MEET OUR TEAM
Monica Galvan
Executive Director / Founder of Arte del Corazón
Monica Galvan is an artist and community leader in Watsonville, California with over 15 years of experience in the arts. As a painter and sculptor Monica has received coveted grants, certificates and scholarships, as well as a Masters in Fine Arts. With over 7 years of experience as a teaching artist and art administrator, Monica currently spends her time as the Director and Founder of Arte del Corazón. To learn more about Monica and her accomplishments you can follow her website at
Jessica Carrasco
Creative Youth Development Lead
Jessica Carrasco was proudly raised in Watsonville, California. She is an educator in the Pajaro Valley, who has previously taught World History, U.S. History, Ethnic Studies- U.S. History and Social Justice at Watsonville High School. Jessica is a working artist and founder of Carrasco Concepts, a brand that sells visual art and uses part of the funding to support student scholarships in Watsonville. She is currently Secretary of the Pajaro Valley Arts Gallery Board and has formally served as a Parks and Recreation Commissioner for the City of Watsonville. In her free time, Jessica enjoys spending time with her family, her daughter, reading, creating and playing soccer.
Marisa Marquez
Communications Lead / ADC Studios & Co-Work Space Manager
Marisa Marquez was born and raised in Watsonville, California. Her experiences as the daughter of activists led her to pursue a career in helping reduce barriers of accessibility within the art sector. A strong passion for adventure led her to Canada, where she completed a degree in Arts and Cultural Management. During her time there, she helped establish Coral Plaza Art Society, a collective of artists with a mandate to represent and promote emerging LGBTQ2+, BIPOC, and marginalized artists. Now working with Arte del Corazon, she’s excited to bring her experience to the growing art scene in Watsonville.