Torres, Sarahy (Wiki Draft: Ilien Guadalupe Tolteca)

Ilien Guadalupe Tolteca (2001) is a mixed media artist known for her commission “Desde Casita” where she promoted vaccination through coloring books. 

Biography

Early Life

Ilien Guadalupe Tolteca was born in Ventura, CA and raised in Oxnard, CA. She is the daughter of a field worker and line cook. Her work is inspired by her identity of being Mexican American and lacking space for representation. She shows in her art “Ni de Aqui, Ni de Alla” to represent her belonging of two identities.

Education

Tolteca is an undergraduate student double majoring in visual arts and Chicanx Studies at the California State University of Channel Islands (CSUCI).

School Involvement

She is heavily involved in student government as the Senator of Commuters and Transportation. She advocates for more alternative ways of transportation for the local students which are primarily Latino students and easier accessibility to the Multicultural Dream Center for underrepresented students.

 

In high school, she was honored by the Teaching and Educational Careers Academy at Pacifica High School as an outstanding leader in the year 2016-2017.

Community Involvement

She is involved in her community through the Oxnard Performing Arts Center where she donated coloring books to promote vaccination rates in Oxnard, CA. In addition, she donates stickers to local organizations such as Oxnard Student Success for their 2019-2020 school supply distribution.

Art

• Keep your community safe, vaccinate! is a coloring book that promotes vaccination in the community. This project began in 2021.

• No Rompas Mas is a sticker showcasing Mexican candy. The sticker was created in 2020.

• Desde Casita is a project created in 2021 to recognize essential workers specifically field workers.

References

1. Patel, Shivani. “Hundreds of Oxnard Area Students Get Donated School Supplies.” Ventura County Star, Ventura County Star, 15 Sept. 2020, https://www.vcstar.com/story/news/2020/09/14/oxnard-area-kindergarten-12-students-get-donated-school-supplies/5790015002/.  

2. Stories, Local. “Meet Ilien Guadalupe Tolteca of La Tiendita De Buffy in Oxnard - Voyage La Magazine: La City Guide.” Voyage LA Magazine | LA City Guide, 23 Sept. 2020, http://voyagela.com/interview/meet-ilien-guadalupe-tolteca-la-tiendita-de-buffy-oxnard/. 

3. “Kid's Coloring Book.” OPAC, https://www.oxnardperformingarts.com/kidrsquos-coloring-book.html. 

4. The CI View. “Ilien Tolteca: Student Government Senator Candidate.” The CI View, 10 Apr. 2021, https://civiewnews.com/news/ilien-tolteca-asi-elections-student-government-senator-candidate/. 

5. “Student of the Month.” Welcome to TECA!!!  Building Leaders and Changing Lives since 2007, http://www.tecaphs.com/student-of-the-month.html. 

6. “2021-2022 ASI Election Candidates.” 2021-2022 ASI Election Candidates - Associated Students, Inc. (ASI) - CSU Channel Islands, https://asi.csuci.edu/asi-elections/asielectioncandidates.htm. 

Further reading

• “Meeting Agendas and Minutes Archive.” Meeting Agendas and Minutes Archive - Student Government - CSU Channel Islands, https://studentgov.csuci.edu/agendas-minutes-16-17/agenda-archive.htm. 

• Santos, Senerey de los. “Vaccine Outreach Campaign Begins in Ventura County.” NewsChannel 3-12, 18 June 2021, https://keyt.com/news/2021/06/17/vaccine-outreach-campaign-begins-in-ventura-county/

External links

• https://ne-np.facebook.com/OxnardPerformingArts/videos/personal-invitation-by-local-artist-ilien-tolteca-aka-buffythis-sunday-dont-miss/365688215074512/?extid=SEO---- 
• https://www.instagram.com/_labuffy_/
• https://latienditadebuffy.bigcartel.com/
• https://www.depop.com/products/buffs_-desde-casita-is-a-commission-68f1/