MARNIE L. NAVARRO,
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Marnie L. Navarro is a Coachella Valley-based multidisciplinary artist, educator, and owner of LIFEWORK Gallery. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a post-baccalaureate degree in Studio Art from California State University, San Bernardino, and a Master’s degree in Interdisciplinary Art Practice from the School of Visual Arts, New York.

Her art practice includes painting, photography, printmaking, video and sound installation, performance, as well as public art and curatorial projects. Her artworks are driven by continuous inquiries into the complexity of the psyche, highlighting human interconnectedness and behavioral motivation, with projects often resolving in unrelated forms such as political paintings, provocative video & sound work, and anonymous public interventions. She is a life-long Coachella Valley resident and champions greater access to the Arts for everyone.

Along with her vast experience in the visual arts, Ms. Navarro brings formal business administration acumen with 15+ years of experience in Health Information Management in both the non-profit and private sectors.

MARIELA GONZALEZ,
PROGRAM & OUTREACH SPECIALIST

Mariela Gonzalez is the Program Implementation and Community Outreach Specialist at Raices Cultura. She was born and raised in the Eastern Coachella Valley. She became involved with Raices during her junior year of high school as a member of the Youth-Led Participatory Action Research project (YPAR).

Growing up in the Coachella Valley, Mariela understood what the community needs were and learned ways to make a difference during her four years as a youth participant. Mariela is a graduate from the University of California, Santa Cruz where she double majored in Language Studies with a concentration in Spanish and Applied Linguistics & Multilingualism. While she was in college she continued to be involved in Raices with Nepantleras, the girls and women group that originated in 2013. Mariela brings a unique skillset with a passion for language development, community building, and arts & culture.