Today we’d like to introduce you to Armando Garcia-Orso.
Armando, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I had the opportunity to study architecture at the Institute of Higher Studies of the West in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, where the university spirit is completely focused on the community.
And there I learned that the arts and culture are essential to achieving changes in the community. The arts connect with who you are, with your essence, and make you a more responsible, critical person, with greater empathy and a better capacity to perceive your surroundings, everything around you.
Therefore, my career increasingly moved towards the arts and culture, starting with an independent, binational project, the Cultural Association Rio Rita in Tijuana, where there was a venue for concerts, theater, art gallery, literary projects, and the publication of a magazine and books. Later, I participated in the founding of the Municipal Institute of Art and Culture of Tijuana, in the founding of the Secretary of Culture of Baja California, and I directed the art exhibitions at the Tijuana Cultural Center for 9 years, coordinating major local, national, and international exhibitions where we were able to exhibit Fernando Botero’s exhibitions from Colombia, photographs of the Vatican from Italy, and the WorldPhoto photography contest from the Netherlands.
I have had the satisfaction of working on art projects independently, advising artists, private collectors, museums, universities, and companies, helping them with everything from art selection to museography and in something that I am passionate about is art publishing projects. Recently, I coordinated an exhibition in New Delhi, India for an artist from Los Angeles.
In all the projects, the link with San Diego was an important component.
Until I had the opportunity to work as a curator at the Museum of Textile Art, a museum in Liberty Station entirely focused on textile art. I entered at a critical moment for the museum, which aimed to position itself as a contemporary textile art museum, including all contemporary techniques and international perspectives. The museum was founded in 1985 as a quilt museum and was a pioneer at the time, and it still is. In 2007, thanks to support, it was established in Liberty Station, and I believe it is making history in international textile art. We have around 21 exhibitions per year. 2024 was an important year for textile art, during which there was not a biennial or competition in the world that did not feature participation from textile art.
Next year we will participate in two important programs: one is HANDWORK2026, a national program focused on handmade art, involving more than 200 museums across the country, and the program celebrating the 175th anniversary of the State of California and America’s 250th anniversary with an exhibition of local artists.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
In the midst of art, there are always adverse conditions that must be overcome, requiring patience and creativity, and it is precisely those difficulties that are the moments to learn. After each difficulty is overcome, you become a better person in what you do. When you have obstacles, you remember that you have your family, your friends, and your coworkers who will never leave you alone.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am currently the curator at Visionss Museum of Textile Art, a unique museum specializing in textile art. The challenge has been to internationalize the museum, connect with the San Diego-Tijuana region, and create a network of artists who can contribute their creativity to our community. My strength is having knowledge of the art world at an international level; I also have a very good relationship with artists from different places and an understanding of all the processes involved in organizing an art exhibition.
What’s next?
On the one hand, continue with the consolidation of the Visions Museum at the local, national, and international levels. And in the near future, start my own art management project, that is, return to the roots, connected with the community more directly.. Thinking that the arts are not just entertainment but a solid education that provides value to human beings.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @garciaorso
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/armando.garciaorso/
Image Credits
Personal photo: Photo by Lauryn Dove
