About the Artist

Born and raised in Arlington, VA, Valentín Sánchez-Stoddard (they/them/elle) is a Salvadoran-American visual artist who has worked extensively in the nonprofit sector, specifically investing in the Latine and immigrant communities. Their engagement work through several teaching artist residencies, public art collaborations, and exhibitions, demonstrates their commitment to arts accessibility. They currently live and work in Philadelphia, PA.

Artist Statement

Being a natural storyteller, I weave together my bicultural Salvadoran-American upbringing with the contemporary landscape of political unrest, passed-down trauma, and my place in the larger narrative of being a child of diaspora. My own understanding of healing as a form of resistance and navigating my queerness through various spaces also informs my work. I like exploring these subjects metaphorically through surrealist abstraction.

I have my own Studio Practice, Little Sánchez Studio, where I use recycled/up-cycling in a lot of my artwork, including mixed-media jewelry, ceramics, sculptural pieces, as well as painting and illustration. All my work pays close attention to color theory and how color can change an entire narrative or evoke an emotion. I vend at art markets and enjoy collaborating with other likeminded artists and non-profits with my artistic approach to accessibility and community engagement. I have exhibited my photography, paintings, and illustration in Philadelphia and Allentown, PA, Washington, DC, Richmond, VA, Phoenix, AZ, and internationally in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Professional Experience

In their current role as Arts Education Coordinator for Youth & Family Programs at PAFA, Valentín develops and delivers accessible, equitable, and inclusive curriculum for K-5 museum programming on-site and at partner schools across Philadelphia. They also run a cost-free monthly Family Arts Day at the museum and plan the annual Spring Family Art Festival.

Previously, Valentín spearheaded the revitalization of Project HOME’s Art Program for residents, providing a rich array of arts classes across 12 residential homes and shelters supporting formerly homeless adult individuals; accessibility for residents with physical disabilities/motor skills, as well as mental incapacities, is taken into account when developing art lessons. Some taught and facilitated classes include: Expressive Arts, Fabric and Fiber Arts, Dioramas, and Printmaking.

Since 2018, they have been a Teaching Artist in various locations throughout Philadelphia: Fleisher Art Memorial’s Community Partnerships in the Arts program, their after-school Teen Lounge program in South Philly; Taller Puertorriqueño’s K-8 after-school art program in Kensington, and most recently, Youth Artist Workshops for middle and highschoolers at Moore College of Art & Design.

From March 2018-December 2018, Valentín worked as an Exhibitions Assistant to former Exhibitions Manager, Jose Ortiz Pagan, at Fleisher Art Memorial, helping complete a two-year Pew Center for Arts and Heritage grant, Bring Your Own Project. Valentín is invested in arts accessibility and truly believes that there is healing in art, and with this, becomes something powerful and transformative.

About Little Sánchez Studio

Valentín has been creating artwork since childhood, but in September 2019, Little Sánchez Studio, was founded. Little Sánchez Studio is a Queer, Latinx (Salvadoran-American) small business showcasing current visual and community engagement projects, as well as offering selections of Valentín's mixed-media artwork, illustrations, handcrafted jewelry (for everyone!), and other one-of-a-kind, hecho con amor goods at an affordable price. Collections are inspired by the elemental world, as well as the artist's homage to Central American diaspora and roots.

(you can also check out the Shop here).

Little Sánchez Studio has collaborated in fundraisers for grassroot organizations, such as New Sanctuary Movement of Philadelphia to raise funds for immigrant and refugees communities; Youth Art & Self-Empowerment Project for restorative practices with formerly incarcerated youth in the state of PA; and CISPES towards COVID/Natural Disaster relief for elders in El Salvador. Future goals of the studio are to participate in community fundraisers, publish zines and have their own call for art for publication and exhibition. (you can check out all the past fundraiser campaigns here).

Education

In June 2024, Valentín received their Graduate Certificate in Museum Studies from University of Washington. They completed an internship and practicum at Delaware State Parks. As a Collections Management Intern, they re-photographed a large number of museum objects for user-friendly catalogues and archiving used by Interpretive staff and visitors at Auburn Valley State Park.

Valentín received their Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography from Virginia Commonwealth University-School of the Arts in 2014. From January-May 2013, they were chosen through a selective application process to study Photography abroad at Napier University in Edinburgh.

Collaboration/Colaboración

Interested in collaborating or have further inquiries? You can e-mail them at: littlesanchezstudio@gmail.com.

¿Quieres collaborar o tienes preguntas? Puedes enviarle a Valentín en littlesanchezstudio@gmail.com.