Access, care, and community are at the center of second-year MFA student Chave Pichardo’s practice. For Chave, art and art spaces should be places where people experience care—something that can feel like a rare commodity in present times.
Growing up in Southern California, Chave’s way into art was not through museums, but through music and community-built spaces. This is what drew them to the world of zines, a medium defined by a communal mindset rooted in sharing art and knowledge. Chave published their first zine, Noodle times (2014), as a student at MiraCosta College before transferring to California State University, Fullerton, where they received their BFA in Creative Photography and Experimental Media (2019). Since then, they have participated in over 10 zine festivals—experiences that further cultivated their community-centered practice and ultimately brought them to Seattle to pursue an MFA in the New Genres program at the University of Washington.
Now, Chave is organizing their second Print Copy Paste zine fest at the Jacob Lawrence Gallery. Taking place on April 24, 2026, the second annual event will bring together handmade zines and other printed materials from local makers. Chave will also facilitate a zine-making workshop on April 23.
After more than ten years as a participant, it’s exciting to be on the organizer side and be able to offer these opportunities to students
The zine fest is one of many programs and exhibitions they have worked on as the Engagement Curatorial Assistant, a role they have held throughout their two years in the MFA program. Other programs include the Liberation Book Club and the Jacob Lawrence Legacy Residency. "After more than ten years as a participant, it’s exciting to be on the organizer side and be able to offer these opportunities to students” Chave says, reflecting on their work with the gallery.
Working at the Jacob Lawrence Gallery—whose mission is to be a space devoted to education, social justice, and experimentation—has been a natural fit for Chave. “It’s been really fun working in the gallery” Chave says, “I have gotten the opportunity to learn more about Black liberatory practices and combine it with my own experiences to create community-centered programs”. Chave describes their role as an extension of their studio—a catalyst for engaging in a social practice that prioritizes accessibility, helping shape a space where people from all walks of life feel welcomed and seen. Work that is carried out with the same sensibilities that are felt in their zines and intimate participatory installations.
Chave hopes the gallery receives support to sustain programming that feels critical in this moment, and to remain a space that centers and embodies community. This commitment to care and accessibility is shared by the gallery’s Director and Curator, Jordan Jones, who has led programming with a new approach to student curatorial roles, giving students a more active hand in shaping exhibitions and events. “From leading tours and workshops to hosting artists and daily visitors alike, Chave has really worked to center making space for connection and community at the gallery,” Jones shares. “They have had a hand in details as seemingly small as what our catering looks like and where to put seating in the gallery, to as big as helping to craft our first accessibility guide and being a thought partner on the arc of this year’s Liberation Book Club curriculum.”
Education and knowledge sharing are also central to Chave’s practice. This may explain why they were selected by art faculty as the recipient of the 2026 de Cillia Teaching with Excellence Award, given annually during the Graduation Celebration in June to a graduate student who demonstrates outstanding achievement in teaching. While teaching is on the horizon, Chave’s experience at the gallery has also provided clarity about the future of their practice—they are committed to continuing to create spaces of care through both their artwork and community-based programs. “I am going to be sad to see them graduate, but am equally excited to see what programming, events, and spaces they will go on to shape.” says Jones.
Chave will graduate this spring and will present their work at the Henry Art Gallery as part of the MFA + MDes Thesis Exhibition, on view May 15 – June 16, 2026. Join us for the public reception on June 5 from 6:00–8:00pm.