Artist Bio For Concha Castaneda

The Library is closed on Sunday's.  So in preparation for my next upcoming blogs, short stories, and art projects, it seems like a good time to insert an artist bio.

Concha Castaneda was born Concha Hendershot in Bowling Green Ohio (1958).  The family moved back to Licking County 1963 and Concha attended schools in the Licking Valley School district.  After graduating high school Concha attended Ohio State University taking additional courses at Columbus College Of Art and Design graduating in 1984.  Her degree was in Art Education with an emphasis in Art Therapy.

Concha continued her art education through the community scholar program at Denison University Granville Ohio.  To earn additional income while studying at Denison, Concha modeled for an art class proving that she was not afraid of either side of the sketch book!  In 1996 while studying ceramics at Denison, Concha helped design and construct a 40 foot labyrinth for the community.  She took several classes through Licking County Joint Vocational Continuing Education program as well, gaining experience in Lost Wax Casting.

Concha changed her last name from Hendershot to Castaneda when she moved to Columbus Ohio in 1998 in order to be more involved in the opportunities of the larger community.  The pseudonym seemed more fitting for her personality as a semiprofessional entertainer (Columbus Womens Drum Chorus & Columbus Community Drummers)  Ms Castaneda volunteered at The Arsenal (Cultural Arts Center) downtown Columbus as an assistant metal instructor for over 5 years simultaneously taking both jewelry and ceramics classes and obtaining her teaching certificate.

While taking classes and assisting in teaching Concha participated in both student and teacher exhibits and shows displaying her jewelry and ceramics.  In 2004, Concha was part of a show at The Works Gallery in Newark Ohio.  Ms Castaneda has showcased her designer knives, ornaments, jewelry, paintings, as well as her ceramics at Norka Futon on High Street in Columbus for several Gallery Hops from 2006-2009.

Ms. Castaneda recieved a grant from The Ohio Arts Council in 2012, and made it possible to enter The Quilt Of Elizabeth Brim in VSA A Day of Arts for All which took 3rd place and is touring Ohio this summer.

Ms Castaneda is now living in Licking County.  She continues to work on silversmithing, painting, ceramics, wood carving, and stone cutting always seeking new projects and collaborations