We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ailene Pasco. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ailene below.
Ailene, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
The most meaningful project I have worked on is still currently active. Living in the Philippines for parts of my life, I became passionate about upcycling to reduce waste. I slowly worked on putting together a project that I can share with the community to hopefully inspire others to upcycle. I called it Plastic Earth Project. In January of 2023, I was granted funding by the Nevada Arts Council to kickstart my project. I invited the public to donate their plastic bags and cardboard in exchange for an artwork made of used materials. I hosted workshops on how to create plastic yarn from one-time use plastic bags, create artwork from discarded cardboard, and other instructional workshops to spread my knowledge in upcycling used materials. By July of 2023, I created an immersive installation at two different locations to introduce my project to the community. The project was so well received that I decided to continue the project. Until today, I still receive donations and support from the community. I receive invites to host workshops at public places. I am able to share my skills and my passion in waste-reduction.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Born in the Philippines and raised in Northern California, I didn’t start my art journey until after I moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 2005. I started my undergrad at the College of Southern Nevada as a Veterinary Technician student in 2015. I took an art appreciation class and decided to change my major the following semester. I graduated with two Associate’s degrees in Fine Art in 2017 then immediately transferred to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in sculpture. While starting my Bachelor program, I also opened a custom textile-based business where I sold commissioned crocheted pieces. In August of 2019, I graduated from UNLV with a major in sculpture and minor in Art History. By this time, my work has been shown in galleries throughout the Las Vegas valley, both in formal galleries and as public guerilla-style interventions. After graduating, I ended up as a docent for the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Arts. When COVID hit and work shut down, my textile business kept us afloat. As soon as things began to open up, I was lucky enough to land a job with the County as a Public Art Educator hosting the monthly workshop called Full Scope. Now going on my 4th year at County, I have taken on more responsibilities such as project managing temporary and permanent public art, community engagement programs, and offering artists help and support for success. Along with my job at the County, I also work for the City of Las Vegas assisting the Public Art and Gallery staff, volunteer as a monitor for shop hours at the UNLV Sculpture Yard, manage several personal projects, and homeschool my three kids full time. Artistically, my skills range from fiber art, textile art, sculpture, and film photography which I practice religiously. As an administrator and educator, my main goal is to help other artists find their place in the art world.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is knowing my art makes an impact on someone’s life. Even if it’s just to trigger a memory that makes them feel good. With my crochet work, I get many customers who find my work nostalgic. They remember a hat that their grandma made them or a stuffed animal that they had as a child. Sometimes my work resonates with people who sense a message or feeling from the pieces. Mostly feelings of comfort or empowerment. I am grateful to create pieces that move others.
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
In my view, I believe that society can best support artists and creatives by choosing to receive services from them than corporate businesses. By giving artists and creatives more opportunities, our creative ecosystem will thrive. Understanding their worth and how much effort, time, and love artists put into their work also helps them feel supported.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ailenepascoart.weebly.com
- Instagram: plasticearthproject
- Facebook: ailenepascoart
- Linkedin: ailenepasco
Image Credits
All photos were taken by Ailene Pasco.