Orozco Gallery Efforts
Founder of Orozco Gallery Ithaca
January 2024 – Present
In January 2024, I envisioned a space where emerging artists could thrive beyond my personal artistic identity. That vision became Orozco Gallery, an independent initiative dedicated to uplifting artists throughout the Finger Lakes.
The name Orozco reflects my heritage and represents another facet of my artistic journey. Through the gallery, I create opportunities for underrepresented artists by curating dynamic exhibitions that celebrate diverse perspectives.
As a one-person initiative, Orozco Gallery is a labor of love with a community-centered mission. My goal is to foster a welcoming space that champions creativity and ensures emerging voices in the art world are seen, heard, and celebrated.
Hispanic & Latine Exhibition Curator
October 2023 – Present
In October 2023, I curated my first Hispanic & Latine group exhibition in collaboration with the Latino Civic Association. The experience ignited my passion for showcasing artists within 100 miles of Ithaca, NY, inspiring me to establish the exhibition as an annual event.
Each year, the exhibition amplifies Hispanic & Latine artists' voices, creating opportunities to share their stories, cultural identities, and creative perspectives. More than an art show, it celebrates identity, resilience, and artistic expression while fostering greater visibility for underrepresented artists.
Organizer & Curator of Present Conversations
June 2023 – Present
In June 2023, I curated the inaugural Present Conversations exhibition, a BIPOC group show that attracted over 400 attendees on opening night. The response inspired me to establish it as an annual tradition.
Each year, Present Conversations showcases more than 14 artists, fostering dialogue, representation, and community engagement. In 2024, I expanded the exhibition to include artist talks, offering audiences deeper insight into the inspirations, experiences, and stories behind the artwork.
The exhibition demonstrates the power of visibility and connection, creating meaningful opportunities for BIPOC artists to share their work, engage with audiences, and contribute to a more inclusive art community.
Curator & Speaker – KC Potter Center, Vanderbilt University
March 2025 – Present
In March 2025, the KC Potter Center at Vanderbilt University invited me to curate a BIPOC & Queer group exhibition, expanding my curatorial work beyond New York. The exhibition explored the intersections of identity, culture, and artistic expression while highlighting underrepresented voices within BIPOC and queer communities.
Alongside curating, I led artist talks that encouraged meaningful conversations about representation, resilience, and storytelling through art. Engaging with audiences in a new region reinforced the importance of creating inclusive spaces where artists can share their experiences.
This experience strengthened my commitment to expanding opportunities for BIPOC and queer artists beyond the Finger Lakes, using exhibitions and dialogue to foster connection, visibility, and meaningful cultural change.
Orozco Gallery Reimagines Space, Culture, and Community Through a Month-Long Pop-Up Series in Downtown Ithaca
May 2025 - Present
In May 2025, Orozco Gallery transformed 115 S Cayuga Street in downtown Ithaca into a temporary hub for creativity, culture, and community connection. Founded and curated by local artist, community leader, and activist Yen Ospina, the month-long pop-up brought people together across generations, languages, and lived experiences.
With more than 25 unique events, the gallery welcomed hundreds of visitors through programming that included live music, dance, bilingual storytelling, artist-led workshops, puppet shows, and community dance parties. The initiative extended beyond traditional gallery programming, creating an interactive environment where art encouraged participation, dialogue, and shared experiences.
A Vision Beyond the Gallery Walls
Orozco Gallery's impact extended beyond its programming through an intentional commitment to accessibility and inclusion. The gallery prioritized a sober environment, replacing alcohol with mocktails and aguas frescas, and offered sliding-scale admission to make events accessible to a broader audience.
Under Yen Ospina’s leadership, the initiative created opportunities for underrepresented artists, encouraged cross-cultural dialogue, and offered an alternative to alcohol-centered nightlife. Its community-driven approach reimagined how people experience art and participate in cultural spaces.
Looking Forward
Although the Orozco Gallery pop-up was temporary, its impact extended beyond the space itself. The stories shared, performances experienced, and relationships formed demonstrated the lasting value of community-centered arts programming.
The initiative reinforced my commitment to creating inclusive cultural spaces where artists and audiences can connect, exchange perspectives, and imagine new possibilities together.
To learn more, support future programming, or explore opportunities to host future pop-ups, visit orozcogallery.com.
Orozco Gallery demonstrated how collective creativity can build connection and belonging, offering a vision for more accessible, inclusive, and community-driven art experiences.
