Tony Ortega holds an MFA in drawing and painting from the University of Colorado and is currently a professor for Regis University. In 2018 he was the Regis College faculty lecture of the year. He was the recipient of the coveted Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts (1999) and the Mayor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts (1998). He has been a working artist for the past 39 years and professor for the past 19 years.
His teaching philosophy is based in classroom learning and application to the art world. He teaches his students the formal skills of drawing, printing and painting, which includes color theory, composition and the use of materials. He teaches his students that art is a visual tool for the communication of ideas. He hopes to generate excitement and curiosity in his students that will foster their interest in the art world and their individual development.
Tony Ortega’s lifelong goal is to contribute to a better understanding of cultural diversity by addressing the culture, history and experiences of Chicanos/Latinos through his art. His work can be found in the collections of the Denver Art Museum, the Los Angeles County Museum and the Blanton Museum of Art. He has exhibited extensively in the Southwestern United States, Latin America and other parts of the world. Tony’s artwork can be found in Denver, Colorado at the William Havu Gallery.
