Designing a space for visual artists and advocates of social justice to make an impact.
I started Texas Visual Arts Collective (TVAC) when I was a sophomore studying Neuroscience on the pre-med track. I had longed for a community of traditional artists to create with. Creating TVAC helped me see where my passions lie: creating community and impact through storytelling and direction. Being surrounded by creative individuals ultimately served as a catalyst that led me to pursue a creative path, and I am forever grateful for it.
What started as a passion project in the midst of the pandemic became a growing community of over 500 individuals looking to spark change.
Role
Co-Founder
Creative Director
Type
Nonprofit
Student Organization
Timeline
June 2020 - January 2022
Skills
Creative Direction
Leadership
What is TVAC?
A student organization focusing on the intersection of visual art and social justice.
A space for students to engage in meaningful discussions with peers and local activists, while doing what they love: creating art. We host pop-up events every semester to showcase student artwork and fundraise for philanthropies.
Infographics
We designed bite-sized assets to simplify information on various causes, making learning less overwhelming. Our useful content has been widely shared by users on their stories, helping us reach more people effectively.
Activist Artist Inspirations
In this series on social media, we highlight how art, when combined with activism, can create meaningful impact - drawing inspiration from renowned artists in this space.
Spring 2021. TVAC’s first pop-up show, showcasing student art and live spray painting.
Raised over $1700 for Casa Marianella, a foundation that provides support services for displaced immigrants in Austin.
Experiential Gallery Show
Annually, we organize a Gallery Pop-Up Show at the heart of UT Austin’s campus to bring it all together. We showcase artworks by TVAC members, surrounding the selected cause. The event invites public participation, celebrating local artists and the transformative potential of collective artistic expression.
→started in quarantine
→benefit shows raised $7000+ for philanthropic organizations
As Co-Founder and Director, alongside my partner Vandana, I played a huge role in building out the design system of the organization to serve as a foundation for years to come.
Building from scratch with no precedent comes with multiple hats to wear. Some of my responsibilities included: directing visual identity, team recruitment & management, social media marketing, setting the framework of success and event planning.
Founders: Jessica Nguyen & Vandana Seshadri
Design: Kelly Kim