ARTe VallARTa Museo
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Dear Mexico residency

Neighbor of sun-kissed hues
Brother in the palette of life
No white, no black,
Yet brown, a silent symphony.

Amidst echoes of solitude,
I discovered your quiet strength,
A humble embrace of earth’s embrace,
I knew our destinies intertwined.

In the canvas of our encounter,
I found not just a country,
But a lover in the hues of your essence,
A love story painted with the brushstrokes of destiny.

CMT

In envisioning my residency at Arte VallARTa Museo, I am eager to foster a collaborative relationship with the local community and environment, emphasizing mutual inspiration. Grounded in curiosity, my goal is to connect with the vibrant Latin community, seeking to cultivate a new art collection. Recognizing the unique qualities of Puerto Vallarta, a small town rich in both tourists and locals, in stark contrast to my hometown of Los Angeles ,I am intrigued by the intimate setting and the abundance of nature that characterizes Puerto Vallarta. I believe this environment significantly shapes one’s lived experience in our modern, ever-changing world.

Coming from a sprawling metropolis like Los Angeles, I have always grappled with the challenges inherent to big city life, viewing the world through a specific lens. My art, rooted in my introverted nature as a quiet observer, has evolved with time. As I progress in my artistic journey, I am seeking to broaden my experiences for personal growth and creative inspiration.

I firmly believe that, as humans, we are all artists, observers of our environments and creators of our reality. With the right encouragement, we can cultivate diverse forms of creative expression to share with others. In the face of a polarizing internet and media landscape, society often succumbs to binary thinking, categorizing people, places, and things as either good or bad, right or wrong, with us or against us. Without awareness, these thought patterns can deepen divisions.

My art serves as my rebellion against the societal boxes attempting to confine us. At its core, my art conveys the battle against the illusion of human differences. Growing up with a Black father and a White mother, I often found myself struggling to fit into predefined racial categories. Rejected for not being “white enough” or “black enough” to assimilate into either culture, I yearned for acceptance. It was the Latin Americans from Mexico who embraced me, teaching me Spanish and making me feel like family during my formative years.

This early experience has fueled my desire to explore different communities, understanding the boxes they have been placed in. I aim to spotlight their stories, emphasizing the message of unity. The Arte VallARTa Museo residency program, with its unique resources and location, presents an invaluable opportunity to advance my artistry and professional career. It grants me access to a wholly different lifestyle and environment that I am eager to learn from and share my experiences with.

In particular, I am excited to share my narrative as a self-taught urban artist, channeling my observations and critiques of the world into creative expression. Through my residency work, I will be developing my signature series, “Illusion of Ignorance & Echoes of Identity”

I believe that language holds immense power in shaping artistic expression. In my series “Echoes of Identity,” the choice of specific words and phrases became the heartbeat of each artwork, delving into the multilayered meanings of words related to identity. Additionally, the installation “Illusion of Ignorance” underscored the potency of written narratives by transforming personal stories into visual elements. These examples highlight how language can transcend literal meanings, becoming a vehicle for shared understanding and connection within diverse communities.

I look forward to the transformative journey this residency promises, both personally and artistically.

Drawing from my experience, I firmly believe that sharing relatable emotional experiences and fostering a culture of learning are integral in uniting people. Through my residency, I am dedicated to accentuating these pillars of unity via engaging community activities. Firstly, I plan to conduct a workshop where participants can discover the power of infusing words and writings into their artwork, adding deeper layers of meaning. Secondly, I aim to facilitate a meaningful discussion exploring the concept of “unity” within the Arte VallARTa Museo community. I will share my personal journey, grappling with the illusion of human differences, and create a space for collective reflection on the societal constraints each of us faces. The culmination of these activities will be a live interactive art piece, inviting community members to contribute their artistic expressions on a shared canvas. This collaborative masterpiece will be showcased at the annual arts festival, symbolizing our collective journey in breaking free from societal confinements and dispelling illusions of differences.

In closing, I embark on this residency adventure with paintbrush in hand and words as my companions. Let’s turn the canvas of diversity into a masterpiece of shared stories and laughter. After all, art should not only be seen but also felt, experienced, and maybe, just maybe, shared with a sprinkle of artistic mischief. Here’s to creating, connecting, and leaving a splash of color wherever the residency winds may take me!

Chad Mical Thomas,

Chad Thomas

Birth Year: January 7, 1993
Location of Birth: Maui Hawaii
Nationality: USA
Mediums: Painting
Type of Artist in the Banderas Bay Area: Visiting Artist
The artist lived and created art in the Bajia de Banderas area: No
Phone: 8189632856
Website: https://chadmicalthomas.com/
Instagram: Chadthomas1