emptiness, Transparency and No-places in Urban Landscape.” Universidad de Los Andes. 12th International Symposium of Aesthetics

2001. “The City as an Art Laboratory.” Universidad de Los Andes. Faculty of Architecture and Design. Seminar: The Urban space

2000. “Art in The City.” Universidad de Los Andes. Faculty of Humanities. 3rd International Symposium of Aesthetics.

Selected lectures and presentations (invited)

2009. “Self-Portraits 450.” About participation in “Ciudad Marca Arte Urban Project”. Universidad de Los Andes. Faculty of Art

2009. “Contemporary Urban Art projects.” Universidad de Los Andes, Faculty of Architecture and Design

2007. “A methodology for image design.” Universidad de Los Andes. Faculty of Ar

2002. “The Sensitive Color.” Universidad de Los Andes. Faculty of Art. Workshop of photography

2001. “The City as an object and subject of Art.” Universidad de Los Andes. Faculty of Art

2008. “Contemporary Venezuelan Sculpture.”30th Anniversary of the Museum of Modern Art Juan Astorga Anta. Merida, Venezuela.

Publications (peer reviewed publications)

2013. “Rostros y espacios del subdesarrollo en la cinematografía de Tomás Gutiérrez Alea.” Actual 73 journal. Universidad de Los Andes. Merida, Venezuela

2008. “Confronting the notions of Emptiness, Transparency and No-places in the urban landscape.”
Estética 13 journal. Universidad de Los Andes, Faculty of Humanities

2004. “The City in the Visual Arts. Approaching the urban landscape from the aesthetical experience.” Universidad de Los Andes, Faculty of Art

2004. The City and the Artwork. Estética 7 journal. Universidad de Los Andes

2002. “Coexisting spaces in the urban landscape.” Estética 6 journal. Universidad de Los Andes, Merida

1988. “About Fortifications” (With architect Julio González Araujo). Catalog of the VIII National Architecture Biennial. Museo de Bellas Artes de Caracas. Venezuela

1986. “A tale from Urbino” (With architect Julio González Araujo). Universidad Central de Venezuela. Taller Firminy Journal. Vol. 1

1985. “The Castles of Romeo and Juliet.” Universidad Central de Venezuela. Concepts and project for the 3rd International Architecture show at the Venice Biennial. Taller Firminy Journal, Vol. 2., Caraca

Other publications (1997 - 2000. Newspaper articles)

I have also published more than twenty articles about art in Venezuelan newspapers: “Frontera” and “El Vigilante” in Merida. Among others, there can be mentioned: “Todo en-caja (all in-boxes) or the object as the center of the universe”, “Conjugating the death with Felipe Ehremberg”, “FusilArte: about copy, plagiarism and falsification in art”, “Territories of the light of Oscar Gutiérrez”, “Oscar Gutiérrez & Wladimir Guerrero”, “Art and Craftsmanship”, “A journey through sands and seas”, “Staring at the other Brazil”, “Brazil, so far so close”, “About Art and the City”, “Creating in the province.”

Professional affiliations

2014 to present. Modern Language Association. United States
2014 to present. Fulbright Association. US Department of State
2002 to present. Member of the Laboratory of research on Art and Design (LISA-D). Universidad de Los Andes, Faculty of Architecture and Design. Merida, Venezuela
2002 to present. Member of the Center of research on Aesthetics (CIE), Contemporary Art chapter
Universidad de Los Andes. Faculty of Humanities. Venezuela.

Awards

2010. Second Prize in Public Art). Ciudad Marca Arte. Art competition. Merida’s City Hall. Venezuela.

2009. PEI Prize (Prize for the encouragement of researchers). Universidad de Los Andes. Center for the development of science, technology, humanities and art.

2006. Special Mention (Graphic Design). 1st National Show of the Small Format. Museum of Modern Art Juan Astorga Anta. Venezuela

2005. Commission to Design the Image and POP materials of Graduate Programs at Northern Illinois University, USA. Proposal won in a contest between undergraduate and graduate students of Visual Communication

2003. Fulbright Grant. US Department of State, to pursue a MFA in the United State

2001. Second Prize in Painting. Faculty Association annual show (APULA). Universidad de Los Andes. Venezuela

1999. First Prize in Painting. Faculty Association annual show (APULA). Universidad de Los Andes. Venezuela

1999. First Prize in Painting. 1st University Art show (Faculty and students). La Otra Banda Gallery, Merida, Venezuela

1991. Special Mention. “Ideas for Ciudad Bolivar” competition. Ciudad Bolivar government palace
With artists Jose Sigala, Harry Schuster, Boris Ramirez and Antonio Ochoa. Venezuela

1985. Special Mention in drawing. 3rd Art Show. Santa Maria University. Caracas, Venezuela.