Team – WordPress

The Artists Ink Team

A Committed Family of Passionate Artist & Community Builders

Composed of Graphic designers, animators, directors, writers, performers, and sound designers, Artists Ink is a collaborative organization that encourages artists of all disciplines to come together and push the boundaries of traditional art and create work that builds community and inspires change.

Emily Morales-Ortiz

Founding Director - A performing artist, writer, producer and director raised in East Salinas, Emily has been active in the arts for the past 18 years.

Yameli Manriquez

Outreach & Administrative Assistant

Juanita Vasquez

Graphic Designer & Creative Leader Mentor

Kyra Fung

Program Administrator & Y.O.L.I. Arts Mentor - I am a teaching artist. My main ink is drawing, which I love to use to explore inner worlds. I graduated from UC Santa Cruz with a Studio Arts Degree and my dream is to write and illustrate books for children on mental health

Jonathan Flores-Armenta

Y.O.L.I. Arts Mentor -

Carlos L. Cortez

Program Dirctor - A working artist in Salinas and all over California for 20 years. Carlos has worked in theaters throughout the Bay Area working with local and international artists.

Dante Carballo

Editor, Sound & Light Technician - With over 15 years of experience, Dante is a theater technician, composer, performer, and sound engineer for various companies throughout the bay area.

Lupita Marisol Rodriguez

TXO Mentor - A central coast artist who studied abroad in Japan, receiving her AA from Hartnell, & her BFA in Cinematic Arts & Technology from CSUM. Lupita strives to create & participate in content that highlights her strong cultural roots

Ricardo Cortez

Y.O.L.I. Arts Mentor -

Ricardo Ibarra

Y.O.L.I. Arts Mentor -

Rodrigo Reyes

Y.O.L.I. Arts Mentor -

Barbara Carballo

Administration Manager - Graduate of University of California, Davis. Barbara is the administrative manager, but also works as a stage manager and technical assistant in Artists Ink's various projects & productions

Alejandro M Casanova

Digital Marketing Manager & Website Administrator - Graduate of California State University, Monterey Bay, with a BS in Business Administration w/ a concentration in Marketing.

Jessica Cerritos

Creative Leader Mentor - Jessica Cerritos is a creative from Salinas, Ca. A graduated of University of California, Berkeley with a Bachelor of Arts in Peace and Conflict Studies and a minor in Ethnic Studies.

Lisa Lopez

Y.O.L.I. Arts Mentor - Graduated from California State University, Long Beach with a BFA in illustration. Lisa is an emerging artist, working in both digital and traditional media.

David Tapia

Y.O.L.I. Arts Mentor -

Andres Ortiz

Creative Mentor - A graduate from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX with a BFA in acting. Current Arts Education Manager for the Santa Cruz Arts Council and resident director with Artists Ink.