Jake Prendez

A strong advocate for community empowerment and the power of positive reinforcement, Jake grew up being told he didn't matter. As a youth, he was placed in special education classes due to undiagnosed dyslexia. He became involved in gang culture as early as middle school. Thanks to positive role models later in life he began to turn things around and became heavily involved in Chicano activism and later the LA Chicano art scene. Jake Prendez is a celebrated Chicano artist and co-owner of the Nepantla Cultural Arts Gallery, who has dedicated his life to creating powerful and evocative art that speaks to the heart of Chicano culture. His work is a testament to his unwavering commitment to social justice and his unique ability to blend satire with profound meaning. Drawing from his own life experiences, His vibrant creations are an intricate fusion of his Seattle and Los Angeles roots, capturing the essence of love, heartbreak, oppression, resilience, laughter, and tears. Each piece of art is a raw, unfiltered expression of the human experience, masterfully transformed and poured out onto the canvas. ​ He holds a BA in American Ethnic Studies from the University of Washington and an MA in Chicana/o Studies from California State University, Northridge.