Acosta, Marina (Marina)

Hi everyone, my name is Marina Acosta and my pronouns are she/her/hers. I am a World Arts and Cultures major and a Visual and Performing Arts Education minor. I transferred from Santa Monica College and should be graduating this year. I am interested in the use of public art as a tool to create discussion surrounding political and societal issues. Other topics I am interested in are dismantling the prison industrial complex, reforming the public/private education system to provide more arts programs and mental health resources, advocating for the humane treatment of those who struggle with homelessness, and bringing awareness to the importance of treating the earth with love and respect (keeping in mind that we all belong to Mother Earth).

I was born and raised in Los Angeles and have spent the majority of my life in the Mar Vista neighborhood and surrounding areas. My maternal grandparents were born in Zacatecas, Mexico and Mexico City, and my paternal grandparents were born in Zacatecas, Mexico and New Jersey, United States. My mother was born in San Francisco, California but would drive with her sisters and parents to Zacatecas every summer. My father was born in Los Angeles and grew up mostly in Culver City, the Marina and Venice. My parents met while they were both on vacation in Zacatecas, Mexico visiting family, and started a long distance relationship from L.A. to the bay. They eventually got married and started a family of my two older brothers and I, based in L.A.. I am taking this course because I am proud of my Mexican-American heritage and want to feel more connected to it by seeing what types of topics Chicana artists touch on (not assuming that all Chicana artists only discuss topics surrounding their heritage). Thank you!