ABOUT
Mario Mesquita is a multidisciplinary artist, educator, and community justice activist based in Portland, Oregon. His work explores and questions knowledge and relationships created through socially created boundaries. Trained in graphic arts and socially engaged arts, his practice moves from dialogue to visual representation finding a middle ground of engagement in his professional labor in education to advocacy. As the son of a first-generation college graduate, knowledge sharing has centered around his professional and artistic career.
Rooted in his experiences as an advocate, collaborator, and educator Mario’s artistic social practice is a reflection of his commitment to social change and meaningful engagement. Mario holds a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Public Practice from Otis College of Art and Design and dual Bachelor of Arts (BA) degrees in Spanish and Multimedia Design from the University of Oregon, providing a rich academic foundation for their creative endeavors.
With experience in photography and painting, Mario’s Socially Engaged Artwork explores the convergence of interpersonal relationships, community histories, and knowledge-sharing strategies. He is a founding member of the Michelada Think Tank, a collective dedicated to fostering dialogue and action around issues affecting Black, Indigenous, People of Color, or Global Majority.
Throughout their career, Mario has been actively involved in creating impactful programs, fostering collaboration, and promoting organizational growth in the arts and culture sector. Their advocacy, education, and artistic endeavors are deeply rooted in creating spaces for dialogue, collaboration, and social justice.
Mario’s commitment to arts access and education is evident in their work as an educator, mentor, and facilitator of community-centered projects and having worked as the Education Manager at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego from 2016-2021. His project Paletas Communal Social Club (neé Paletas Santa Monica), on an going project fostering community dialogue and action through artistic interventions through culture and conversation as a bridge between strangers. He calls these interventions “collaborations,” underscoring Mario’s keen interest in exploring art as a vehicle for knowledge transfer and learning, intersections of identity, culture, as well as its influence as an agent of social inquiry and change.
Mario has worked with the city of Santa Monica, exhibited at San Diego Art Institute, Museum of Latin American Art, and Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego; presented at the Americans for the Arts Conference 2018; and as a founding member of the Michelada Think Tank, presented at Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions, Open Engagement Conference, as well as Common Field conferences.
Mario Mesquita’s vision is to continue bridging communities, fostering meaningful connections, and advocating for positive social change through the transformative power of art and culture.