Yen Ospina is a Colombian-American self-taught artist who blends traditional and digital mediums to create works rich in storytelling and cultural resonance. Drawing inspiration from folklore, etching, and lithographs, Yen's digital pieces offer a unique twist—each one layered with narratives that inspire her. Her signature style incorporates saturated earth tones, making her work instantly recognizable and deeply rooted in a vibrant cultural identity.

In her traditional abstract paintings, Yen shifts focus inward, using the medium to express personal emotions and introspection, contrasting the storytelling nature of her digital work. This duality allows her to explore both the external world of culture and mythology and the internal world of emotion and self-reflection.

In addition to her studio work, Yen is an accomplished muralist, having painted over seven murals throughout the Ithaca area. Beyond her artistic practice, Yen is dedicated to uplifting marginalized voices. Through her nomadic Orozco Gallery, she curates exhibitions that center BIPOC artists, providing a platform for emerging talent. As the newly appointed president of the Latino Civic Association, Yen is passionate about creating community events that support and celebrate the Hispanic/Latine community in Tompkins County.

Yen's artistic journey began in 2013 with traditional painting, and by 2020 she had taught herself digital art. In January 2022, Yen made the bold leap to become a full-time artist, fully embracing the life of creative exploration, community-building, and cultural storytelling.

 

Press

• Wikipedia page
• 2025 “We Are La Voz” Collaboration w/ Cornell University
• 2024 WENY News Resilience through Art & Community
• 2024 "Spring Into Art" Curation
• 2024 All Things Equal Interview
• 2024 LCA Building Community
• 2024 Surrealismo De Ensuenos @ Mix Gallery in WHATS HOT Magazine
• 2023 Hispanic & Latino Exhibition Curator
• Founder & Event Coordinator of Ithaca's Latinx Heritage Fiesta
• 2023 "Fluida Vida" Painting Series
• Founder of Latinx Heritage Annual Fiesta
• Self Made Artist : Yen Ospina
• 2022 Best Of Ithaca “Yen Ospina : Visual Artist” 
• 2021 Best Of Ithaca "Yen Ospina : Visual Artist" 
• 2020 Women In Business
• 2020 Vote Mural Ithaca Journal
• WENY NEWS : Holiday Market - Yen Ospina
• 2019 History Center Interview

Awards

• Community Arts Catalyst Award, Community Arts Partnership, 2024
• Best Visual Artist Award, Ithaca Times, 2021, 2022, 2024

Where you can find my work

• Artist Trail
• Handwork Coop
• Mimi's Attic
• Willow Floral Studios
• Memorial Art Gallery
• Little Button Craft
• Figgy Shop
• Papavero Clay Studios

Join my patreon

CV

Yen Ospina
Visual Artist | Curator | Activist
Full-Time Traditional and Digital Artist

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About Me

I am a Colombian-American artist and curator based in Upstate NY. My work explores themes of identity, culture, and surrealism, blending vibrant storytelling with a commitment to community. As a self-taught artist, I transitioned to full-time artistry in 2022, and since then, I've curated BIPOC exhibitions, founded Ithaca's Annual Heritage Fiesta, and collaborated with organizations such as Gap and Ithaca Hummus. Through my art and activism, I aim to empower marginalized voices and spark meaningful connections.

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Awards and Recognition

• Community Arts Catalyst Award, Community Arts Partnership, 2024
• Best Visual Artist Award, Ithaca Times, 2021, 2022, 2024

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Collaborations with Companies

• Limited-Edition "Fantasmas y Libros" T-Shirts, Collaboration with Buffalo Street Books, October 2024
• Collaboration with Greenstar, 2022 — Artwork for totes, shirts, and mugs
• Collaboration with Gap, 2021-2022 — Artwork sold on shirts
• Commissioned by Ithaca Hummus, 2021 — "Get Out the Vote" mural

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Notable Projects and Initiatives

• Panelist, WOMEN’S FUND ANNUAL LUNCHEON AND CELEBRATION, Community Foundation, November 2024
• Creative Symposium, Invited by Tioga Arts Council to speak on Art, Activism, and Community, November 2024
• Interviewed by W.E.N.Y. News, October 2024 — "National Hispanic Heritage Month: Resilience through Art and Community"
• Guest Speaker, Cornell University, Latinx Studies Course, October 2024
• Launched Nomadic Orozco Gallery, January 2024
• Organizer, Porchfest Makers Market, September 2023 - Present
• Activist Speaker, March 2023 - Present — Spoke at Ithaca High School about the transformative power of art in driving positive change
• Founder & Event Producer/Coordinator, Ithaca's Latine/Hispanic Heritage Fiesta, October 2022 - Present

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Selected Exhibitions

2025

• "Authentically Ours", Curator & Group Exhibit, KC Potter Center - Vanderbilt University, TN
• "Praxis Gallery", TBA
  
• "We Are La Voz, Resilience Through Art", Curator & Group Exhibit, Orozco Gallery Pop Up - Collaboration with Cornell, NY

2024

• "Showcasing Hispanic/Latine Artists", Curator & Group Exhibit, Community School of Music & Arts, NY
• "Present Conversations II", Curator & Group Exhibit, CAP ArtSpace, NY
• “Surrealismo De Ensueños”, Solo Exhibit, Mix Art Gallery, NY
• “Drop by Drop”, Group Exhibit, Trumansburg Conservatory of Fine Arts, NY
• "Spring Into Art", Curator & Group Exhibit, Hair Color Art, NY

2023

• “We Are Made of Star Stuff”, Solo Exhibit, The Rockwell Museum, NY
• “Hispanic & Latine Artists”, Curator & Group Exhibit, Community School of Music & Arts Gallery, NY
• "Present Conversations I", Curator & Group Exhibit, CAP ArtSpace, NY
• “Fluida Vida”, Solo Exhibit, Community Arts Partnership Gallery, NY (Virtual Exhibit)
• “68th Rochester Finger Lakes Juried Exhibition”, Memorial Art Gallery, Rochester, NY
• “Saturation”, Solo Exhibit, August Moon Spa, NY

2022

• Yen Ospina Solo Exhibit, The Downstairs, NY
• “Semillas Al Viento”, Group Exhibit, Community School of Music & Arts Gallery, NY
• “Essence”, Group Exhibit, Cherry Artspace, NY
• “Joyeria y Arte”, Tioga Arts Council Gallery, NY

2021

• Yen Ospina Solo Exhibit, Hector Handmade, NY
• “Between Starshine & Clay”, Group Exhibit, Tioga Arts Council, NY
• “15 Feet”, Group Exhibit, State of The Art Gallery, NY
• “Warmth & Hues”, Solo Exhibit, Community Arts Partnership Gallery, NY

2020

• “Art Of The Quarantine”, Virtual Exhibit, THE Q Gallery

Traditional Works

Metamorfosis | 2025

Camino Incierto | 2025

Resurgir | 2025

Sueño V | 2024

Sueño V | 2024

Sueño Vll | 2024