Today we’d like to introduce you to Cora Ramirez-Vasquez.
Hi Cora, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I opened my private practice in 2010, to offer mental health services to the Spanish speaking community. Our gallery and practice are in the same space. I am co-owner of Gallery Azul and I have a private practice in which I provide psychotherapy and art therapy. My husband, our daughter, and I moved to San Pedro in 2006 and opened Gallery Azul. We wanted to provide opportunities for artists and offer an art platform for diversity and community cultural education. I opened my private practice in 2010. Our gallery and practice are in the same space.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Selling art is a struggle and not our main source of revenue. Therefore the combination of a private practice has made it possible to offer opportunities to artists. In my practice, I offer a sliding scale in order to make therapy accessible to the community. We have been lucky with our venture and my practice.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am an artist and psychotherapist. I create art, specifically, I like to paint portraits. I am currently working on a series of sleeping icons who are deceased. I read about their lives, create an assessment of sorts which guides the portrait process. I am combining my profession as a therapist and as an artist. The creative process has been a strength for me as a mental health practitioner because it helps me see people as works in progress, which we all are. Our gallery is a platform for diversity and has provided a jumpstart into the art world, not only for my husband, daughter, and I, but also for other artists.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
Gallery Azul’s vision is to use art to stimulate, inform, and educate the community. To have a platform that allows artists to have a voice about culture, current events, and historical events that impact us all. My private practice focuses on helping individuals find their voice, and to empower them to best version of themselves, and to remind them that we are all works in progress.
Contact Info:
- Email: Galleryazul@yahoo.com
- Website: www.galleryazul.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/galleryazul?igshid=1ohswbwz2ulkq
- Facebook: @galleryazul
- Twitter: @galleryazul
- Other: www.coraramirezvasquez.com
