Instagram: @ART.SANDRAPEREZRAMOS

Sandra Pérez-Ramos is a Puerto Rican visual artist and community art leader working in the Washington, DC metro area. She is a Resident Artist in Gallery 209, affiliated with Artists & Makers Studios in Rockville, Maryland. Her body of work includes drawings, fiber arts, installation, murals and public art. The repetition of dots and lines (drawn, knotted or sewn) are an essential ritual in all her series. It simbolizes the "collective unconscious" and interconnection, which are recurring themes in her work. Her drawings blend naïf, kitsch and contemporary aesthetics. She approaches personal themes of interest, such as cultural clash, language mix, spiritual magic and syncretism, through the use of fiber materials and assemblage. Art Critic Lennox Campello, described her work in the Alexandria Old Town Crier: "Pérez-Ramos channels her Caribbean upbringing in her accomplished works. Her artistic pedigree is evident in her gifted use of color and form to deliver highly stylized imagery, which over the years has grown into one of the hardest achievements in the art world: a completely distinct style and ritual.” When it comes to public art, she understands the power of placemaking and design. Margaret Rifkin, Founder of The Art & Walkability Project in Silver Spring, MD, says: “Pérez-Ramos' art is for everyone...one of the most democratic ways to bring beauty to the body politic, both the marginalized and mainstream”. Her intention is to create uplifting works that transform communities, encourage healing and celebrate diversity.
In 2020, the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission selected Pérez-Ramos to design Prince George County's commemorative poster for its Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration. In 2021, The Better Block Foundation commissioned her to design a temporary mural for the Pike District at the Bethesda Trolley Trailhead. Her works have been exhibited throughout the US and Puerto Rico and acquired for the permanent collections of Washington DC's Children's National Hospital, Marie Reed Project for Community of Hope, by Mayor Tracey Furman (for Kensington's Town Hall). Her design, The Gathering Tree, a collaboration with artist Stuart Diekmeyer for Glenmont Forest Neighborhood Park in Silver Spring, MD, received two Public Art Project Implementation Grant awards from the Maryland State Arts Council, through GFN Civic Association. It is located at 12220 Georgia Ave, Glenmont-Wheaton, 20902.
Additional public art awards include:
▪️“Hope Tree” - Mural banner for the #ArtHappensHere Public Art Project by the Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County. Installed at Woodside Urban Park in Downtown Silver Spring, MD for one year.
▪️“Celebration” - Painted sculpture for Art in Bloom Public Art installation by the National Cherry Blossom Festival 2021 in Washington, DC. Her sculpture was temporarily located at 4th St & Butternut St in the Takoma, DC neighborhood. Then purchased by the Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC for its permanent collection.
▪️“Roots/Raíces” -50 ft Mural for Wheaton Gateway LLC Art Project (Wilco, Duffie Co. and Montgomery County Housing) currently on the intersection between University Blvd and Veirs Mill Rd in Wheaton, MD.
▪️“The Lunatics” -Painted sculpture for Path of Pyramids, a traveling public art installation by Wheaton Arts Parade. It started in Wheaton, MD, then it was exhibited at In (Site) Project Gallery in VisArts, Rockville, MD, at Sandy Spring Museum, MD and is currently at Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD.

Sandra works as Visual Arts Assistant for the Arts & Cultural Heritage Division of Prince Georges' County Department of Parks and Recreation in Maryland, where she designs and installs exhibitions that highlight local artists. She also serves as cultural liaison for the Hispanic Heritage Month art programs. She has served in multiple leadership roles within regional art organizations, focusing on membership outreach and inclusion of Latin and diverse creatives. Some of these past roles were: Co-founder of The Latino Art League of Greater Washington DC's (*first) chapter, Membership Committee Chair for Montgomery Art Association, leader of the Wheaton Area Latinx Artists for WAP, leader of the Tableaux Vivant groups for Wheaton Arts Parade, Social Media Coordinator for Artists On Market and Gallery 209, Exhibition Installation Manager for Wheaton Arts Parade's (*former two) gallery spaces inside Westfield Wheaton Mall

*For the complete list of affiliations, awards, solo and juried exhibitions visit the Curriculum Vitae tab.


(Photo above: Sandra Pérez-Ramos completing one of two murals for the local, Latin owned restaurant, 2Fifty's in Riverdale, MD).

 

IG: @ART.SANDRAPEREZRAMOS