CURRICULUM VITAE
Last update: July 30, 2025
EDUCATION
2025 MFA in Emerging Media in Studio Arts, University of Central Florida (UCF), Orlando FL. Spring of 2025. Thesis: Evolving Perceptions of Self and Others: The Effects of Communing with Nature While Thru Hiking the Florida National Scenic Trail, Chair: Dr. Ilenia Colón Mendoza.
1992 BFA in Fine Arts Illustration, Cum Laude, Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT SUNY), New York. NY.
1990 AAS in Fashion Illustration, Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT SUNY), New York. NY.
1988 High School Diploma. Specialized major: Art. Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music and Art. New York, NY.
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATES/ LICENSES
2024 Certificate in College Teaching and Leadership. UCF, Orlando FL. Projected completion: Fall 2026.
2020-2024 Educator Certificate. Art, Grades K-12, State of Florida Department of Education, Number 1248439.
2023 Preparing the Faculty of the Future. Twelve week certificate program. College of Higher Education, UCF, Orlando, FL.
2018 Certificate in 3D Animation Technology. 1050 hours. Orange Technical College, Mid-Florida campus, Orlando FL.
2005 Certificate in Basic and Advanced Core, Early Childhood Education and Administration. University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA. (Completed significant coursework minus practicum hours).
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
"Evolving Perceptions of Self and Others: The Effects of Communing with Nature While Thru Hiking the Florida National Scenic Trail”. Master's thesis, University of Central Florida, 2025. ORCID 0009-0005-3083-7164. Conducted a multi-disciplinary, autobiographical artistic research comprising of a body of work that explores the effects of exposure to nature (or lack thereof) on an individual’s mental health.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
2025 In-Classroom Volunteer. UCF. Orlando, FL.
ART3321C Drawing Intensive, Prof. M. Tole. (Summer, A Session).
Instructor of Record. UCF, Orlando FL
ART2300C Drawing Fundamentals I (Spring)
ART3561C Experimental Painting (Spring)
2024 Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA). UCF, Orlando, FL.
ARH2301C Drawing Fundamentals II. Professor Theresa Lucey (Fall)
ART3504C Intermediate Painting. Professor Carla Poindexter (Fall)
In-Classroom Volunteer. UCF. Orlando, FL.
ART3321C Drawing Intensive, Prof. R. Rivers. (Summer, A Session).
ART3951C Design Intensive, Prof. D. Starr. (Summer, A Session).
ART2301C Drawing Fundamentals II, Prof. Kevin Haran (Summer, B Session).
Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA). UCF. Orlando, FL.
ARH3728 History of Illustration. Dr. Melissa Geppert. (Spring)
ARH3672 Contemporary Latin American Art. Dr. Melissa Geppert. (Spring)
2023 Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA). UCF. Orlando, FL.
ARH4800 Theory and Criticism of Art. Dr. Ilenia Colón Mendoza. (Fall)
ART4402C Advanced Printmaking. Professor Larry Cooper. (Fall)
In-Classroom Volunteer. UCF. Orlando, FL.
ART2201C Design Fundamentals (2D), Prof. S. Lindsey. (Summer, B Session).
ART2300C Drawing Fundamentals, Prof. T. Lotz. (Summer, B Session).
ART3321C Drawing Intensive, Prof. J. Burrell. (Summer, A Session).
2022-23 Instructor, Elite Animation Academy, Orlando, FL. Foundational Drawing I, (Virtual), Introduction to Storyboarding (Virtual), (Summer 2023).
Foundational Drawing I, Foundational Drawing II: People, Places & Things, Introduction to 2D Character Animation (Spring 2023).
Foundational Drawing I, Foundational Drawing II: People, Places & Things, Early Start Drawing & Animation, (Winter 2023).
Digital Painting in Photoshop, Character Design, Intro to 2D Animation (Virtual) (Fall 2022). Manga Character Design, (Summer Camp 2022).
2022-24 Substitute Teacher, Lake County School District, Tavares, FL.
