Artist Bio:  Lisa Patencio was born in Fairbanks, Alaska and raised in Yakima, Washington. She is an enrolled member of the Native Village of Ruby.

Patencio returned to school at the age of 55, earning her Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology at California State University San Bernardino. After earning her Anthropology degree, Patencio began her studies at the Institute of American Indian Art and graduated Fall of 2024 earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Arts.

Artist Statement:  I am a visual artist working in wearable art and photography. My works are representations of my lived history. In the early 2000’s, I became a self-taught mixed media artist working on canvas, paper, and panel board. I used spray paint, acrylic paints, and oils pencils in my mixed media artworks. Currently, I am creating mixed media jewelry, including glass beads, wood beads, and metals. I expand the presentation of these works by incorporating these wearable artworks in my self-portrait photography.

At an early age, I was taught how to bead by my Athabascan mother. She told me the back of the beadwork must be as neat as the front. My beadwork shows imperfection. The appearance of beads perfectly place are not as important or as crucial to me as the overall meaning. The beadwork is about the statement it tells. The imperfections do not detract from my work or message. The essence of my work lies in the narrative.  My story is one of empowerment, social justice, and using my voice.