News & Collaborations
Sold 5 Paintings!
I’m beyond thrilled to share some exciting news—I’ve sold five of my paintings in 2025! Knowing that my traditional works have found their forever homes fills me with so much joy and gratitude. From my recent series Fragments of Becoming (2025), the pieces Cicatriz, Resurgir, Vestigio, and Cauce Profundo have all been collected. Each of these works explores themes of healing, growth, and self-discovery through abstract mixed media. Inspired by my own experiences of resilience and renewal, this series embraces imperfection as a form of beauty, weaving together a visual narrative of transformation and becoming.
Alongside these, I also sold Vulnerability, one of my absolute favorite pieces from my very first abstract series Fluida Vida (2023). That series marked the beginning of my journey into abstraction, and seeing Vulnerability go to a loving home feels especially meaningful.
There are still pieces available from both series, and if you’re interested in collecting one, you can view them here. To dive deeper into the inspiration and story behind each collection, you can learn more here.
I feel so lucky that I get to share my inner world through both traditional and digital art. Every painting carries a part of me, and knowing they now live with people who connect with them is an indescribable feeling. Thank you for supporting my work, my voice, and this ongoing journey of creation and self-expression.
Orozco Gallery Pop Up Space | 2025
Collaboration w/ Cornell - Rural Humanities Grant | 2025
In May 2025, Orozco Gallery transformed 115 S Cayuga Street into a month-long pop-up that celebrated creativity, culture, and connection. Curated by local artist and activist Yen Ospina, the gallery became a lively hub where art was not only displayed but lived and shared. With over 25 events and hundreds of attendees, it offered an inclusive space for joy, dialogue, and healing.
Programming was intentionally diverse—ranging from bilingual Spanish Story Time, Afro-Cuban and Bossa Nova sets, and Colombian dance, to puppet theatre, zine-making, and Sip & Paint nights. Workshops and talks with BIPOC creators opened space for vulnerability, storytelling, and shared inspiration.
The gallery’s ethos centered accessibility: a sober environment with mocktails and aguas frescas, sliding-scale admission, and events for all ages. Supported by the Latino Civic Association, Cornell’s Einhorn Center, the Rural Humanities Grant, and others, the initiative concluded with a heartfelt closing reception and dance party. Though temporary, Orozco Gallery left a lasting imprint, reminding Ithaca what can be built when art and community intersect.
To learn more or support future projects CLICK HERE
https://as.cornell.edu/news/we-are-la-voz-event-highlights-latine-artists
Praxis Gallery Group Exhibition | 2025
The opening of Sister Outsider at Praxis Gallery in Binghamton was an unforgettable evening filled with powerful art and community connection. Featuring work by @loveonartwork, @ghostoverhuman, and myself, the exhibit centers immersive installations that explore themes of waywardness, transformation, and the impact of social issues on women’s lives.
The turnout was fantastic, and I’m deeply grateful for the thoughtful feedback I received on my new pieces from Fragments of Becoming. It’s always a joy to be part of a group exhibition—there’s something truly inspiring about seeing how different artists approach similar themes from distinct perspectives. Sister Outsider continues Praxis Gallery’s commitment to cross-disciplinary art forms and socially engaged ideas, creating a space where dialogue and creative expression thrive. If you haven’t seen it yet, I highly recommend visiting and experiencing the work in person—each piece invites you into a layered, emotional, and transformative world.
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Collaboration w/ KC Potter Center - Vanderbilt University | 2025
In March 2024, I was invited by the KC Potter Center at Vanderbilt University to curate a group BIPOC & Queer exhibition, an opportunity that allowed me to expand my work beyond New York. This exhibition highlighted the intersection of identity, culture, and artistic expression, providing a platform for underrepresented voices within the queer and BIPOC communities.
Alongside curating the show, I led artist talks, fostering meaningful conversations about representation, resilience, and the power of storytelling through art. Engaging with a new audience in a different region reinforced the importance of these spaces, and I am proud to continue expanding my curatorial work to institutions and communities beyond the Finger Lakes.
This experience reaffirmed my commitment to creating inclusive and empowering exhibitions, ensuring that BIPOC and Queer artists have platforms to share their stories, not just in New York, but wherever art can be a catalyst for change.