2022 Instructor, Lake County Museum of Art, Tavares, FL. Week long summer camp for ages 4-15. Summer
Enrichment Instructor, Lake County Museum of Art, Tavares, FL. Weekly after-school lessons for ages 4-12, Spring.
2021-22 Teacher, Art K-12. Classes taught: Intro to 3D Studio Art. 2D Studio Art, 8th Grade. Tavares Middle School, Tavares, FL.
2020-21 Temporary Teacher, Art K-12. Class taught: Art in World Cultures, 6th Grade. Tavares Middle School. Tavares, FL.
2019- English Teacher, Ages 5-17, VIPKID Inc. (Virtual), Beijing, China. Certifications: TESOL VIPKid Foundational, L2 Interactive, L3, L4, L5, VIPKID Free Talk, Starlight Trial Low Level, Starlight Lower-Level (Basic). Total of 3,450 classes taught up to date.
2015-19 Substitute Teacher, Lake County School District, Tavares, FL.
2013 Spanish Immersion Teacher, Hudson Way School (Formerly “Bilingual Buds Immersion School”), Science, Ages 3/4, Computers, grades K-5. Art, Ages 3/4 and grades K-5th. After school Spanish, grades Pk-4th. Summit, NJ. Fall.
2006-07 Instructional Technology Media Specialist. Burbank Unified School District, Burbank, CA. Jan. 2006- Jan. 2007,
2005 Instructional Assistant, Special Education, Burbank Unified School District, Burbank, CA. Fall.
Teacher Assistant, Four Year Old Room, Child Education Center (CEC), La Cañada, CA. Spring.
2004 Instructor, Toddler Spanish & Art, Burbank Parks & Recreation Department, Burbank, CA.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2004 Interim Director of Childcare Services (Fall). Burbank YMCA. Burbank, CA.
2000, 2002 2D Special Effects Animation Artist. Dream Works SKG Feature Animation Studio, Glendale, CA. Screen credit: “The Road to El Dorado” (2000), “Spirit: Stallion of The Cimarron Valley” (2002).
1999 2D Special Effects Animation Artist. Walt Disney TV Animation Studio, Burbank, CA. Screen credit: “The Tigger Movie”.
1999, 2001 2D Special Effects Animation Artist. Warner Brothers Feature Animation Studio, Glendale, CA. Screen credit: “The Iron Giant” (1999), “Osmosis Jones” (2001)
1998-2011 Freelance Artist. Murals, scenic art. Costumes, sewing patterns. Specialty props, projects include: “Pushing Daisies'' (TV), “Frank Leaves for the Orient '' (TV), “All About Steve'' (Film), “Pirates of the Caribbean on Stranger Tides'', Los Angeles, CA. Burbank, CA.
1994-1998 2D Special Effects Animation Artist. Walt Disney Feature Animation Studios. Orlando, FL. Screen credit: “The Lion King” (1994), “Pocahontas” (1995), non-credited footage: “Hercules”. In-house projects: “Light Magic Parade”, “The Circle of Life” short, “Save the Manatees” PSA (1996-1997), “Mulan" (1998).
1992-93 Freelance Artist. Fashion and Fine Arts Illustration. New York, NY.
INTERNSHIPS/ STUDY ABROAD
1993 Walt Disney Feature Animation Internship, Walt Disney Feature Animation, Orlando, FL. One of ten amongst international applicants. Fall.
1992 Painting Lessons From the Masters, Scuola Polimoda, Florence, Italy, Fashion Institute of Technology, New York, NY.
Six weeks, oil painting class. Summer Semester.
HONORS AND AWARDS
2025 Fulbright U.S. Student Program Semi-Finalist, National Screening Committee (NSC) of the
Institute of International Education (IIE), February.
2024 3MT (3- Minute Thesis) Finalist, UCF, Orlando, FL. November.
UCF Presentation Fellowship, University of Central Florida, Orlando FL. October.
Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA), University of Central Florida, Orlando FL. Spring and fall.
2023 Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA), University of Central Florida, Orlando FL. Fall.
