About Me.
Visual Artist - Emeritus Professor at Zulia University, Ph.D. in Art Education from the Faculty of Fine Arts, Concordia University, Montreal.
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My artistic practice unfolds as a search for connections — between matter and energy, body and territory, memory and the present. I explore how processes of transformation, both natural and social, reveal hidden patterns that link us to a larger order.
Through sculpture, installation, mixed media, and collective actions, I investigate how materials carry traces of interaction and change. I am interested in the dialogue between the organic and the constructed, between the intimacy of handcraft and the dynamics of urban space.
In my community-based projects, the creative act becomes a space for encounter — a laboratory of listening, care, and resonance. Each work, each intervention, offers a moment of symbolic repair: an opportunity to acknowledge the invisible web that sustains our relationship with place and with one another.
My practice seeks to make visible the shared energy that flows through matter, cities, and collective histories — a continuous movement in which art becomes a way of thinking, feeling, and reimagining the world.
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Mi práctica artística se desarrolla como una búsqueda de conexiones —entre materia y energía, entre cuerpo y territorio, entre memoria y presente. Exploro cómo los procesos de transformación, tanto naturales como sociales, revelan patrones ocultos que nos vinculan a un orden más amplio.
A través de esculturas, instalaciones, imágenes y acciones colectivas, investigo la manera en que los materiales guardan huellas de interacción y cambio. Me interesa el diálogo entre lo orgánico y lo construido, entre la intimidad del gesto manual y las dinámicas del espacio urbano.
En mis proyectos comunitarios, el acto creativo se convierte en un espacio de encuentro: un laboratorio de escucha, cuidado y resonancia. Cada obra, cada intervención, propone un momento de reparación simbólica —una oportunidad para reconocer la red invisible que sostiene nuestra relación con el entorno y con los otros.
Mi trabajo busca hacer visible esa energía común que atraviesa la materia, las ciudades y las historias compartidas: un flujo constante donde el arte se vuelve una forma de pensar, sentir y reconstruir el mundo.
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Academic Background
2025 PhD Art Education Concordia University
2015 - Post-Doctoral Fellowship, Zulia University, Venezuela. Research Focus: Contemporary Art as a Strategy for Teaching and Learning.
2009 - Ph.D., Zulia University, Venezuela.: "Heterogeneities and Singularities of Contemporary Art in Maracaibo: An Early Millennium Perspective." Received Honorary Mention for Publication.
1995 - Enterprise Management Specialist Certificate, Rafael Urdaneta University, Venezuela. Project: Establishment of the School of Architecture, Arts, and Design (F.A.A.D).
1989 - Rafael Urdaneta University, Venezuela. Thesis: "Maracaibo Lake: The Museum of the City, featuring Theoretical Research and Architectural Design. Received Honorary Mention for Publication.
Selected Courses
2019 - 2021 Bijouterie-Joaillerie, (DEP). École des métiers du Sud-Ouest-de-Montréal (ÉMSOM). Montréal, Canada
1995 - 1997 Courses for the Master’s in philosophy. Zulia University / Several courses of visual arts, teaching, and architecture theory done at George Brown College, Toronto; The Art School of Maracaibo and the Graduate Division of Zulia University.
1983 Introduction to Architecture, Drawing, and Printmaking. Rhode Island School of Design. USA
Art Residencies
2025-26 DARE DARE Résidence de recherche pour un retour réflexif sur programmation du centre dans le cadre du volet Espace Critique. Collective Zavarce-Olivarez
Summer 2025 Art Residency — La Casita de Bambú – El Patio de Mi Casa, Easton, Pennsylvania. Project: Between Fleuras, Particles, Ducklings, and Other Things...
April 2025 – Relational Discourses II, Zavarce, Gomez, Peñaranda. Arts Connection, Miami.
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Solo Shows
2023 Placer Culposo. Paul Langdon Gallery. Curator: Patchil Tchinlguirian. Concordia University.
2017 Memoria de los objetos. Photography and installations. Museo de arte contemporáneo del Zulia, MACZUL. Curator: Jean Carlo Leal. text: Neydalid Molero.
2014 Verbos infinitivos. with the multimedia solo Project installation: Entresijos. Curator: Maria Veronica Machado. Centro de arte Lía Bermúdez. CAMLB Edo. Zulia.
