Felicia Baca holds a Master’s degree in Education with an emphasis in contemporary arts pedagogy from Goldsmiths College, University of London. She received her undergraduate degree in social sciences and art from Westminster College in Salt Lake City, Utah. She has worked in a variety of arts education contexts and museums both locally and internationally, including the Tate, YouthCity Artways, and most recently the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art. This month Baca will join the visual arts team at the Utah Division of Arts & Museums.

Who would you choose to paint or sculpt your portrait:

Can I choose a conceptual artist? Gillian Wearing. There is an important element of honesty and self-reflection in her work–and I suppose we learn important things about ourselves through honesty. I find contemporary modes of portraiture so exciting; there are so many possibilities to represent identity beyond replicating or monumentalizing.

 What is the most memorable exhibit you’ve seen recently?

Fallen Fruit of Utah, by the artist collective Fallen Fruit. They use fruit as a lens to examine issues of place, citizenship, and community, among many other things. Their unique curatorial practices and community projects also explore how fruit is symbolic, allegorical, emotional, and crosses cultural and class boundaries. The exhibit really brought to light how my own personal memories of fruit, and the people and places associated with them, were so monumental in my own life.

Is there a piece of art in your home growing up that particularly interested you as a child?

Yes, although it was more of an artifact. We had a handcrafted clay nose flute. Yes, you heard that right, nose flute. It was quite beautifully constructed, and displayed for decoration, but I was obsessed with learning to play songs on it. My seriousness in attempting to hammer out a tune was always thwarted by the hilarity of trying to play it. I appreciated this dichotomy. In my adult life I’m now (a little bit) musical, would like to think I have a good sense of humor, and am interested in art that is participatory, as well as boundary blurring. Foreshadowing? Maybe.

On the Spot

This is our chance to check in with members of Utah’s art community to see what they’ve been reading, seeing, doing.