Born and raised in the barrios of Los Angeles, Andrés Arteaga informally practiced art, dance and writing as a means to dream, hope and survive. He studied English Literature and French at Seattle University ('12) before moving back to Los Angeles to become a Jesuit.

During his time in the Society of Jesus, Andrés pursued his artistic passions, noting a correlation between human flourishment, social justice, spirituality, and the arts. Andrés primarily worked with Latino and migrant communities in the U.S. and in Mexico as a commissioned painter, arts instructor, and ESL teacher.

Upon leaving the Jesuits, Andrés became a Spanish and Religion arts educator at Villa Academy and is currently assuming the role of Director of Equity Education and Inclusion. He joins the MFA program with a desire to learn and grow as an artist and administrator. He is certain that the program will offer him the necessary tools to one day effectively serve the Latino and the LGBTQ+ Latino community via the arts.