BrassTuna 2025 Team Announcement
In 2025, BrassTuna welcomed its first official team members.
The team, organized by Adam Corona, BrassTuna Director, was assembled to help execute BrassTuna’s first photographic solo exhibition, slated for late 2025.
BrassTuna 2025 Project Description:
“This will be Adam Corona's first time setting out on a large-scale Documentary photographic project. Documenting the grounds they grew up on in South Phoenix, which are surrounded by Mexican culture, heritage, and family. Described by Corona, "I hope to return to the grounds that raised me . With this show , I hope to find the strength to return to self . Through this , I'll be given the power to forge a new life." The project will begin production in early 2025, with a full-scale photographic exhibition set for late 2025.”
(BrassTuna’s upcoming exhibition is underwritten by the Phoenix Artists To Work Grant.)
Meet The Team:
Adam Corona - BrassTuna Director
“When I started BrassTuna I was so focused on creating works that would appeal to an online audience. As time went on I found that my joy and pride came from works centered around my Mexican American identity. Thus creating a sort of rebirth for BrassTuna. I found that by shifting my artistic lens towards Mexican history and folklore, I slowly started breaking down these walls of shame I had built up inside of me over the course of my life. All these lessons learned and stories told have led me to this very moment, and I’m honored to have a team of extremely talented and hardworking individuals next to me on this journey!”
Olive Clay Mier Holland - Curator/Exhibition Manager
“Olive is a designer based in the Sonoran Desert, developing visual identities through graphic design and art direction for exhibitions, events, brands, and institutions. Olive holds a passion for crafting unique visual realms, intuitively encapsulating the essence of concepts or messages. A goal in her existence is to unearth and communicate love, humanity, activism, and alternative perspectives. Additionally, Olive is Co-Founder of Omnisimul, a faculty associate of design at ASU, and designs for multiple museums in Phoenix.”
( find more info about Olive at okieollie.com )
Karen Nazario Moranchel - Preparator
“Karen (kah-ren) Nazario Moranchel was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. She graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in printmaking from Arizona State University in 2021. Karen’s art practice is greatly influenced by their connection to family and friends. Their work reflects on experiences ranging from sentiments of fear, frustration, and grief to strength, care, and love.
Shortly after graduating, Nazario came across art handling work and began to practice in the field in 2022. They have been working at the Phoenix Art Museum for the past two years, where they are currently one of five preparators. Karen has worked directly with artists such as Amalia Mesa-Baines, Larry Bell, and Charles Gaines. Art handling is technical, but it is also a craft where one works directly with art and cultural objects.
A daughter, a sister, a tía, a doodler, a preparator – these all play crucial roles in shaping the person kah-ren is today.”
(Find more info on Karen at @kurr3n )
Amy Vasquez - Curator/Developmental Writer
“My name is Amy Vasquez (23) and I am eager to work with this talented group of people! Although I come from a science background, I have always had an admiration for the arts and those who let their creativity run free. In the past, I have enjoyed modeling for BrassTuna and supporting their vision of community building. In my free time, I love learning more about the mediums of art by visiting different exhibitions and trying some techniques myself with the help of BrassTuna. I am devoted to help bring this project to life and share BrassTuna's fuel to inspire all communities.”
Amanda Corona - Curator/Developmental Writer
“My name is Amanda Corona, and I am a dedicated advocate for the arts with a long-standing passion for creative expression. I currently serve as a high school English teacher in the valley, a representative for the Certified Teachers Association in Phoenix, and a committee member for Phoenix Sister Cities, Himeji, Japan. Additionally, I have also provided support for Brasstuna in the past. With a lifelong love for the arts, I’ve pursued singing and acting classes throughout my young adult years. I am excited to contribute to this project, having always recognized Brasstuna’s creative genius, even as children, when we would craft miniature restaurants and food from paper and crafts . My commitment to the arts and education reflects my belief in the power of creativity to enrich and inspire, particularly low-income, and Black and Brown communities.”
Jorge Emiliano Rodriguez - Project Manager
“Hi, I’m Emiliano but everyone calls me Nano (like the iPod). I am a Phoenix based creative with experience in event production and experience curation. Having roots in the entertainment industry, connecting community through event experiences and artist activation is always the biggest reward of doing what I do. Producing music and playing records for people on the weekends are what I’m most passionate about. Coupled with sound design and wiring film score, music and audio are the foundations of my artistic endeavors. Music festivals, traveling with my partner, and family are what take up most of my time.”
(BrassTuna’s upcoming exhibition is underwritten by the Phoenix Artists To Work Grant.)