Meet the maker

Emlyn Taveras is a New York based Afro-Latina artist and educator with over 25 years of experience creating multimedia works of art, and immersive art experiences. As an artist and educator Emlyn is interested in honoring the evolution of our individual and collective identities. Emlyn’s creative process is an investigation of self, space and time. Creating is a metaphysical experience that connects her with the core essence of self and her environment. While impacted by the ever changing realities of social life, through cultural and historical research and continuous investigation of the human experience she builds mixed - media artworks that reflect these experiences and stories. 

Emlyn holds a dual Masters degree in Art Education and Visual Arts from The College of The City of New York. She sits on the Board of Directors of The Village of Pelham Council of the Arts, The Pelham Arts Center and Concordia Conservatory.  Emlyn also offers culturally relevant Professional Development and public workshops for Educators, Administrators and students of all ages as well as public workshops in local communities.

She is inspired by process and storytelling through materials, and every idea is a revelation that builds over time. Emlyn is impacted by learning and reflecting throughout the stages
of her creative process and through exploration of technique.  This combination leads Emlyn to create works that explore identity within spiritual and physical realms.

Emlyn is also inspired by the possibilities of transforming spaces through the arts and works with a variety of partners and collaborators to realize this vision. Her collaborations and projects include the transformation of several NYC buildings and businesses into Art Schools in the Bronx.  Her current projects include Golden Lady Strip Club, Sin City Gentleman's club, and The revitalization of a new Arts school in San Juan Puerto Rico; a beautiful representation of an adaptive use project, uplifting localized communities.

Education

BA in Fine Arts, The State University Of New York at New Paltz, NY

MS in Art Education, The City University of New York, NY.

Photo credit: Anaya Santiago

  • La Maison De Beaumont, Arts Residency, Beaumont-de-Pertuis, Luberon, France, Arts Residency 2023

    Arts Westchester, Mount Vernon Initiative Arts Grant Awardee, 2023

    The Village of Pelham Council of the Arts, Public Programming in the Arts, Pelham, NY

    Board of Directors at the Pelham Arts Center, Youth leadership & Community Engagement, Pelham, NY

    Board of Directors at Concordia Music Conservatory, Bronxville, NY

    LULAC, Delegate of the Hispanic Civil Rights Association, Puerto Rico 2022

    The NYC Highline, NYC Teen Program-”What is Liberation”, Artist/Educator

    The Sugar Hill Childrens’ Museum of Art & Storytelling- Teaching Artist, Community Artist, Consulting

    Neighborhood Association for Inter-Cultural Affairs, Bronx, NY - Muralist, Community Artist

    Urban Soul Alliance, Non Profit Organization, Installation Artist, Community & Youth Programming

    The Queens Museum, NYC, Installation artist, Prof. Development

    The South Bronx Charter School for International Cultures and the Arts-Bronx, NY., Exhibiting Artist

    The New York City Department of Education, Prof. Development & Artist

    The National Art Education Association, Educator

    Angels and Allies & Hermanas Empowerment Resolve, Youth leadership Programming

    PS 1-Museum of Modern Art, “Latino Culture & Heineken” exhibit, Queens, NY

  • “Latino Culture and Heineken” PS 1-MOMA, Queens, NY

    “Herstory” BSP Gallery, Kingston, NY

    “Women in Art”, “Graduate Exhibit” and “Alumni Exhibit”, The City College of New York, NY- Alumni Art Show

    “Cultural and Historical Arts Collection for children” SBCSICA- Permanent Exhibit, Bronx, NY

    The State University of New Paltz, NY- Graduate Exhibit

    The Pelham Arts Center, Pelham, New York