2011 Discursos en relación. Multimedia solo Project installation: Hipertextos de existencia. Museo de Arte Contemporáneo del Zulia. MACZUL. Coordinator: Jean Carlo Leal, Museography Helisandro Molero
2004 Curara. Cevaz Gallery . Paintings drawings and installations. Curator: Anbeli Vera. Maracaibo.
1999 Género Femenino. Paintings and drawings. Art Nouveau. Maracaibo.
1997 Ascesis. Paintings, drawings, metal Works. Centro de Bellas Artes de Maracaibo.
1993 Un Carácter Particular, Partículas al Poder. Paintings and drawings. Aldebarán Gallery. Maracaibo.
1991 Horizontes..., Aguas. Paintings, drawings. Textiles. Alianza Francesa Gallery. Maracaibo.
1991 Por la Plástica. Drawings and textiles. Aldebarán Gallery. Mcbo.
1990 Mixed Media Works on Paper. Drawings. Gallery 291. Toronto, Canadá.
1989 Solsticio de Verano. Drawings. La Merced Gallery, Tienda de Arte. Maracaibo.
1987 Por el Silencio. Photography Grafis Gallery. Maracaibo.
Public Art & Collections
2021 Park Serge-Garant. Montreal. Canada. 2018 Maczul Collection, Cosifcacion.
2014 Maczul Collection, Entresijos installation
2002 OEA collection The Art Museum of the Americas, Washington, D.C
1998 BOD Agency. Lago Mall Center. Maracaibo
1994 Center of Art Lía Bermúdez. 100 Particles for the CAM. Particle systems
1994 Amado Clinic. Works: Horizons from Loved, Particles in the System, Site sculptures in 1st and 4th floor
1990 CERLAC, York University. Toronto, Canada.
Research
Contemporary Art researcher with a focus on research creation, design teaching and learning, community of practices and Social Engaged Art. Leader of multiple research projects with over thirty publications to date. Recipient of research grants from CONDES, FONACIT, the Canadian government, and ONCTI A peer reviewer for numerous academic articles a sought-after guest lecturer at academic events, contributing to the advancement of knowledge in Contemporary Visual Arts and design education.
Latest academic journal publication
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2022 coauthor: Machado, M.V, Zavarce, E. Embodied pedagogies. Experiential, creative and collective practices”. (Pedagogías corporeizadas. Prácticas experienciales, crea(c)tivas y colectivas"). Edumeet-Fricciones. III International Conference on Transfers for Innovation and Pedagogical Change 2022. Actas del congreso. Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, DPA prints.
2022 coauthor: Zavarce, Machado, Molero. Art as a Transformative Collaboration: A Journal of Vital Encounters to Create the Virtual Exhibition Confined Bodies. " Art Education, the Journal of the National Art Education Association.
2017 Elsy Zavarce, Vanessa Ferrari Conti y José Antonio Hernández Montiel. The Special Degree Project as Reflective and Creative Research. Actas de Diseño 25. Facultad de Diseño y Comunicación. Universidad de Palermo. pp. 41-197. (2018, julio), Vol. 25, pp. 129-1332
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​​​PUBLICATIONS
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Zavarce, E., Molero, L., & Machado, L. (2024). Cuerpo en cuestión. Museum of Contemporary Art of Zulia (MACZUL). ISBN-10 : 9801842601 | ISBN-13 : 978-9801842606
Peñaranda, L., & Zavarce, E. (Eds.). (2001). Generación Intermedia. EneIncidentes. CAMLB
Peñaranda, L., & Zavarce, E. (Eds.). (2000). Urbano Incidentes. EneIncidentes. CAMLB< MACZUL and Bellas Arte Mcbo.
Peñaranda, L., & Zavarce, E. (Eds.). (1999). Entremilenio. EneIncidentes Centro de Bellas Artes Maracaibo.
Selected Honours Awards
Academic recognitions:
2024 Conference and Exposition Award Concordia
2023 Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)
2023 Conference and Exposition Award Concordia
2022 Elspeth McConnell Fine Arts Internship Award. Summer fall term at Fonderie Darling, Montreal.
2021-22 Concordia Merit Schcognitiosool FOFA (Faculty of Fine Arts)
2020 Conference_and_Exposition_Award Concordia
2019-20 Concordia Merit Scholarship
2014 Jesús Enrique Lossada. University award merit in First class for her contribution to research and education.
Artistic awards
2023 Research-creation grant COHDS Concordia
2021 Graduate exhibition/workshop award Concordia University/ Center George Vanier 2014 Francisco Hung maximum merit Award of Universidad del Zulia as a cultural contributor.
