We had a chance to catch up with Summer 2016 International Artist-In-Residence, Juan William Chávez, to chat about his practice and taco preference.
Don’t miss the IAIR opening Thursday, July 14, 6-9pm.

Juan William Chávez is an artist and cultural activist who creates and shares space in the built and natural environment to address community identified issues. His studio practice incorporates drawings, films, photographs, architectural interventions, and unconventional forms of beekeeping and agriculture that utilize art as a way of researching, developing and implementing creative placemaking and socially-engaged projects. He has received awards and grants from the John Simon Guggenheim Foundation, Creative Capital, Graham Foundation and Art Matters. Chávez holds a BFA from the Kansas City Art Institute and a MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Artpace: Where are you from?
Juan William Chávez: I was born in Lima, Peru and raised in Saint Louis, MO.

AP: How would you describe your subject matter?
JWC: Urban ecosystem.

AP: What medium do you typically work with?
JWC: I’m an interdisciplinary artist. My studio practice incorporates drawings, films, photographs, architectural interventions, beekeeping and agriculture.

AP: What’s your favorite breakfast taco?
JWC: My favorite breakfast taco is potato and egg.