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Vicky Faye Aquino considers herself as a self-taught artist, who who continues to find balance in her passion for the arts and her professional career. Her love for art began when her mom gave her a box of oil pastels on her 9th birthday and used them to win her first art contest; that first taste of success opened the door for her to the world of art. Growing up in Manila, Philippines, she thought that she would become a lawyer like her parents, since going to art school was not an option, but she decided to take a different path.

 

She graduated with a double bachelor’s degree in BA Psychology and BS Business Management from De La Salle University and worked as an analyst for an international bank. Despite missing the chance to go to art school, moving to Philadelphia became her reason to give art a second chance. Through art workshops and exploration of various painting techniques, she was able to host several solo and group exhibitions in Philadelphia, New York, and Manila. Her dream came true when she applied for art school and received a merit scholarship from The University of the Arts, where she graduated with a Master of Arts in Art Education with concentration in Art Therapy. She also received an Elizabeth C. Roberts Prize for her Master’s thesis: “The Effects of Doodling on the Academic and Artistic Learning of K-12 Students” and was recognized for her contributions to the field of Art Education.

 

She worked in Development and Human Resources for many years at the Philadelphia Museum of Art before transitioning to Higher Education. Currently, she is the Associate Director of the Pan-Asian American Community House (PAACH) at the University of Pennsylvania, as well as as a Lecturer in Filipino Language and Culture at the Penn Language Center.

 

She also worked for several non-profit organizations such as Public Citizens for Children and Youth (PCCY), International Sculpture Center, Philadelphia Shakespeare Theatre, and SEAMAAC. As for her volunteer work, she serves in the Advisory Board of the Asian American Women’s Coalition (AAWC), where was also elected as a Board Member and chair of the Scholar Development Committee for many years. She is active in community work and volunteers her time with the Philippine Folks Arts Society, Inc. (PFASI), Asian Arts Initiative (AAI),  and National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP).

 

Aside from being an artist, nonprofit leader, and an educator, Vicky is also an avid traveler, photographer, and a loving wife + mom.

 

Artist Statement

 

My 3 P’s when it comes to art are all about Passion, Profession, and Purpose. I believe that
artists create identities for different cultures, and art is a universal language that speaks to
people. Every piece of art I make is part of a learning experience. I continue to learn and
discover new ways to express my style by using different forms of media. I started drawing and
painting using oil pastels, acrylic, and watercolor, and now I am exploring mixed media and
sculpture using various raw materials. I want my works to reflect a harmonious contradiction and
a colorful juxtaposition of images. Using a combination of control and freehand techniques, my
works portray the best of both worlds: the clarity of vividness and the mystery of vagueness.
Through my works, I hope to inspire others to follow their hearts and never give up on their
dreams.

 

Exhibitions

Solo Exhibitions

 

• Bloom, South Tower Art Studio, Park Towne Place, Philadelphia, PA, August 17 - September 8, 2017

• WholeheARTed, Twenty-Two Gallery, Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA, August 3 - 7, 2015

• The Sameness of Difference, Philippine Consulate General, New York, NY, July 29 - August 9, 2013

• Tile Travel, Art Hall, The Enterprise Center, Makati City, Philippines, July 2-13, 2012

• Intuitive Nature, Metropolitan Museum of Manila, Philippines, December 17, 2011 - February 1, 2012

• More Than Just Colors,  Asian Arts Initiative, Philadelphia, PA, August 4, 2011

 

Group Exhibitions

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• Chinatown: One of the Most Endangered Places, Photography Exhibition, Crane Community Center, October 20-22, 2023

• PMA Staff Art Show, Philadelphia Museum of Art, May 2019

• Mayor's Commission on Asian American Affairs Heritage Exhibit, Philadelphia City Hall, May 2 - June 1, 2018

• Art of the Flower, Philadelphia Sketch Club, Philadelphia, PA, March 4-30, 2018

• Reflection, Abington Art Center, Abington, PA, November 17, 2017 - January 11, 2018

• Art Unleashed, The University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA, April 2015, 2016, and 2017

• Visual Perspective: Art Explorations by Lasallian Educators, The Museum, De La Salle University, Manila, Philippines, January - May 2012

• Versatility, 924 Cherry Street, Philadelphia, PA, USA, December 21, 2012