2018 Honoree, National Technical Honor Society, Orange Technical College, Mid-Florida campus, Orlando FL.
2005 Volunteer of the year, City of Burbank, CA.
1992 Finalist, Student Scholarship Competition, Society of Illustrators. New York, NY. Jurors: Ray Barber, Jeff Cornell, Michael Garland, Max Ginsburg, Atila Hejja, Warren Linn, Saul Mandel, Wilson McLean, Marlene Moore, Julia Noonan, Angelo Perone, Arnold Roth, Peter Schlegel, Richard Solomon, Herb Tauss, John Thompson and Jon Weiman.
1991 Semi-Finalist, Student Scholarship Competition, Society of Illustrators, New York, NY. One of 80 from 4,220 entries. Judges: Paul Bacon, Richard Berenson, Bill Chamatz, Peter Fiore, Bruce Hall, Catherine Huerta, Dennis Kendrick, David Lewis, Eugine Light, Anita Marci, Abby Merrill, Doreen Minuto, Agnes Orioles, Jim Shapre, Scott Snow and Bob Ziering.
1988 Honoree, National Honor Art Society, Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music and Art, New York, NY.
SOLO EXIHIBITIONS
2025 Fresh Squeezed 9. Morean Arts Center 719 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg, FL. 33701. One of eight artists selected from nearly one-hundred, state-wide entries. April - June.
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2025 Artists Showcase at Cushman & Wakefield Art Loan. 3504 Lake Lynda Drive, Orlando, FL 32817. Dec. 2024 to Dec. 2025
2024 Personal Portrait Showcase. Studio Art Farm, 120E 4th Ave. Mount Dora, FL Dec. 2024 to Jan. 2025
Fusion Fest Annual Visual Arts Exhibition. Dr. Phillips Center For The Performing Arts, Orlando, FL. Mr. Gareth Edwards, Curator. November
University of Mississippi National Graduate Juried Exhibition. Gallery 130, University MS. One of twenty-four works out of over one hundered and fifty submissions. September- October.
Hispanic Heritage Month Art Exhibit. Orange County Administration Building. Orlando, FL. September- October
Eclectic Knights. City Arts, Orlando FL. September
Women. Defining Our Representation. Online exhibit and Artist talk by Black House Artist. One of thirty one artists selected from 140 national and international entries. July. Exhibit: https://www.blackhouseartist.com/women-defining-our-representation
Mattamy Homes Art Program at Meridian Parks. Exhibit #2. One of forty works from nearly 300 submitted. Orlando, FL. July.
Meninas Showcase and Auction. Designed and painted the surface of two sculptures by internationally renound artist Antonio Azzatto, in collaboration with the Consulate General of Spain, the School of Visual Arts and Design (SVAD) and Modern Languages and Literature (MLL) at UCF to benefit The Florida Cancer Specialists. Dr Phillips Center for Performing Arts. Orlando, FL. April.
UCF Celebrates the Arts. Group showcase, open to the public. Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts. Orlando, FL. April.
2023 Art Knight. In-house artists showcase, open to the public. UCF, Orlando FL. November.
2023 Platform. Orlando Museum of Art. Showcase open to the public, Orlando FL. October.
2022 Art Knight. In-house artists showcase, open to the public. UCF, Orlando FL. November.
1992 Student Scholarship Competition. Juried Illustration Competition, Society of Illustrators, New York, NY. Finalist. Jurors listed above.
1991 Student Scholarship Competition. Juried Illustration Competition, Society of Illustrators, New York, NY. Semi-Finalist. Jurors listed above.
RESIDENCIES
2025 Timucua Arts Foundation 2000 S. Summerlin Ave. Orlando, Fl 32806. September
LECTURES, PRESENTATIONS/ WORKSHOPS, PERFORMANCES
2025 Creating and Supporting Communities that Prioritize Nature by Documenting the Healing of Trauma. Panel Speaker. SECAC 2025, Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza, Cincinnati, OH. October.
2024 Live painting on stage, Fusion Fest, Dr. Phillips Center For The Performing Arts, Orlando, FL. Novemeber.
Repurposing and Sourcing as an Exploration of the Self in the Emerging Artist. Panel speaker, SECAC 2024, Atlanta Marriott Buckhead Hotel & Conference Center, Atlanta, GA. October.
