Four artists chosen as Emerging Artists in Arts District Liberty Station

NTC Foundation, the nonprofit organization that oversees the development of 26 buildings in Arts District Liberty Station, is excited to announce the next four visual artists selected as part of their Emerging Artist program. After receiving numerous submissions for the program, the NTC Foundation has awarded four talented artists, from unique and diverse backgrounds, free studio space in Barracks 14. Gracie Moon and Sean Sarmiento will occupy the Emerging Artists studio from July 2024 through December 2024, and Amanda DiGiovanni and Helena Westra will take over the studio from January 2025 through June 2025.

Each occupying a six-month term, the four visual artists will get the chance to explore their creativity and enhance their skills in one of San Diego’s most vibrant hubs for arts and culture. They will use this opportunity to build their career, engage with other artists, and grow their audience and patron base for future success.

“The NTC Foundation is always excited to uplift emerging artists in a way that stimulates creativity, sparks the imagination, and hones their skills within such a dynamic community like Arts District Liberty Station,” said Lisa Johnson, president and CEO of the NTC Foundation. “Through the Emerging Artist program, we can give the next wave of emerging talent in San Diego the platform to hone their skillsets by providing them with studio space. We are so excited to see what these four visual artists will achieve in the next year.”

AMANDA DIGIOVANNI
Born and raised in San Diego, artist DiGiovanni (above) has always been captivated by the dynamic nature of multimedia art and its ability to transcend boundaries. Her creative journey began at a young age, experimenting with various techniques and mediums, leading her to continue her artistic pursuits. Through her work in sculpture, performance, and photography, DiGiovanni evokes profound reflections on human existence. Eager to expand her creative horizons, she looks forward to growing as an artist during her residency at Arts District Liberty Station.

GRACIE MOON

As a Japanese American artist, Moon explores themes of racial and cultural intersectionality through her sculptural and performative work. She is developing a new body of work that integrates ceramics, performance, and sculpture, utilizing materials such as food, found objects, and both industrial and domestic items to create visual poetry. These stories navigate the tension of the in-between spaces where the complexities of her multicultural identity are examined. Moon eagerly anticipates the creative collaboration opportunities in the Arts District and is excited to collaborate with the dance and ceramic centers within the Arts District.

SEAN SARMIENTO

Before his debut residency in Arts District Liberty Station, Sarmiento showcased his captivating work throughout Southern California. As a photo-based artist, he manipulates architectural and photographic norms to challenge traditional perceptions of photography and two-dimensionality. Sarmiento has exhibited his work at the Athenaeum Museum in La Jolla, Palos Verdes Art Center, and the Student Life Pavilion and Metro Building at the University of San Diego, among others. His imagery often explores themes of home, capturing his own body in domestic settings to evoke feelings of being in between, moments that are both unknown and familiar. Sarmiento is excited to immerse himself in his practice in new and innovative ways in the Arts District.

HELENA WESTRA
Based in San Diego, Westra is a multifaceted artist specializing in sculpture, ceramics, performance, and land art. Utilizing a diverse range of accessible and often locally harvested materials such as clay, dirt, and found objects, her work serves as a meditation on introspection, release, and grounding. Westra delves into the realms of symbology and archetypes, employing themes of flora and fauna to forge a deep connection between the land and the environment. She is excited to explore new spaces, experiment with innovative mediums, and be in a generative headspace in the Arts District.