Photo credit: Courtesy of the artist

Ep.249 Onay Gutierrez is a multifaceted artist, collector, and preservationist with a rich background that spans education, ceramics, and historic preservation. Born in Veracruz, Mexico in 1977, Gutierrez began his career as an early elementary school teacher in marginalized communities in his home state. After immigrating to the United States, honed his skills as a ceramic artist.
Gutierrez has a deep connection to the Penland School of Craft in the mountains of North Carolina, where he has been a student, patron, and now serves as a board member. This connection has likely influenced his artistic growth and commitment to the craft community.

In addition to his artistic pursuits, Gutierrez is a passionate advocate for historic preservation. Alongside Jeffrey Childers PhD, he has restored three National Historic Places in Raleigh, NC. His commitment to art and social justice is further evident in their founding of the Gutierrez Collection, a contemporary art collection that explores themes of mental health, LGBTQ+ rights, Latin and Latinx identities, African and African diasporic cultures, women’s art, and activism.

The Gutierrez Collection has gained significant recognition, with its first museum exhibition currently on view at the Cameron Museum of Art in Wilmington, NC, until September 7th, and set to travel to the NC Museum of Art’s Winston-Salem campus this fall. Through his work, Gutierrez continues to make a lasting impact on the art world, historic preservation, and social justice initiatives.

Cameron Art Museum  https://cameronartmuseum.org/exhibition/we-belong-here-the-gutierrez-collection/

The Endowment https://theendowment.org/event/cameron-art-museum-cam-after-dark-conversation-with-the-collectors-onay-gutierrez-and-jeffrey-childers/

ArtSuite https://artsuite.com/blogs/community/onay-gutierrez?srsltid=AfmBOopGnj0zCHXUCInnV8PELmUsyhmVUyW0VCdcYlMRTou3JVRDdagM

Issuu https://issuu.com/ncartmuseum/docs/spring_24_preview_web

North Carolina Museum of Art https://ncartmuseum.org/collection/museum-collection/new-acquisitions/

Penland School of Craft https://www.givecampus.com/schools/PenlandSchoolofCraft

Amoako Boafo
Side by Side, oil on canvas 2022.
Courtesy of the artist and Mariane Ibrahim gallery.

Ayana V. Jackson
IT IS ONLY WHEN YOU LOSE YOUR MOTHER THAT SHE BECAMES MYTH, 2021.
Courtesy of the artist and Mariane Ibrahim Gallery.

Ana Segovia
Such arrogant rich boys, 2018.
Courtesy of the artist

Carmen Neely
You’ve come a long way baby, 2022
Courtesy of the artist and Mariane Ibrahim Gallery