Marisol Cervantes

Marisol Cervantes is a full-time Instructor in Studio Arts at Northern Illinois University's School of Art and Design, teaching foundational courses in 2-D design, drawing, and painting while maintaining an active exhibition practice across Midwest galleries.

Her educational background includes:

• M.F.A. from Northern Illinois University
• B.S. in Art with Painting and Drawing emphases from Northern Illinois University

Cervantes' artistic research centers on abstract contemporary painting and drawing, exploring psychological duality through water-based media. Her work investigates bodily metaphors and emotional states via material experimentation, as evidenced in exhibitions like 'Held Together: Fragility & Endurance in Art' and 'Comfortably Uncomfortable'. She exhibits extensively across Illinois institutions including NIU's Jack Olson Gallery, Evanston Art Center, and Chicago venues like ARC Gallery.

Her artistic achievements include:

• Best of Show at Side Street Studios' 'Year 10' (2023)
• Best of Show at Elgin Community College's 'The Long Red Line' (2022)
• 2nd Place in Woman Made Gallery's '7th Midwest Open' (2021)

As an educator, Cervantes mentors undergraduate students in technical skill development and conceptual exploration through foundational studio courses. Her practice bridges academic instruction with professional artistic output, demonstrating commitment to both pedagogical excellence and contemporary art discourse within the Midwest regional scene.