Nicolás González-Medina
Oakland, California
Nicolás González-Medina’s Residency for Flor and the Gift of the Blue Eagle | 2025 Paseo Project Artist in Residence
The Paseo Project is honored to support Nicolás González-Medina as a 2025 Visiting Artist-in-Residence in Taos. Over the course of two weeks in July, González-Medina will lead the creation of original backdrops and scenic elements for the theatrical production “Flor and the Gift of the Blue Eagle,” a play by Chicana activist and writer Enriqueta Vásquez. His residency will focus on developing a visual language that reflects the cultural depth, historical symbolism, and emotional resonance of the play’s themes—bringing the world of the production to life through hand-painted scenography, layered textures, and dynamic stage imagery.
About the Production
“Flor and the Gift of the Blue Eagle” explores human relationships, colonial histories, and the tension between greed and cultural identity through a deeply personal lens. The narrative unfolds around baby Flor’s baptism, where family ties are tested and generations clash over heritage, spirituality, and exploitation. Rooted in Chican@ culture, the production draws from historical allegories, particularly the complex relationship between Malinalli (Malinche) and Hernán Cortés—a dynamic that continues to echo through contemporary struggles over land, power, and identity.
The production is a collaboration between Enriqueta Vásquez, Grupo Sangre de Cristo, and the Taos Center for the Arts (TCA), with González-Medina as the lead visual artist, responsible for crafting a vibrant, immersive stage design that honors the play’s rich symbolism and setting.
Residency Focus: The Art of Storytelling Through Scenography
During his residency, González-Medina will design and paint a series of large-scale backdrops and set elements, transforming the stage into a visually poetic reflection of the play’s themes.
Community Engagement & Workshops
As part of his residency, González-Medina will open his creative process to the community, hosting interactive workshops and discussions that invite local artists, students, and theater enthusiasts to explore the intersection of visual art, theater, and cultural storytelling.
Planned activities include: Block printing Workshop – printmaking @ Las Pistoleras July 13th 2025, with artist talk
Two weekends of of TCA performances “Flor and the Gift of the Blue Eagle”:
July 10, 11, 12 &
July 17, 18, 19
Learn more at: https://tcataos.org/calendar/
Nicolás González-Medina
(b. 1986, Guanajuato, Mexico)
Nicolás González-Medina is a printmaker and visual artist known for his large-scale woodblock prints, which center Indigenous representation, immigration, and political activism. His work, deeply rooted in social justice movements, features bold imagery and direct statements that challenge oppressive narratives and amplify the voices of undocumented immigrants.
Originally from Guanajuato, Mexico, González-Medina relocated to Oakland, California in 2013, where he became an active contributor to the Bay Area’s vibrant political art scene. His prints and murals have been showcased in exhibitions, workshops, and live-printing events across the country, from San Francisco and Chicago to Taos, NM. His work is also held in prominent collections, including The Bancroft Library at UC Berkeley and Las Pistoleras Instituto Cultural de Arte in Taos.
A dedicated educator and community artist, González-Medina has led printmaking workshops for institutions such as San Jose State University, the University of San Francisco, and United Farm Workers, using art as a tool for resistance and empowerment. His work has been featured in publications such as Illegalized (Arizona Press, 2024) and Undocumented and Unafraid (Inquirer.com, 2019).
Through his prints, murals, and public engagement, González-Medina continues to push the boundaries of contemporary political art, advocating for migrant rights, Indigenous sovereignty, and radical storytelling.
