Maria Zamora is an interdisciplinary visual artist, patron service manager at Northwest Film Forum and a teaching artist at Coyote Central. “In my personal work as an interdisciplinary artist, I enjoy experimenting with different mediums and techniques such as screen printing, collaging and painting combining different subjects, textures and contrasting colors into a single piece.” Learn about Maria Zamora…
Hometown: Born in Merida, Venezuela. Currently in Seattle.
First job: Selling concessions at a cafe at the botanical garden in Merida.
Favorite ways to spend your free time in WA: Going on long walks to Olympic Sculpture Park, thrifting or having a picnic with my friends on a sunny day.
Your biggest accomplishment and why: Becoming a screen printing apprentice at Fabric Workshop Museum in Philadelphia counts as one of my biggest accomplishments. Through this opportunity I got to meet and work with talented emerging and established local artists, learned to screen print on a large scale creating and printing textile patterns on up to eight yards of fabric and got to assist during one the museum’s opening exhibitions which was very exciting.
Another big accomplishment occurred after completing the apprenticeship at FWM and consisted of creating spaces where to share my screen printing knowledge with others and to make this medium more accessible for those who haven’t had a chance to try it. This is what led me to start teaching the first Screen Printing course at Coyote Central and to develop a hands on screen printing workshop at Northwest Film Forum during the Children’s Film Festival Seattle.
And last but not least, I am very proud of having collaborated with another artist, Kamyar Mohsenin, in designing tote bags to support a nonprofit animal shelter in Venezuela by donating the proceeds of the bags sold.
The biggest obstacle you overcame: I think I am still working on overcoming my impostor syndrome but the more time I spend creating and sharing art with others or participating in group shows, the more confident I feel in my work.
Someone who inspires you and why: I am currently very inspired by the rise of Venezuelan emerging artists and designers, some of them who continue to create art from Venezuela despite the current socio-economic challenges. Their work makes Venezuelans like myself feel seen, represented and connected with the home country I no longer live in. Some artists that come to mind are UhCaribe, and the ones who created the brands Rocatarpeya and Garzez.
Advice to someone pursuing a career path in what you do: If you can’t take the courses you want in school or college, try to learn them yourself online. There are plenty of affordable resources out there. Research opportunities such as mentorships, apprenticeships or internships in the areas you are passionate about. You will get to meet people who inspire you and point you in the direction you want to go. Lastly, visit museums and galleries and get to know local artists.
Favorite quote: I recently heard this quote from my cousin, artist and friend, Noelle King, which I can relate to. “I’ve been absolutely terrified every moment of my life, and I’ve never let it keep me from a single thing that I wanted to do.” –Georgia O’Keeffe
Something someone would be surprised to learn about you: I first considered becoming a veterinarian before going to school for visual arts.
What makes someone fabulous: A good sense of humor.