BACKGROUND

Energetic bilingual writer and visual and performance artist based in Chicago, IL. Creative writing instructor experienced in utilizing images, collage and drawing to build confidence in writing skills and artistic expression. Arts activist trained in refined listening skills. Experience working with diverse communities to help bridge cultural understanding, particularly in urban environments.

FELLOWSHIP

• Artist Fellowship, DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, Washington, DC, 2003-2004

INSTALLATIONS AND EXHIBITS

• Intimate on 18th/Íntimo en la 18, Photography Exhibit, Chicago, IL, 2005
• Poets Against the War Poetry Installation, Martin Luther King Library, Washington, DC, 2004

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

Poetry Chapbook

• First Come, First Served, Mama Chelo Press, Washington, DC, December, 2001

Anthologies

• Poem, “The Paloma’s Lament,” 100 Poets Against the War, Salt Publishing, Cambridge, UK, 2003
• Poem, “The Paloma’s Lament,” DC Poets Against the War, Argonne Hotel Press, Washington, DC, 2003 & 2004
• Poem, “Orange Food,” E, 1998 Emily Dickinson Award Anthology, Universities West Press, Flagstaff, AZ, 1999
• Story, “Memo and the Accident,” Silver Quill Anthology, The Scriveners, Wichita, KS, 1996

Journals

• Poem, “Isaiah”, Gargoyle 48, Paycock Press, Arlington, VA, 2004
• Interview and Poems, “Ode to María Elena,” “Fresh Tomatoes,” “The Kingdom of Beggie Beggie,” “Where Do Frozen Fruit Pies Come From?” and “Caz Camp,” Tiger’s Eye, Issue 4, Tiger’s Eye Press, Sacramento, CA, Fall/Winter 2002
• Poem, “Magic Pork Chops,” California Quarterly, Volume 26, Number 4, California State Poetry Society, Orange, CA, 2000
• Essay, “Cheese Steak Childhood,” Voces: A Journal of Chicana/Latina Studies, UC Davis, Davis, CA, Summer 1999

Magazines

• Poem, “Tourists En España,” The Washington Review, Volume XXVI, Number 6, Friends of the Washington Review, Washington, DC, April/May 2001
• Poems, “Alexander,” “Meat Fest,” “Cawfee,” WordWrights Magazine, Argonne Hotel Press, Washington, DC, Fall 1999/Winter 2000
• Story, “Brown and White Striped Socks,” Ojo de Buey Magazine Cultural, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 1995

CD

• Poems, “Orange Food” and “Fresh Tomatoes,” Gargoyle 46, Arlington, VA, 2003

Internet

• Poem, The Paloma’s Lament, www.voicesinwartime.org, 2004
• Essay, “Rebecca Villarreal on Angelina Weld Grimke,” Beltway, An Online Poetry Quarterly, Washington, DC, 2003
• Poems, “Drawing,” “Boy Away From An Island,” “My Own Place,” “Congratulations” and “For Noa,” Beltway, An Online Poetry Quarterly, Volume Two, Number Two, Washington, DC, 2001
• Poem, “The Paloma’s Lament”, www.poetsagainstthewar.org, Port Townsend, WA, 2003

Newsletters and Annual Reports

• Photographs, African Wildlife Foundation Annual Report, Washington, DC, 1996-1999
• Essay, “Looking for Treasures,” Artlines, DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, 1999
• Article and photographs, “Touching Lions,” African Wildlife News, African Wildlife Foundation, Washington, DC, Spring 1999

SELECTED READINGS AND PERFORMANCES, Washington, DC

• DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, Latino Writers Reading, 2003
• Poetry Coffee House at Georgetown Grace Church, 2003
• 100 Poets Against the War, Borders Books, 2003
• George Meany Center for Labor Studies National Labor College, Spanish Immersion for Union Activists Reading, 2002
• Howard University Radio, WHUR, 96.3 FM, 2002
• June Jordan Memorial Reading, Vertigo Books, 2002
• Montgomery County Cable Television, “Coffeehouse,” 1999-2002
• Montgomery County Poetry Slam, Borders Books, 2001
• The Nora School Reading Series, The Nora School, 2001
• Remembrance, Source Theater, 2001
• Ascension Reading Series, Vertigo Books, 1997, Strathmore Hall, 2001
• Speak Easy, Washington Storytellers Theater, The Black Cat, 1998, HR-57, 2000
• Adda Reading Series, Chi-Cha Lounge, 1998, 2000
• My Secret Ingredient, Revamped Community Theater, Universalist National Memorial Church, 1999
• Revamped Community Arts Show, Amheric Hall Residence, 1996
• Caffeine Cravers, One World Theater, Universalist National Memorial Church, 1995

RELATED EXPERIENCE

• Creative Writing Instructor, 1996-Present
  Offers writing workshops utilizing images, collage and drawing, with a focus on making writing and art accessible to children lacking confidence in this area. Also trains teachers to do the same. Past clients include D.C. Scores, Montgomery County Youth Poetry Initiative and St. George’s Episcopal Church after-school program.

EDUCATION

• B.A., English, Georgetown University, Magna Cum Laude, 1991
  Lambda Beta, National Spanish Honor Society
  National Hispanic Scholarship Fund Recipient
• Jenny McKean Moore Workshop Participant, George Washington University, 1995, 2000
• Editing and Publications coursework, Georgetown University, 1995

ACTIVITIES

• Board Member, Teaching for Change, 1999-2003
• Panelist, Literary Grant Review and Larry Neal Award for Poetry, D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities, 1998-1999
• Panelist, Literary Grant Review, Maryland State Arts Council, 1998
• Teacher, English as a Second Language, Sacred Heart Adult Education Center, 1995
• Chairperson, National Hispanic Scholarship Review Committee, 1991-1994

OTHER

Spanish (fluent), French (conversant); Traveled extensively in Africa, Europe and Latin America

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All images and text ©Rebecca Villarreal. No reproduction without permission.