Blanca Santander

Blanca Santander is a Seattle visual artist who immigrated from Lima, Peru, where she received her degree in fine arts. She has received many awards and grants, both national and local during her years here in the Pacific Northwest. In Peru, Blanca worked with international non-profits, illustrating and doing graphic design for educational materials that would be given to impoverished families. These materials were guides on how to survive in their environment, and to utilize the local ecosystem without damaging it permanently. These non-profit operations were in remote places where Shining Path terrorists were most active. After surviving capture by terrorists, she finally decided to immigrate to the United States, choosing to live in Seattle, Washington. There, she reestablished her career, exhibiting her art in various venues, acting as curator several times for the Latino art community, teaching as an artist in residence in different schools across the city, and working with the City of Seattle, 4Culture, and other non-profits both local and national on different projects involving public art and teaching art. 

Blanca’s artwork is deeply inspired by nature, feminine imagery and concepts, and Latin American cultures. In recent years she has been proud to have permanent installations in public spaces, working to contribute to communities through her artwork. Blanca also considers herself an artivist, often displaying themes of social and environmental justice in her artwork.