LISA RUIZ

Lisa Ruiz earned a BFA at Towson University and an M.A. Ed at Cambridge College focused on Arts Education and Advocacy. While earning a teaching credential she built the Visual Arts program at a new VAPA School of Choice in HLPUSD. She taught drawing & painting, sculpture and ceramics, and advanced art at this site for 15 years. She led the visual art program for two years at a traditional high school in the same district. Then she moved to the Curriculum & Instruction department at the district office where she supported all arts disciplines (55 teachers) at 34 schools as well as, the Principal’s vision for the arts at each site for PK-12. In this role, she also wrote and coordinated grants, designed discrete and integrated arts curricula for HLPUSD and for LACOE, led professional development, developed partnerships with arts organizations across the county, and informed district leadership of legislation and policy that affected arts education and the creative economy.

While pursuing a career as an art educator and leader, raising three incredible humans, pursuing advanced degrees, and advocating for the arts across California, Lisa has maintained a studio practice. Her work has been exhibited at the Whittier Art Gallery, Progress Space in Pomona, Gallery Soho in Pomona, the San Bernardino History Museum, Chaffey Art Museum, and various art festivals.

Lisa developed leadership and arts advocacy skills as a Visual and Performing Arts Teacher On Special Assignment at HLPUSD, with The California Arts Project, Inner City Arts, the Arts Ed Collective, and the LA Music Center. She is an Active Fellow and an Executive Board Member of the Whittier Art Association & Gallery. She holds an Administrative Credential, a Single-Subject Art Credential, and a CTE AME Credential.