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 experimental forms in ceramics, textiles, time-based media, painting, drawing and interstitial exploration. Thru mythic inquiry and interconnectivity research, it holds space for reconnection. My work explores biocultural identity through anthroecological and relational field investigation-based art practices that center land, memory and embodied experience.
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 experimental forms in ceramics, textiles, time-based media, painting, drawing and interstitial exploration. Thru mythic inquiry and interconnectivity research, it holds space for reconnection. My work explores biocultural identity through anthroecological and relational field investigation-based art practices that center land, memory and embodied experience.
⚕️
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
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
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
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 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)
Braille Institute Studio Arts/ Ceramic Dept co-teacher 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 Art Mentor 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, Healing Arts Practitioner, Community Arts Program Coordinator
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 to April 2023
Yucca Valley Materials Lab and Studio
BIPOC Programming Support and Work Trade; Yucca Valley, CA
2023 & 2024
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
2000s–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 2000-2001
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, Felix Art Fair Roosevelt Hotel – LA Ayuda Fire Relief Benefit, Hollywood, CA
2024
Rites Performed at LA River, Dark Times Revival Show, L.A., CA
2023
Desert Chalice Performance, Oracle Tavern, Los Angeles, CA
The Beatnik Gallery for ‘QueerRated’ in Joshua Tree CA
2022
Ancient Ocean Arcade, High Desert Test Sites, Sky Village Swap Meet, Yucca Valley, CA (HDTS Headquarters ‘Parallel Programs for The Seekers)
Square One Mary Temple, Invocation, Performance, Sound Piece, Video and Exhibition Installation, at Flower Head Solo Show (Paintings, Floating Altar, Interactive Space, Time Based Art, Sound) in El Sereno CA, Los Angeles
2021
Mary Temple Love Altar, Flower Head – Performance and Installation, L.A., CA
Seraphim Dream: Shadow Pines, Mail Order Show – Curated/Exhibited, Los Angeles
LA River Water Emergency – Show and Performance
Solstice Fairies and Dragons, Sound Installation at Marsh Park, Los Angeles
Summer Solstice Gathering, 29 Palms – Rainbow Spider Ritual
Slutstice, House of Pearl Wisdom, Morongo – Performance and Installation, CA
New Myths, SD Online Art Show – Curated and Exhibited
1-800-Heal-Yeah, Show Curation and Performance, Morongo Valley, CA
Green Tara Temple, Curation, Performance, Installation
Winter Solstice Flaming Stars, Activation Ritual, 29 Palms – Community Performance
2020
EarthBound / Companions, the Mayan AI – Anthology Publication (Painwise Press)
House of the Galactic Mirror – Online Performance, Curation, Exhibition for Seraphim Dream
Tarot-thon for COVID Justice, Golden Dome School at Open Eye Crystals, Los Angeles
Tarot-thon for Black Lives, Online Event
Collective Memory, Silent Online Auction – Solar Genius Painting for Black Lives Matter
Seraphim Dream 2, Show Curation and Performance, Los Angeles
Trancing with Tara, Online Show and Performance
A Future Love, Poem Published in Muff Mag Issue 4.5
Dublab: Saturated Response, Group Audio Composition, Radio Broadcast
Eco-Crips, Edited by Olivia Dreisinger – Poem: “Message from Gaia to Sentient Beings”
222 Magic By the River, LA River Performance, Installation + Ritual, LA, CA
2019
Seraphim Dream 1, Pasadena – Curation, Installation, Performances, CA
2018
Nebraska Street Altar, Native Plant Offering Installation and Attunement Performance, Algona, IA
2017
Native American Days, Reenactment of Algonquin Life and Ethno-Anthro Ceramics Installation, Algona, IA
2016
Sundays Gallery, Melrose, Los Angeles, CA
BFGF Studios, Exhibition and Performance, Chinatown, L.A., CA
IABF, “Nadine” Exhibition and Table Piece, NYC
2013
Hammer Museum’s Arts ReSTORE – Selected Works by Vanessa Samp, L.A., CA
2010
Golden Parachutes Mail Art Show, San Francisco, CA
2004–2008
Home Skillette Garden Space Show, Portland, OR
2003–2005
2426 Mission Street Gallery, Open Exhibition Space, San Francisco, CA
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse