Biography

Cecilia Leonora Vargas is a Southern New Mexico-based arts professional that offers curatorial and project management to collectors, artists, and organizations. Her passion for making art accessible drives the work she does. She earned a dual M.A. in Art History, Theory and Criticism, as well as in Arts Administration and Policy from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC); and a B.F.A. in Painting and Printmaking from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Considering individual collection management needs, Vargas works closely with busy people and helps get their artwork organized for private and public purposes (i.e. tracking travel plans, label information, current location, exhibition loans, and exhibition history). She brings order to established artists and collectors’ pre-existing systems or lack thereof. When working closely with Edra Soto to archive the The Franklin Collection she collaboratively developed a project description, which was subsequently supported by a matching grant from 3Arts. Vargas provided creative solutions to issues requiring finesse and resourcefulness such as hands-on in depth research through interviewing and direct communications with artists in the collection.

While at Waubonsee Community College (WCC) Vargas worked with fellow employees who wanted to have artwork from the Permanent Student Art Collection placed in their area of the school. She consulted with them, guided artwork selection, installed artwork, and ensured that the location was updated in the internal database and on the public website so that anyone who looks at the online collection can use it for a self guided tour. 

Vargas is adept at identifying artistic talent and selecting quality artwork as an independent curator, juror, writer, or critic. As a City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) curatorial fellow, she collaboratively developed and produced the exhibit Triptych Unloose and the public programming which included artist and curator talks, performances, and an interview. This exhibit and associated programs were supported in part by the Joyce Foundation and put a direct spotlight on the works of three of the DCASE artists in residence.

In early 2020 she was the juror and curator for the national Women’s Caucus for Art’s exhibition Collectively Shifting where she developed a call for art, selected works, determined layout, and wrote an essay for the exhibition brochure. She represented the WCA at the reception that occurred during their annual conference, and she worked two open studio events at the gallery on the 4th floor of the Bridgeport Art Center.

Vargas’ management skills have been key to maintaining collections, exhibitions, projects, and relationships. She can frequently be found interacting in the art and culture community such as when the Aurora Public Arts Commission invited her to write an essay for a catalog and to moderate a panel discussion to accompany the exhibit NEVERTHELESS: Women Depicting Women.

Do you need curatorial services or advising on collection management? Email ceciliaclv [at] gmail [dot] com.