Today we’d like to introduce you to Jesse Fregozo
Hi Jesse, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Hello everyone my name is Jesse Fregozo, I was born in East Los Angeles, a first-generation Mexican-American raised in Boyle Heights. I began my education through the public school district of Los Angeles, LAUSD. I then attended California State University, Dominguez Hills, and receiving a double major Bachelors Degree in Art&Design and Studio Art. Being part of this institutions in LAUSD and my community of Boyle Heights, embraced the love for the arts and inspired me to begin my early art practices at the age of only 8 years old.
Whether it was walking to school or to the Oscar de la Hoya Boxing gym during the early 2000s, I witnessed at times walls and public property being on the scene of criminal activity and vandalism. Even though this was the case, I saw other walls, glorified with beautiful imagery and colors that reflected my community, personal Identity, and my culture. This completely transformed a blank small business wall into a portal for a young kid’s imagination to access and transport into a whole different world. Public art, “Muralismo” was what sparked the desire in me to be an artist.
I began my art practices at an early age but I was never part of any art program or institution due to the lack of resources and connections that would get me involved. But this never stopped me, the lack of resources transformed me into a self-taught artist that many classmates and members of my community began to recognize due to my dedication and intentional stories behind my art that were reflected in the executions of my work.
I took my first art class at Roosevelt high school and completely fell in love with it. Being exposed to art materials and putting to use my first set of drawing pencils instead of only using my traditional HB pencil, really lifted the quality of my artwork. The quality of my artwork was very noticeable that my art teacher encourage me to apply to the 2010’s Congressional Art Competition, which was taking place in Washington DC.
My artwork was then selected and showcased in the US House of Representatives for over 3 weeks and seen as “An Artistic Discovery”. When receiving the newsletter and certificate of recognition about my artwork being exhibited in Washington DC, I was extremely happy and caused all types of emotions in me that fueled me to fully pursue a career within the arts.
When attending California State University, Dominguez Hills I then meet artist friends that introduced me to different forms of art and eventually became part of the Dominguez Hills Arts Collective, which was composed of a group of undergrad student artists in college that carried artist goals similar to mine. I also meet professors like Devon Tsuno and Gilah Hirsch that drove me into what a professional artist’s life and works are like.
After I was done with college and working in the field as a Graphic Designer, I remember driving back to my community one day and stopping by a local small business market called “Yolis Market”. Where I noticed an artist working on a mural. I introduced myself and told him I loved his work and he asked me if I also made artwork, I immediately responded, “Yes, I am also an artist” and showed him a couple of my artworks on social media. He then invited me to his studio. Little did I know I had just meet 2024 NEA award winning artist and community leader Fabian Debora, Executive director and founder of the Homeboy Art Academy.
After meeting Fabian Debora we became very close friends and he eventually turned into my mentor. He then opened his door to me and I became a teaching artist at the Homeboy Art Academy and began to conduct art workshops for formerly incarcerated youth. I began to teach at juvenile facilities, Parks & Recreations as well as conduct art lectures for the youth from Homeboy Industries at the Homeboy Art Academy.
Taking this path in my artist career and as time past, I began to meet other amazing artists at the Homeboy Art Academy that turned in to family and began to exhibit artwork across LA County. This then caught the attention of other great artist, curators and organizers that I eventually began to collaborate and work with. I then began to work with legends in the Arts like Man One who is also a great friend and mentor. I began to Curate art Exhibitions like “Innerlinks” at Artshare LA or like this past January 2025, when I was invited to curated a show at the Hilton hotel in Anaheim titled “Notes from the Sol”.
I was also invited a few months ago to visit Mexico City by Chicano Sin Fronteras to represent the Homeboy Art Academy. I was able to show and talk about my artwork amongst other great artists, poets, professionals and Mexican officials. After I came back from Mexico City I then began to work for the Social and Public Art Resource Center, SPARC, along side Co founder and Artistic Director Legendary Judy Baca were we are currently working on a mural project titled The Great Wall of Los Angeles. This project is consider to be the longest mural in the world.
Besides just currently working with Judy Baca at SPARC on the Great Wall of Los Angeles project and being a teaching artist for The Homeboy Art Academy with Fabian Debora , I am also working on a mural project of my own at a school in LAUSD as well as exhibiting artwork at Stay Gallery, located in the city of Downey.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been a smooth road at all. Back in 2021 the LTAC building in downtown LA where my first studio was located got caught on fire and l lost all of my artwork, supplies and equipment. This was a huge loss for me because I had to start from ground zero and make my way through again. Another huge loss l had was at the beginning of this year when my mother passed away. Beginning part of the Oscar de la Hoya Boxing youth center since the age of 7 years old and growing up in a marginalized community has made me go though huge battles and fights throughout my life but this was about the biggest hit I’ve ever had which I was able to stay strong and get up by creating artwork to escape my own reality and slowly begin to move forward.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Jesse Fregozo is a native Angeleno who primarily works as a muralist and teaching artist. He vocalizes the struggles of marginalized communities through the representation of identity and culture as a primary focus. Fregozo uses locations around his community as symbols of identity and a cultural lifestyle that has been carried down generation after generation. Fregozo straddles the line between design and pop culture in the
development of his work. His intense works on paper, photography, and design are mediums for the development of his artwork on murals and canvas. Fregozo is currently
part of the Homeboy Art Academy Artist in Residence Program. This past spring he painted a mural titled “Roots of South Central” at the Orthopaedic Hospital Medical Magnet High School involving students, community, and staff. Fregozo also received an
honorary mention during the “35×35” art exhibition organized by “Centro Cultural y Cinematografico Mexico” at the Consulate General of Mexico in Los Angeles. He was also invited by Chicano Sin Fronteras to Mexico City to represent the Homeboy Art Academy and talk about this work during encuentros and artist panels. Fregozo is currently exhibiting work at Stay Gallery in the city of Downey and working at SPARC on the Great Wall of Los Angeles mural project, along side Co-founder legendary artist Judy Baca. This is considered to be the longest mural project in the world.
I feel that l am proud of all my work, because it all carries something special and unique.
What sets me apart from other artists is that I always like taking a step and never hold back when it comes to making artwork and project handle.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I believe risk taking is part of life. If we want to grow in our business then we have to learn to take risks. Taking risks is very important when being an artist because it can do two things either make you or brake you but yet again if we don’t take risks we don’t move it’s almost like running in place and that it’s self isn’t all very productive.
I’ve taken major risks throughout my career. I feel l am taking a risk every time l get out of my comfort zone and feel an adrenaline rush on a project. Besides being an artist or painter I’ve also handled mural projects through LAUSD and curated art exhibition where collaborations with other organizations and artists is needed.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fregozo_arte
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessef.lokz
Image Credits
Art Gang
Bosco Maltez