2012 Special mention with the video Falling Angel, on the national contest of Salón Aragua. Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Maracay Mario Abreu.
2003 Third place in the urban wall painting contest: Un mural por la Chinita.
2000 First place in tridimensional artwork. “XII Caribbean art concourse” Art Museum of Coro, Venezuela.
2000 First special mention. IV Room” Chess in Arts”. Fine Art Center of Maracaibo, Venezuela.
1990 First Mention of Honor in Drawing and Textil. IV Biennial City of Maracaibo. Edo. Zulia.
1999 First special mention Design of chess. Metalwork. Center of Fine Arts. Maracaibo.
1983 Finalist in the Exhibition of Drawing in the " Hyde Collection " in Glens Falls, NY.
1983 First Finalist in the Exhibition of Photography in the “Scholastic Art and Photography ", NY.
Design awards:
1993 Best Design. Stand of the Newspaper Panorama. Creative Storm. Caracas
1992 Best Design. Stand of the Newspaper Panorama. Creative Storm. Maracaibo
1991 Mention of Recognition in the Contest: Ideas of Design for Plaza Baralt. Coordinator of the Project. OPAI – URU.
1988 First Place of Logo for the School of Civil Engineering of U.R.U.
1987 First Place for Poster of the AVIED (Venezuelan Association of Investigators of the Education).
Selected Group Shows
2025 Relational Discourses II. Zavarce, Gomez, Peñaranda. Arts Connection, Miami. Curator: Gerardo Zavarce, museography Felix Suazo.
2025 Weaving Histories| Tejiendo Historias. Zavarce, Gómez, Peñaranda. MIFA, Miami. text: Katherine Chacon, curator: Stefania Hernandez., text: Javier Mariné von Büren.
2024 Visión coincidente. Espacio 14. Maracaibo. Curator: Heli Sandro Molero.
2023 Allegadxs. FoFA gallery Concordia University. Curator: Maria Escalona
2023 Project Creadoras. National Gallery of Venezuela. Curator: Lorena Gonzalez.
2022 Sustrato Linaza. Textile Art group exhibition. Caracas. Curator: Isabel Cisneros.
2022 Aleatorios.22/ #IMD2022 Maczul. Curator Marithe Govea.
2022 Variables inesperadas. La Caja, Centro Cultural Chacao, Caracas. Curator Marithe Govea.
2022 Home. jury participation. Point Saint Charles art School. Montreal
2021 Native immigrant art Collective, winter show. Galerie Native Immigrant. Montréal, Canada.
2021 Aleatorios, Virtual exhibition. curated by Govea Meoz_Peñaranda. Ortic platform.
2021 “Female Voices of Latin America” in ECLECTICA», curated by Maria Teresa Govea Meoz.
2021 “Entre Mundos”, curated by Mirna Chacin. ICOM international day Invited artist. MACZUL.
2021 Dream Walking in "The Resilient Gaze". Centre Culturel Georges Vanier. Montreal. Graduate exhibition/workshop award Concordia University/
2020 Incubadora Visual first Virtual Exhibition. https://awacultura.com/1ersalonvirtualincubadoravisual/
2020 Latin Vista, Quebec captured by the lens of South Americans. Honored artist: Dani Hausmann. HPG
Gallery.
2020 Re- an exhibition on unity amidst transition. ArtEGs Collective at the HPG Gallery, Montreal.
2020 Confinement Bodies. Project: My confinement is privileged. (Co-Curatorial Zavarce-Machado-Molero) International Virtual exhibition. MACZUL.
https://cuerposconfinados.wixsite.com/home/semana-n-2
2019 Miami New Media festival. Video. Curated by Nina fuentes. Florida, USA.
2016 Obra abierta, ejes de Libertad. Maczul. Invitation and curatorial work by Lorena González.
2016 Salón nacional de Aragua. Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Maracay. Mario Abreu.
2015 Invited artist. Miradas curatoriales, arte en la era de los descubrimientos. Curator: Luis Angel Duque. MACZUL.
2014 Más que incidentes: Siempre Experimentales. MACZUL.
Curatorial Work
2022 transformative futures. PhD research outcomes exhibition. Fonderie Darling. Montreal.
2022 Urban fragments Urbains. Gustavo Galue, photography solo show. HPG, Montreal
2022 Latin Vista II: Montreal through the lens of South American photographers. HPG Grifintown, Montreal
2020 Latin Vista I, Quebec captured by the lens of South Americans. Honored artist: Dani Hausmann. HPG Gallery.
2020 Confined Bodies/Cuerpos Confinados. An international Virtual exhibition. MACZUL, Venezuela-Universidad de la Costa Colombia. Participated as co-curator, creative coordinator and, artist.
