Curriculum Vitae
EDUCATION
2017 BFA in Fine Art, La Sierra University, Riverside, CA | Magna Cum Laude
TEACHING
2026 Arts 224-Drawing I, Adjunct Faculty, La Sierra University, Riverside, CA
2025 Arts 117-Creative Visual Thinking, Guest Artist, La Sierra University, Riverside, CA
Developed, organized, and led a project centered on creating zines and artist’s books. Created a comprehensive zine on the history and types of zines and artist’s books to help students identify these formats and learn various techniques for approaching the project. Coordinated a visit to the Garcia Center for the Arts Library, where students explored diverse zines, handmade books, and self-published works in a community setting. Guided students during work sessions, offering constructive feedback to support their progress. Concluded the project with an informal in-person critique and a student reflection activity to encourage critical thinking and self-assessment.
2023-2025 Adult Special Needs & Disabilities Art Instructor, Total Educational Activity Model, Riverside, CA
Developed and revamping the art program for TEAM—designing a variety of art and craft activities tailored specifically for adults with special needs and disabilities. I ensured that I accommodated to their individual needs while taking into account their specific conditions and behaviors. Through engaging activities and personalized guidance, each client had the opportunity to develop fine motor skills, express themselves creatively, improve concentration, and enhance active listening skills.
2017-2022 High School Art Teacher, Notre Dame High School, Riverside, CA
Yessenia served as a dedicated visual arts educator, teaching Art I, Art II, AP 2-D Art and Design, and Textile Design. As a Certified Apple Teacher, she integrated technology to enhance creativity and deepen students’ artistic skills. She also served as an Art Club moderator, fostering a supportive community for student artists beyond the classroom.
COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS
2026 Calming Sun Prints in the Garden with Yessenia Barron Reyes, Instructor, Ontario Museum of History & Art—Tongva and California Native Plant Gardens, Ontario, CA
Breathe, explore, and create! Join artist Yessenia Barron Reyes for a relaxing cyanotype workshop inspired by California native plants. Families will practice simple mindfulness exercises, create nature-based sun prints that emphasize texture and observation, resulting in a handmade saddle-stitch zine to take home. This drop-in outdoor program supports creativity and mental wellness.
2025 Plein Air Sketching Session with Yessenia Barron Reyes, Instructor, Ontario Museum of History & Art—Tongva and California Native Plant Gardens, Ontario, CA
Capture scenes from the Museum’s Tongva and California Native Plant Gardens in a plein air (outdoor) sketching session with Yessenia Barron Reyes from the Ontario Open Exhibition. Plein air sketching is the practice of drawing or painting outdoors, allowing artists to observe and capture the natural environment in real time. In this session, you’ll learn techniques for sketching in an open-air setting while paying close attention to light, color, and form.
2017 Eco-Printing Workshop, Instructor, Martha McLean—Anza Narrows Park, Riverside, CA
Join us for an eco-printing session with visual artist Yessenia Barron. Community members will enjoy exploring how to gather plant materials, learn about their life spans, and create beautiful prints on paper using natural specimens. The individual will also engage in cutting plants in an eco-friendly manner and remain mindful of the existing ecology in the area.
Project Bici: Stories from the Eastside with Artist Cynthia Herrera, Project Assistant, Riverside Art Museum, Riverside, CA
During Project Bici, I supported the artist in residence, Cynthia Herrera, in engaging with the East Side Riverside community by facilitating the use of a bicycle book “library”. I facilitated invitations to the community to document their family histories, community needs, and personal stories, while also capturing photographs throughout the project. I assisted the artist by attending workshop sessions, conducting surveys, aiding with setup and dismantling, documenting photographs, and maintaining detailed notes and observations.
2014 Drawing and Painting Garden Markers, Instructor, Arlanza Community Garden, Riverside, CA
RESEARCH
2016-2017 Arts 364A-Textile Dyeing, Research Assistant, La Sierra University, Riverside, CA
As an undergraduate student, I assisted the professor with research on ecological printing and natural dyeing, utilizing both local and non-native plants, specifically eucalyptus specimens. I experimented with various methods to extract prints and dyes for fabric and paper—carefully noting each technique, ingredient, and material on a detailed template sheet I created. This was a wonderful opportunity to learn and contribute to sustainable art practices while also learning from my professor.
AWARDS
2020 Student Choice Award for Favorite Teacher, Notre Dame High School, Riverside, CA | Sylvan Learning
Spirit of our Lady, Notre Dame High School, Riverside, CA
2019 Innovator of the Month, Notre Dame High School, Riverside, CA
2017 Outstanding Senior of the Year Award, La Sierra University, Riverside, CA
Annual Student Exhibition Best of Show Award, La Sierra University, Riverside, CA
Bronze Award for Logo Design, American Advertising Federation, Riverside, CA
2013 Atanas & Sasha Katchamakoff Scholarship, La Sierra University, Riverside, CA
Eva Specht Memorial Scholarship, La Sierra University, Riverside, CA
Mabel Earp-Cason Scholarship, La Sierra University, Riverside, CA
The Broad Prize Scholarship, La Sierra University, Riverside, CA | TheEli and Edythe Broad Foundation
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2026 The Return of Saturn, Amato Studio, Los Angeles, CA
Faculty Exhibit, Brandstater Gallery, Riverside, CA
2025 Everything & Anything Exhibition, The Little Gallery of San Bernardino, San Bernardino, CA
Steve Thomas Photography Open, Chaffey Community Museum of Art, Ontario, CA
13th Biennial Ontario Open Art Exhibition, Ontario Museum of History & Art, Ontario, CA
40th Annual Made in California Exhibition, Brea Gallery, Brea, CA
2024 Alumni Exhibition, Brandstater Gallery, Riverside, CA
Our Common Ground, The Little Gallery of San Bernardino, San Bernardino, CA
2017 Habitation—Senior Show Exhibition, Brandstater Gallery, Riverside, CA
2016 Artists’ Book Cornucopia VII, Abecedarian Gallery, Denver, CO
ZINE FESTS
2026 IE Print & Zine Fest, San Bernardino, CA
COLLECTIONS
2026 Surrender, ILL Poetry and Art Anthology Vol. 4: Shedding| Curious Publishing
2025 Mend, ILL Poetry and Art Anthology Vol. 3: Cosecha (Harvest) | Curious Publishing
2025 Propagate—Your Thoughts, The Garcia Center for the Arts Library, San Bernardino, CA | IE Print & Zine Fest
ARTIST TALKS, ETC
2021 Visiting Artist Talk: Preparing a Summer Play Proposal, La Sierra University, Riverside, CA
2017 Annual High School & Academy Student Show Guest Jury, La Sierra University, Riverside, CA
SELECTED PRESS
Rich DuBose, “Restorative Art: An interview with Yessenia Barron about her art and mission.” InSpire, April 19, 2017. https://adventistsocietyforthearts.org/restorative-art/