Meet the Artist

Marisa Avila is an interdisciplinary artist from Sacramento, CA who currently resides in the South Bay Area. She graduates from San Jose State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, focusing on Pictorial Art practices, as well as a Minor in Ceramics. 

Marisa Avila’s work explores a deep, spiritual connection to nature, Earth, and sense of self. Their art reflects our physical, spiritual, and emotional experiences as active influences in society, and highlights elements of nature that she feels are “less appreciated”. She loves to explore the world and find peace in their relationship with the landscape, allowing flow to show in each artwork.

Marisa Avila investigates these ideas through use of 2D abstract and realism work such as paintings and drawings, mostly using the following mediums: oil paint, charcoal, graphite, color pencil, micron pen, and india ink. As a ceramicist, she feels clay allows themself to feel grounded and free, as well as a sense of respect for pottery’s  process and history. She’s also a writer and a poet, utilizing words as an avenue of release and making sense of life's experiences.


Curriculum Vitae - CV

Education

2025 Bachelor of Fine Arts, Pictorial Arts & Minor in Ceramics, 

San Jose State University, San Jose, CA 

2024 IMPRINT Artist Residency & Workshop, San José, Costa Rica

Exhibitions

2025 Essence of Life, BFA Solo Exhibition Pictorial Arts, San Jose State

University, San Jose, CA

2025 Clayscape Room, Ceramics Exhibition, San Jose State

University, San Jose, CA


2024 Querida Emilia, te cuento… IMPRINT Community Mural, 

Museo de Arte Costarricense, San José, Costa Rica


2024 Everything From Here To There, Dirty Brushes Club, San 

Jose State University, San Jose, CA


2023 This, That, and the Other, Freshed Press x Dirty Brushes 

Club, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA 


2022 Synergy, Women in Art Exhibition, San Jose State 

University, San Jose, CA