Bertica: Finding Beauty in Creation

Bertica was born and raised in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.  The beauty of the island was her first inspiration for becoming an artist. Although she did not begin her formal schooling in Fine Arts until the age of 16, her earliest memories of her favorite things involve drawing pads and pencils.  Over the course of her career, she has participated in exhibitions in the US and the Dominican Republic. Presently, she teaches art at St. Theresa Catholic School in Phoenix where she is sharing her knowledge and love of art with nearly 300 students.

Click on the videos below to watch our interview with her to hear more about her immigration story and her journey pursuing art and teaching.    Thank you to Bertica for sharing her story and passion with us.  ‍

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Bertica’s Journey to the United States‍

Bertica’s first time in the U.S. was when she was 12 years old, when she visited family in Washington D.C. for a summer.  During her visit she learned that her country was governed by a dictator much to her shock. After completing high school, the Dominican Republic fell into a civil war, and at this time Bertica’s parents felt it would be best for her to study in the U.S., and that is the beginning of Bertica’s life in the states.

Finding Beauty in Creation

Bertica is fascinated by the beauty of the Dominican Republic.  She and her topographer father would spend a lot of time together in nature, which fostered her sense of awareness for the allure of her home. Now as an art teacher she hopes to instill the same curiosity and awareness in her own student’s minds.  

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“Anytime you want to learn about something, draw it because then you really look at it”

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