Maria Pineda is a visual artist based in Northwest Arkansas whose work is informed by Mexican visual culture, nostalgia, and familial tradition. From her nostalgia arises a childlike way of making and seeing. Utilizing a variety of mediums and with an emphasis on vibrant color and pattern making, she elevates everyday objects and turns them into playful visually interesting cultural icons. Her drawings work together to recreate the rich environment she grew up in as the daughter of two Mexican immigrants.

Maria will receive her BFA in Studio Art from the University of Arkansas in the fall of 2024. She is a recipient of the 2023-24 Creative Exchange Fund (CXF) program.