Verónica Rojas, MFA

Verónica works in different art programs in the San Francisco Bay Area that either serve adults with developmental disabilities or older adults, many with dementia. She is both a practicing and teaching artist.

Personal Hero

The artists at Creative Growth and the San Francisco Senior Center

Words of Strength

Creativity for everyone, creating connections

Vision

Art can be a valuable resource in reducing the negative impact that dementia has on people by transforming their lives making them feel inspired, engaged and that they belong to a community. Verónica believes our society needs to implement more art programs.

Strategy

Verónica uses art as a tool to help people find new ways of expressing themselves through art making. This is helpful for people with dementia. Making art stimulates the brain and improves cognitive abilities and memory.

Impact

As an Atlantic Fellow, Verónica's goal is to improve the lives of adults with dementia by creating community building art projects that will help them connect with people, live full creative lives, and gain a sense of accomplishment and dignity.

Motivation

Adults with developmental disabilities are at increased risk of early onset dementia. Yet there is not much research done on dementia in people with developmental disabilities and there are very few support systems they can rely on.

Education & Experience

Verónica Rojas received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from the San Francisco Art Institute where she specialized in Interdisciplinary Art. She later attended California College of the Arts where she received a Master of Fine Arts in Ceramics. After completing her master's degree, Verónica taught in several art programs in Northern California such as Art with Elders and Creative Growth Art Center. She is also an exhibiting artist and has shown her work internationally.

California College of the Arts

Ceramics

Master of Fine Arts

San Francisco Art Institute

Interdisciplinary Art

Bachelor of Fine Arts