Today we’d like to introduce you to Celeste de Luna.
Hi Celeste, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I started as an ordinary art teacher who went and got an MFA funded in part by the district I worked for. It led me to a journey of transitioning from a painter to a printmaker, from a high school art teacher to a career in higher education and in fine arts. I lived in the Valley up until 2020 working at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and then moved to San Antonio. In San Antonio I found a job with Alamo Colleges and opportunities to keep showing my work. Today I’m an assistant professor at Northwest Vista College teaching printmaking, art appreciation, and humanities classes.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No, not smooth but I would characterize my life and career as non traditional/ not linear. I might be classified as a late bloomer. I also married and had children young. I’m a first generation high school graduate and college graduate. My parents had their own wisdom, knowledge, and gifts they passed on to me. I credit my parents for my creativity, resilience, and grit. However, the value of understanding systems, healthcare and education, for example is a something I learned on my own.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a multidisciplinary artist and educator based in San Antonio, working across printmaking, textile arts, and graphic design. My practice often explores embodiment, borderlands, memory, and cultural identity through relief printing, screen printing, and mixed-media work. What I’m known for is combining strong technical skill with conceptually driven work and community-based teaching. I’ve led printmaking workshops, taught in higher education, and developed projects that connect art-making with access, storytelling, and social context. I’m especially proud of creating spaces where artists and students can experiment, build confidence, and make work that feels meaningful and visually compelling.
What sets me apart is that I move fluidly between studio practice, design, and pedagogy. I bring both craft and conceptual depth, and I’m equally comfortable making work, curating it, teaching it, or shaping it into a professional presentation.
What are your plans for the future?
I’m currently working on two major projects: a collaborative textile based project and a graphic novel project. Both are meaningful to me because they allow me to explore different aspects of my practice while continuing to build work that is conceptually strong and visually engaging. As for the near future, I don’t have any major changes planned. I’ll continue teaching over the next few years and keep developing my artwork, which has always been the core of my professional life. I’m very steady in my practice, and that consistency has shaped the way I work, teach, and plan for the future.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.celestedeluna.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/metztlipress/
