ANCIENT POCKET CV
ANCIENT POCKET CV
Embedded Files
Ancient Pocket is an evolving cross-disciplinary arts and healing arts project that bridges intuitive practice, experimental art research (Terra Heaven Eco Arts),,eco-qualitative spiritual and interdisciplinary materials study (Earthen Futures Studio) and abstracted forms in ceramics, textiles, time-based media, writing, painting, drawing and interstitial exploration. Thru mythic inquiry and interconnectivity research, Ancient Pocket holds space for transmutation and reconstruction. This work examines bio-cultural identity through anthro-ecological and relational field investigations. Engaging Indigenous cosmologies as constructive frameworks that inform perception, material practice and traditional knowledge systems.
Ancient Pocket is an evolving cross-disciplinary arts and healing arts project that bridges intuitive practice, experimental art research (Terra Heaven Eco Arts),,eco-qualitative spiritual and interdisciplinary materials study (Earthen Futures Studio) and abstracted forms in ceramics, textiles, time-based media, writing, painting, drawing and interstitial exploration. Thru mythic inquiry and interconnectivity research, Ancient Pocket holds space for transmutation and reconstruction. This work examines bio-cultural identity through anthro-ecological and relational field investigations. Engaging Indigenous cosmologies as constructive frameworks that inform perception, material practice and traditional knowledge systems.
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Curriculum Vitae
Curriculum Vitae
Vanessa Ehecatl Santos b. 1978 in Los Angeles, CA
Grants Awarded
NYFA Robert Rauschenberg Medical Emergency Grant, February 2026
Cerf+ Get Ready Studio Practices Grant, October 2025
Eastside Arts Grant, August 2025
Cerf+ Relief Grant, July 2025
Education, Certifications & Studies
Education, Certifications & Studies
Art History LACC; Los Angeles, CA May 2026-May 2027
AA Film LACC; Los Angeles, CA June 2026
Yucca Valley Materials Lab: Lost Wax Glass Studio
Casting Intensive and Work-Trade, Joshua Tree, CA
May 2023 & May 2024
Bio-Dynamic Certification in Agricultural Justice & Beekeeping
BDA Association and Spikenard Farms; Rochester, NY and Floyd, VA
2016–2020
Usui and Johrei Reiki Level 2; Usui and Johrei Reiki Level 3 Master Certification: College of the Lakes, Kathy Heng CH, LMT and Reiki Master Teacher; Emmetsburg IA, 2014-2016
Watercolor Studies; Discovery Program: Algona, IA; Summer/Fall 2014
Waldorf Youth Pedagogy Parent Teacher Associate
Village School, Portland, OR
2007–2009
Usui Reiki Certification Level 1: North West Healing Arts, Steve Nunley LMT, Reiki Master Teacher; Portland OR, 2007
Nature Guide K-12 Parent Teacher Assistant
Nuts About Nature Portland Parks and Recreation; Portland, OR
2006–2009
Herbalism Intensive Certifications
Pokeroot Foundation; Portland, OR and Wisewoman Center, Susun Weed; Woodstock, NY
2004–2017
Fullerton College – Botany 101, Native Plant Landscaping: Planting for Wildlife, Screen-printing Intensive
2000-2002
East Los Angeles College – Video Arts Program
1999–2002
Santa Monica College – Black and White Photography and Developing, Screen-printing 101
Summer 1999-2001
Pasadena City College – Wet and Dry Film Lab, 16mm and Super 8mm Film-making, Ethno-musicology
1999-2000
Academy of Art College, San Francisco – Motion Pictures & Video
1997-1999
California State University, Fullerton – Art History & Photography
1996-1997
Professional Experience
Professional Experience
(Most Recent First)
Innovative Education Management Sky Mountain Charter Certified K-12 Online Art Vendor + Teaching Artist; Feb 2024-Present
Braille Institute Studio Arts + Ceramic Dept assistant and studio maintenence; Los Angeles, CA Feb 2026-Present
El Rio Charter School (Waldorf Inspired) Aftercare Arts Enrichment Program Co-ordinator and Arts Education Consultant; Los Angeles, CA August 2025-December 2025
Heavy Manners Library Art Education Consultant; Summer 2025
Tierra del Sol Foundation
Studio Teaching Artist for Disabled Adults (Ceramics, Painting, Textiles, Drawing); Sunland, CA
June 2023–April 2025
Ancient Pocket / Terra Heaven Eco-Arts/ Earthen Futures Studio
Interdisciplinary Eco-Arts Educator, Teaching Artist, Healing Arts Practitioner and Community Arts Program Director
2009–Present
Nature School LA
Nature-based Arts and Environmental Education ages Pre-K thru 12th; Los Angeles, CA
2021–2022
29 Palms & Joshua Tree Region