2018 Cuerpo en cuestión. Participating as Curator and artist. MACZUL.
2016 Imaginarios del entorno, la ciudad extensa, intensa y fronteriza. Colección Maczul. MACZUL MUSEUM
2015 Jonathan Lara. Procedimientos Análogos. MACZUL. Venezuela
1999/2014 Coordinator of the collective art Project ENE INCIDENTES. Ten Exhibitions. Participating as an artist, editorial coordinator, and promoter. International venue: Aruba-Maracaibo, Caracas, Los Teques.
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Latest Conference participation (virtual presentations)
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2020 Connections, AIRG’s 3rd International Symposium (virtual edition), via Zoom. Mc Gill University Faculty of Education. Co presented: Confined Bodies a virtual exhibition during precarious times. With Machado PensoMolero, & Hernández.
2020 Connections, AIRG’s 3rd International Symposium (virtual edition), via Zoom. Mc Gill University Faculty of Education. Co-presented: Re- An exhibition on unity amidst transition. The ArtEGs* Art Collective.
2020 UAAC-AAUC ONLINE Conference.Thinking “Latin American Art/Artists” through Flows and Diasporas.
Title of the paper: Diaspora, displacement and confinement : Confident bodies a Virtual exhibition.
Selected Experience
2024 Instructor. ARTE 320 - Fall 2024: Multidisciplinary Approaches to Art and Teaching Topic: Considering the Artist-Teacher in Community Art Education. Concordia University.
2023 TA (teaching assistant): Respecting Diversity, Light media art education.
2022 Cultural Mediator. Fonderie Darling.Fall internship, Montreal.
2022 TA (teaching assistant). Courses: Topics in media and technology, Light-based media
2021-2022 Art Education curatorial gallery position. FoFa Gallery. Concordia University
2021-2022 Teaching Assistant (TA). Art Education department. Courses: Introduction to Community Art Education, Multidisciplinary Approaches to Art and Teaching. Concordia University
2021 Educator coordinator of ROUNDTABLE: Paisajes e identidades / Landscapes and identities, conversation with Victor Arroyo and Nuria Carton de Grammont FOFA gallery. Concordia University.
2021 Invited Jury . VI week of Design. CREATION - Centro de Diseño e Innovación - Universidad de la Costa. Colombia.
2019 – 2020 Research Assistant Art Education Department. Concordia University.
1996 – 2017 Professor and School administration positions at the Graphic Design School, Zulia University. Professor of several courses.
1992- 1996 Professor and School administration positions at the Architecture School at the Rafael Urdaneta University. in the Design and History Department.
Workshops And Cultural Mediation
2025 Tejiendo historias. Socially engaged art project. Penaranda, Gómez, Zavarce. Mifa, Miami, Florida.
2024 Tejiendo historias. Socially engaged art project. Penaranda and Zavarce. Fabri coats. Barcelona
2024 Urban Mapping. Les ateliers ArtEDU Workshops. Concordia University.
2023 Remiendos. Socially engaged art project. FoFa gallery Concordia University.
2023 Remiendos. Socially engaged art project. Museo la Libertad. Panama
2023 Launch of my Artists Research platform: CARE: https://elsyzavarce.wixsite.com/care
2021 “GalleryGardi”. Exhibition Coordinator. Vitrine space of FOFA. Concordia University.
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AFFILIATIONS
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Member of Agreagate Centre d'artistes
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Concordia Public Art Advisory Committee
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CIRM, Centre for Interdisciplinary Research on Montréal
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Textiles and Materiality Research Cluster. Milieux Institute for Arts, Culture, and Technology at Concordia University.
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Center of Expanded Poetics, Concordia University.
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Centre de recherches interdisciplinaires en études montréalaises | Centre for Interdisciplinary Research on Montréal. Université McGill | McGill University.
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Centre for Oral History and Digital Storytelling | Centre d'histoire orale et de récits numérisés (COHDS). Université Concordia University.
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Certification
2022 Public scholar workshop. Concordia University.
Volunteering
2018 Mentor in Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Montreal.
2016 - 2023 Collaborator Educational Activities Maczul (Museo de Arte Contemporáneo del Zulia).
2016 - Present ESCOLARTE. Art education program. Founder-director.
