Ri Chavez (r-ee)

Hi, I’m Ri! I pronounce it Ree, but let me introduce myself.

I have always gravitated towards art and design, even at a tender age. This impulse intensified during my teens, leading me to study painting and illustration through the Austin Museum of Art, Laguna Gloria, now The Contemporary Austin. My other interests included hospitality and travel, as I began an Associates degree at Austin Community College's Hospitality Management program, and worked for Fara Café at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport as a barista.

Following that, I completed a double-major (double minor) at the University of Texas San Antonio, with bachelors degrees in Art History focusing on Contemporary Art; and in Fine Arts - New Medias including Graphic and Digital Illustration. While studying, I completed internships at Artpace, the Blue Star Contemporary Art Center, and the now defunct Smithsonian Affiliate - Museo Alameda.  I then took my accumulated knowledge of to the hospitality industry, working for boutique hotel management team Bunkhouse Group at the Hotel Havana. After two and a half years, I had the confidence I needed to relocate to the epicenter of art and design, New York City.

There I worked with Staten Island Arts, Staten Island's local arts council, as a Design Lead for a collection of NYC restaurants, and with Brooklyn-based luxury toy merchandisers Norman & Jules. I returned to Austin with my experience of NYC and SA, completely intrigued and invigorated by art and design. I’d return to work for Bunkhouse Group again at the Austin Motel, and then the Hotel San Jose. I’m currently studying Interior Design and AutoDesk Computer Aided Design drafting through Austin Community College Interior design program, and worked as a Creative Design Consultant at Wildflower Organics.

I’m always available for consultations - big or small. Please feel free to reach out!