Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sandra Pérez-Ramos. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Sandra, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Has your work ever been misunderstood or mischaracterized?

As a straightforward, matter of fact, Puerto Rican, visual artist in the DMV region in the US, I have noticed a constant misconception here and it is a pet peeve that has forced me to take on the mission to dismantle and re-educate people about the “single story” being spread…that Latins are one, monolithic, cohesive entity, one mold fits all. This myth is dangerous, it over simplifies and stereotypes. We are many different cultures, different backgrounds! Each one of the 33+ countries that compose Latin America and the Caribbean region, has individual, unrelated history, politics, different racial and cultural heritage responsible for the sociology of each and the many different dialects throughout. Each country’s is worth understanding and respecting, individually.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Sandra Pérez-Ramos is a Puerto Rican visual artist and community art leader working, exhibiting and creating public art in the Washington, DC metro area. She is a Resident Artist in Gallery 209, affiliated with Artists & Makers Studios in Rockville, Maryland.

Her body of work includes drawings, fiber arts, installation, murals and public art. She believes in the concept of “collective unconscious”, reason why interconnection is a recurring theme in her work. She is inspired by retro design, folk arts, traditional textiles and ancient symbols. Her fiber works explore cultural clash, language mix, magic and syncretism. Her drawings and public art combine naïf style with contemporary aesthetics. The repetition of dots and lines, drawn, knotted or sewn, are an essential ritual throughout her body of work. Art Critic Lennox Campello, described her work in the Alexandria Old Town Crier: “Pérez-Ramos channels her Caribbean upbringing in her accomplished works. Her artistic pedigree is evident in her gifted use of color and form to deliver highly stylized imagery, which over the years has grown into one of the hardest achievements in the art world: a completely distinct style and ritual.”

Sandra works as Visual Arts Assistant for Prince Georges’ County Deparment of Parks and Recreation in Maryland, where she designs and installs exhibitions that highlight local artists. She also serves as cultural liaison for the Hispanic Heritage Month art programs. She has served in multiple leadership roles within regional art organizations, where she focused on membership outreach as well as on inclusion of Latin and diverse creatives. Some of these past roles were: Co-founder of The Latino Art League of Greater Washington DC’s (*first) chapter, Membership Committee Chair for Montgomery Art Association, leader of the Wheaton Area Latinx Artists for WAP, leader of the Tableaux Vivant groups for Wheaton Arts Parade, Social Media Coordinator for Artists On Market and Gallery 209, Exhibition Installation Manager for Wheaton Arts Parade’s (*former two) gallery spaces inside Westfield Wheaton Mall.
Sandra Pérez-Ramos is a Puerto Rican visual artist and community art leader working, exhibiting and creating public art in the Washington, DC metro area. She is a Resident Artist in Gallery 209, affiliated with Artists & Makers Studios in Rockville, Maryland.

Her body of work includes drawings, fiber arts, installation, murals and public art. She believes in the concept of “collective unconscious”, reason why interconnection is a recurring theme in her work. She is inspired by retro design, folk arts, traditional textiles and ancient symbols. Her fiber works explore cultural clash, language mix, magic and syncretism. Her drawings and public art combine naïf style with contemporary aesthetics. The repetition of dots and lines, drawn, knotted or sewn, are an essential ritual throughout her body of work. Art Critic Lennox Campello, described her work in the Alexandria Old Town Crier: “Pérez-Ramos channels her Caribbean upbringing in her accomplished works. Her artistic pedigree is evident in her gifted use of color and form to deliver highly stylized imagery, which over the years has grown into one of the hardest achievements in the art world: a completely distinct style and ritual.”

When it comes to public art, she understands the power of design and placemaking. Her intention is to create uplifting works that transform communities, encourage healing, inspire connection and celebrate diverse cultures. Margaret Rifkin, Founder of The Art & Walkability Project in Silver Spring, MD, says: “Pérez-Ramos’ art is for everyone…one of the most democratic ways to bring beauty to the body politic, both the marginalized and mainstream”.

In 2020, Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission selected Pérez-Ramos to design Prince George County’s commemorative poster for its Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration. In 2021, The Better Block Foundation commissioned her to design a temporary mural for the Pike District at the Bethesda Trolley Trailhead. Her work has been exhibited in Solo and collective exhibitions throughout the US and Puerto Rico and acquired by the Children’s National Hospital, the Marie Reed Project for Community of Hope (both in Washington, DC), by by Mayor Tracey Furman (for the Town Hall in Kensington, MD) and by others for their permanent collections. Her design, The Gathering Tree for Glenmont Forest Neighborhood Park in Silver Spring, MD, a collaboration with artist Stuart Diekmeyer, received two Public Art Project Implementation Grants from Maryland State Arts Council, through GFN Civic Association. It is located at 12220 Georgia Ave, Glenmont-Wheaton, 20902.
Additional public art awards include:
▪️“Hope Tree” – Mural /banner for the #ArtHappensHere Public Art Project by the Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County. Currently for Woodside Urban Park in Downtown Silver Spring, MD.
▪️“Celebration” – Painted sculpture for Art in Bloom Public Art installation by the National Cherry Blossom Festival 2021 in Washington, DC. Her sculpture was temporarily located at 4th St & Butternut St in the Takoma, DC neighborhood. Then purchased by the Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC for its permanent collection.
▪️“Roots/Raíces” -50 ft Mural for Wheaton Gateway LLC Art Project (Wilco, Duffie Co. and Montgomery County Housing) currently on the intersection between University Blvd and Veirs Mill Rd in Wheaton, MD.
▪️“The Lunatics” -Painted sculpture for Path of Pyramids, a traveling public art installation by Wheaton Arts Parade. It started in Wheaton, MD, then it was exhibited at In (Site) Project Gallery in VisArts, Rockville, MD, at Sandy Spring Museum, MD and is currently at Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD.

*For the complete list of affiliations, awards, solo and juried exhibitions visit the Curriculum Vitae tab.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I create because I need to and the many passions and themes I am curious about inform my work. I research constantly. I am interested in history, magical thinking, archaeology, folklore and religions, outsider art, textiles, design trends and furniture from the last century. I love the research and I collect objects, that are interesting to me. Even when I am not drawing or creating a fiber artwork I am observing and absorbing…. nature, trails, global folk arts, contemporary arts, interior design, photography, architecture, fashion, illustration, industrial design, poetry, people in the street, events…all of it inspires me somehow and moves me. I am in constant exploration even when it looks as if I am being passive or not “producing”. Those who don’t understand my creative process is because their value system is a conventional one, that only measures creativity and success based on production, sales or image. I am very much against that type of superficiality. I am grateful for the projects, exhibitions and art sales. I continue to work hard and prove myself twice, I proudly flaunt my Puerto Rican heritage, always. I am responsible for continuing expressing and developing my visual language on my terms, each artist has a different approach that works for them.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

And when it comes to public art, in particular, my approach is different, the responsibility is larger, understanding the local public is essential. Public art is meant to affect positively or inspire towards positive change. I understand the power of design and placemaking. well, so my intention is to create uplifting works that transform communities, encourage healing, inspire connection and celebrate the diverse cultures.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.sandraperezramos.com
• Instagram: @art.sandraperezramos
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/artsandraperezramos

Image Credits
Stuart Diekmeyer, G. Gordon and G. Tarrant from @arenasocialdc