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Fragments Of Becoming | 2025
Fragments of Becoming: A Meditation on Transformation
In my third series of abstract work, Fragments of Becoming, I explore the quiet weight of transformation—the way life’s fractures, both seen and unseen, unravel the familiar yet offer the raw material for something new to emerge. This collection unfolds as a meditation on healing, resilience, and the beauty found in imperfection.
Through layered pigments, fluid movement, and intricate embroidery, I trace the nonlinear paths of becoming. Each piece began as a foundation of chaos—unstructured layers of acrylic paint, pigments, and alcohol inks—echoing moments of uncertainty. Stitched threads wind across the surface, marking the labor of repair, while textures invite the eye to follow their course, pausing at spaces of clarity and connection.
Teaching myself embroidery for this series was an act of patience and trust—trial and error guiding my hands until the thread felt like second nature. Each stitch, an intention. Each knot, a lesson. Every fiber woven into these works holds a piece of that journey.
I invite you to step into these spaces with me. To trace the paths of transformation. To find yourself in the fractures and the mending.
The ten works in this series are:
✨ Umbral - Threshold
✨ Metamorfosis - Metamorphosis
✨ Vestigio - Trace, footprint of the past
✨Sombra y Luz - Shadow and light
✨ Resurgir - To Rise Again
✨ Entre Hilos y Sombras - Between Threads and Shadows
✨ Camino Incierto - Uncertain Path
✨ Cicatriz - Scar
✨Cauce Profundo - Deep current
✨ Verdad Intima - Intimate Truth
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Zine Workshop w/ Ithaca Highschool Students
I had the rewarding opportunity to lead a zine-making workshop with three different classes at Ithaca High School, where I introduced students to the creative process of crafting their own zines. Watching their enthusiasm grow as they explored personal expression through collage, writing, and illustration was incredibly fulfilling. It was inspiring to see them embrace the medium, each creating unique works that reflected their individual voices. Teaching them this new skill not only empowered them to express themselves but also reinforced my belief in the transformative power of art education. The experience was truly a highlight in my journey as an artist and educator.
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Guest Speaker at Cornell University | 2024
I had the honor of being invited by Debra Castillo as a guest speaker to explore the intersections of art, activism, and culture in Ithaca. I discussed how the Hispanic/Latine community contributes to the city’s cultural landscape and how art fosters dialogue and understanding. These conversations highlight the power of activism, cross-cultural exchange, and storytelling in shaping Ithaca’s identity.
As president of the Latino Civic Association, I shared our role in advocating for and empowering the community through cultural and civic engagement. From outreach programs to events celebrating history, our work strengthens inclusivity and uplifts diverse voices. It was an opportunity to emphasize the importance of preserving cultural spaces and honoring traditions through collaborative activism.
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Celebrating CAP's Community Arts Catylist Yen Ospina | 2024
I’m honored to be a 2024 recipient of the Community Arts Catalysts Award from the Community Arts Partnership (CAP), alongside Caleb Thomas of Ithaca Murals! This award recognizes artists making a significant impact in Tompkins County through the arts, and I’m grateful to be part of this vibrant creative community.
This year, I’ve received multiple CAP grants to support projects that celebrate and uplift marginalized voices. These include the Artist in Community Grant for my curated exhibition "Present Conversations II" at CAP ArtSpace Orozco Gallery. The SOS Grant for both this show and my Surrealismo de Ensueño series at MIX Art Gallery, and the GAP Grant for my annual October Heritage Fiesta celebrating Hispanic/Latine culture. Instagram.
As the new president of the Latino Civic Associationc, I’m committed to fostering spaces for art, activism, and cultural storytelling. Thank you, CAP, for this incredible recognition!
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Women's Fund Annual Luncheon Celebration & Panelists | 2024
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Exciting Collaboration with Buffalo Street Books: Limited-Edition "Fantasmas y Libros" T-Shirts | 2024
I am so thrilled to share that I've had the wonderful opportunity to collaborate with Buffalo Street Books, a beloved independent bookstore right here in Ithaca, NY. As an artist, it's incredibly meaningful to partner with small, community-focused businesses that truly value and uplift local creators.
I’m happy to announce that together, we’ve brought to life the limited-edition "Fantasmas y Libros" (which translates to Ghosts & Books) t-shirts! This design is especially close to my heart, blending the magic of storytelling with a little spooky charm—perfect for the season.