Community Engagement through Eco-Arts, Teaching, and Installations
2022–Present
Joshua Tree Retreat Center, Plein Air Arts Workshop Instructor; Joshua Tree, CA January 2022-April 2023
Yucca Valley Materials Lab and Studio
BIPOC Programming Support and Work Trade; Yucca Valley, CA
2023-2025
Seraphim Dream Outdoor Community Arts
Department co-Head of Curation; Los Angeles, CA
2019–2022
Kossuth County Art Educator
Community and Youth Arts Instruction and Programming; Algona IA
2010–2019
Arts Educator & Program Coordinator
Public schools across the NW, LA, NM, Iowa; Adult Ed & Community Projects
2000–Present
PCC Studio Arts Technician in Photography and Film Department, Visual Art Lab and Stock Room Manager, Photo (Black/ White and Color Lab + Film Lab Aide; Pasadena City College, CA 1999-2001
Exhibitions, Performances, and Publications
Exhibitions, Performances, and Publications
(Selected Highlights)
2026 Various Works @ Thrutopia Group Show - Face Guts; Los Angeles, CA
2025
Wizard Duck Chalice – LA Ayuda Fire Relief Benefit Felix Art Fair Roosevelt Hotel; Hollywood, CA
Published: LA River Chant - LA River Arts Zine for Department of Cultural Affairs; Los Angeles, CA
2024
Rites Performed at LA River Dark Times Revival Show - Los Angeles, CA
2023
Desert Chalice Performance - Oracle Tavern; Los Angeles, CA
‘QueerRated’ - The Beatnik Gallery; Joshua Tree, CA
2022
Published: Rights for the Cream - TELE Mag @ OPAF; San Pedro, CA
Ancient Ocean Arcade Group Show - HDTS Headquarters ‘Parallel Programs' for The Seekers High Desert Test Sites; Sky Village Swap Meet; Yucca Valley, CA
Published: SGV - SGV Zine + Performance
Square One Mary Temple - Flower Head Solo Show; Performance, Sound, Video and Exhibition; El Sereno CA
2021
Love Temple Installation, Flower Head – Performance and Exhibition; El Sereno, CA
Seraphim Dream: Shadow Pines, Mail Order Show – Curation and Exhibition; Los Angeles, CA
LA River Water Emergency – Show and Performance; at the Los Angeles River; Glendale, CA
Solstice Fairies and Dragons - Sound Installation at Marsh Park, Los Angeles, CA
Fragmentation Summer Solstice Gathering – Rainbow Spider Grandmother Ritual; 29 Palms, CA
Slutstice, House of Pearl – Performance and Installation; Morongo, CA
New Myths - Seraphim Dream Online Art Show (Curated and Exhibited); Online Worldwide
1-800-Heal-Yeah - Show Curation and Performance; Morongo Valley, CA
Green Tara Temple - Curation, Performance and Installation; Joshua Tree, CA
Winter Solstice Flaming Stars Community Performance - Activation Ritual; 29 Palms, CA
2020
Published: EarthBound / Companions, the Mayan AI – Anthology Publication (Painwise Press)
House of the Galactic Mirror – Online Worldwide Performance, Curation and Exhibition for Seraphim Dream
Tarot-thon for COVID Justice - Golden Dome School Open Eye Crystals; Los Angeles, CA
Tarot-thon for Black Lives - Online Worldwide Event
Collective Memory Solar Genius - Black Lives Matter Silent Online Auction; San Diego, CA
Seraphim Dream 2 - Show Curation and Performance; Highland Park, CA
Trancing with Tara - Online Show and Performance
Published: A Future Love - Muff Mag Issue 4.5
Dublab: Saturated Response, Group Audio Composition and Radio Broadcast - Los Angeles, CA
Published: “Message from Gaia to Sentient Beings” - Eco Crips Zine (Painwise Press)
222 Magic By the River - LA River Performance, Installation and Community Ritual at Los Angeles River; Glendale, CA
2019
Seraphim Dream 1 – Curation, Installation, Performances; Pasadena, CA
2018
Nebraska Street Altar - Native Plant Offering Installation and Attunement Performance; Algona, IA
2017
Native American Days, Reenactment of Algonquin Life: Ethno-Anthro Ceramics Installation - Department of Recreation and Wildlife; Algona, IA
2016
The Unseen - Sundays Gallery: Melrose; Los Angeles, CA
BFGF Studios - Chinatown Open Studios; Los Angeles, CA
Frontstreet Offerings “Nadine” Fundraiser IABF - NYC
2013
Hammer Museum’s Arts ReSTORE; Ermie Collection – Selected Works; Los Angeles, CA
2010
Golden Parachutes Mail Art Show - San Francisco, CA
2009
'Rooster Works' Dream Picnic - Portland Village School Art Show and Fundraiser; Portland, OR
2004–2008
Home Skillette Garden Space Show - Portland, OR
Crafty Wonderland - Portland, OR
Grandma Candle - Alberta Street Co-op; Portland, OR
2003–2005
Pan Returns - Needles and Pens; San Franscisco, CA
2426 Mission Street Gallery - Open Exhibition Space, San Francisco, CA
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