Biography:
Sofia V. Gonzalez is a Northern California native currently living and working in Petaluma, California. Raised in Marin County, California, Sofia is inspired by her natural surroundings and uses processes of sewing, staining, and color to explore her sense of place. Sofia graduated from the University of San Francisco with a Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts and Graphic Design in 2012. She received her MFA at California College of the Arts in San Francisco in 2014 where she focused on furthering her skills in textiles and natural dye techniques. Her work has been exhibited throughout the United States including California, the Midwest and the South. Recent awards include an Individual Artist Fellowship for her work in Contemporary Craft from the Arkansas Arts Council in 2017.
Since 2014, Sofia has taught community natural dye workshops that invite the public to learn how to make dye from waste materials and local plants. She is passionate about creating a sense of community and encouraging environmental appreciation and awareness through visual arts and textiles.
Sofia currently teaches art at the University of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, Santa Rosa Junior College, Santa Rosa, CA, and online for Southwestern College, San Diego, CA.