These t-shirts are available in both adult and youth sizes, but they won’t be around for long, so grab yours while you can! Follow the link below to get yours today and support both a local artist and one of Ithaca’s favorite bookstores.
Thank you to everyone who continues to support local businesses and the arts—it means the world!
CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT THE SHIRTS
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"National Hispanic Heritage Month: Resilience through art and community" | 2024
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"Ithaca Porchfest Design 2024"
I am absolutely delighted to announce that Ithaca's Porchfest reached out and invited me to weave the magic of this year's design! I felt truly honored to be part of this enchanting creation, striving to capture the diverse tapestry of music and art that graces Porchfest. If you'd like to bring this magical design into your home, prints are now available on my website.
You can purchase the print HERE.
I will also have the prints available during the Porchfest Maker's Market on September 22nd, from 12 PM to 6 PM.
In my second series of abstract work, I delve into the expansive realm of dreams, navigating surreal landscapes and untethered imagination that our minds weave during nightly voyages. This collection unfolds as a visual odyssey into the enigmatic and often whimsical nature of our subconscious, celebrating the liberating essence of dreams.
Through a deliberate ritual, I surrender to sleep with meticulously selected melodies, allowing myself to drift into realms beyond the mundane day. Over the past six months, visions have unfolded amidst these recurring songs, inviting lucid dreams to manifest ephemeral places and fleeting images.
I invite you to share in the emotions that stirred within me as these creations took form. A curated playlist awaits on YouTube and Spotify; simply scan the QR code to let the sequence of songs guide you through paintings labeled Sueño I to Sueño X. May you absorb the essence of my journey, experiencing the depth that resonated within me during their creation.
Spotify Playlist / Youtube Playlist
To purchase paintings, please contact: Contact@MixArtGallery.com / Wendy: 607-319-4364
In January 2024, I found myself envisioning new ways to uplift emerging artists. I longed to create opportunities beyond my personal identity, leading to the birth of Orozco Gallery—a space dedicated to fostering artistic voices in the Finger Lakes.
The name Orozco holds deep meaning, reflecting the layers of my identity and heritage. It represents a soulful connection to my family and artistic journey, shaping the gallery’s mission to provide visibility for underrepresented artists.
As the founder, my 2024 vision is driven by a commitment to curating impactful exhibitions and events. Through this one-woman-run initiative, I aim to cultivate a platform where creativity thrives, artists are celebrated, and stories are shared.
Orozco Gallery is more than an art space—it’s a movement dedicated to building a more inclusive artistic landscape.
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Resident Artist at Leidenfrost Vineyards
Located on the southeastern shore of Seneca Lake, Leidenfrost Vineyards focuses on producing delicious small batch, hand-crafted wines made from 100% estate grown grapes. Leidenfrost Vineyards remains a family-owned and operated business with a proud female winemaker."
Testimonial:
"Leidenfrost Vineyards is thrilled to feature Yen Ospina as the resident artist in our tasting room gallery ! We were searching for an artist who could install a unique and beautiful series of works that really suited our space while adding to the ambiance and energy of the environment. Yen's art does just that! Creating a wave of magnetic emotion in onlookers while simultaneously allowing the space to feel warm and welcoming. Yen's work keeps you coming back again and again to explore and discover all of the little nuances such as the touches of copper or the pastel highlights that accent each piece.
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On Oct. 6, 2023 in downtown Ithaca, N.Y. the Community School of Music and Arts came alive with vibrancy, beauty and a celebration of heritage. In addition to several other events that occurred during Hispanic Heritage month this year in Ithaca, an art exhibition took place featuring local Hispanic and Latinx artists, Curated by Yen Ospina
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In 2023, I had the privilege of speaking at Ithaca High School, discussing the intersection of activism, community events, and art. Engaging with students, I highlighted how art can be a powerful tool for social change.
Now, as part of Social Justice Week, I continue this mission—raising awareness about the tangible impact artists can make. Through storytelling and shared experiences, I encourage students to embrace their creativity as a force for advocacy and change.
These conversations explore how artists can contribute to social movements, foster dialogue, and build empathy. My goal is to inspire students to recognize their potential as artists and community advocates, using their work to create a more just and compassionate society.
Every brushstroke, every creative act, carries the power to ignite change. Together, we shape a future where art is not just expression but a catalyst for meaningful transformation
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"Fluida Vida" Abstract Series
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