Fantastical Florida. Workshop during "Family Fun-day", all ages. Artist designing and leading the creation of original works by the public, inspired by James Audubon and Mark Messersmith’s work. Mennello Museum of American Art, Orlando, FL. July.
2021 Moon Convocation. Performance, Lake Louise State Park, Clermont FL. Enacted a warning dance and moon convocation as a Nature Goddess in public lands, open viewing. Dec.
2008-09 Art and Spanish. Workshop, weekly for ages 5-16 years old, Workshops Investing in Socializing Homeschoolers (WISH), Pasadena, CA.
2003-05 Art in the Park. Workshop, weekly art session for ages 2-5 years old. Burbank Parks and Recreation Department. Burbank, CA.
1995 The Art of Animation. Performance/ Presentation, on-stage animation artist, Pocahontas Mall Adventure European Tour.
Walt Disney Feature Animation Studios, Orlando, FL. Demonstrated animation techniques to live audiences in 13 countries throughout Europe,
followed by Q&A. Jun.-Dec.
1994 Breaking into Animation. Lecture/ Presentation, undergraduate class, Fashion Institute of Technology, New York, NY.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Elliott, Michael. Dir. “The Path to Healing. The Story of Stella Arbelaez”. Mygration Films, part of Fusion Fest Orlando. Premiere September 2024. (5:20) https://youtu.be/Xrf5oYvbGQM?si=wNc4Hl04tiTRIu-c
Orange TC. OCFL Update. Pioneers of Change: Artist Meet -Up and Mingle. Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. Orange County Florida News. August 2023 (2:59) https://vimeo.com/1008144029?share=copy
Dansby, Hailey, “Interview with Artist Stella Arbelaez”, Footprint Magazine. The Florida National Scenic Trail Association. Summer 2024. Volume 40, Issue 2. https://floridatrail.org/footprint-magazine/
“Daily Inspiration: Meet Stella Arbelaez”, Orlando Voyager, June 13, 2023. http://orlandovoyager.com/interview/daily-inspiration-meet-stella-arbelaez/
Marisol Merced, “UCF Students Navigate Human Experience at SVAD’s First Art Knight”, NSM Today, Nov. 24, 2022. http://www.nicholsonstudentmedia.com/news/ucf-students-navigate-human-experience-at-svads-first-art-knight/article_fc443f50-68b9-11ed-9123-5fae8d5e4705.html
IMDb.com, Stella P. Arbeláez Tascón. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1897788/?ref_=nv_sr_1
“Animadora de Sueňos”, Semana Magazine, Edición 742, p.78. Julio 23, 1996 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1H6QZeeztXWleyfO4gq-Bp3CbClSXQFXp/view?usp=sharing
TECHNICAL ABILITIES
Software Adobe Photoshop. Microsoft Word and PowerPoint. Google Docs, Slides, Jamboard, Canvas, Sheets, Sites, Forms.
Tools Sewing machine, Craig-Jig, power drill, grinding wheel, router, belt sander, scroll saw, miter saw, circular saw, jigsaw, Sawzall, pneumatic gun and jackhammer.
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES/ SERVICE
2024 Grants Review Panel Member, Individual and diversity grants. United Arts of Central Florida, Orlando, FL. Fall
2023- Docent, Rollins Museum of Art, Winter Park, FL.
2012-13 Trained Troop leader (01), troop camper, member. Girl Scouts of America, Troop 4557 Maplewood, NJ, Troop 40424, Mountainside, NJ.
2005-11 Trained Troop Leader (01), troop camper, member. Trained Service Unit (SU) kitchen and SU ropes course, Troop 1456, Burbank, CA.
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
2024- Member, Women's Caucus of Art (WCA)
2023- Member, Foundations in Art and Education (FATE).
2023- Member, South Eastern College Art Conference (SECAC).
2022- Member, Florida Alliance of Art Educators (FAAE).
FOREIGN LANGUAGES SPOKEN
Written and spoken Spanish. Native proficiency.
Conversational Italian.
**References provided upon request **