Participants of the Wellness Congress of the Wellness Fest – Vilcabamba 2025

Mental and Emotional Wellbeing

Workshop

Drawing and Identity

Participants will create a self-portrait using natural pigments while discussing topics related to positive identity development, empowerment, leadership, and our relationship with Mother Earth.

Byron Tenesaca Guaman (Kañari Kichwa) is a bilingual cultural arts educator who has been teaching art for 7 years in kindergarten through 12th grade in the United States. He holds a Master's degree in Integral Education with a concentration in Visual Arts from Western Carolina University. As an educator, Byron weaves together his identities as a visual artist, basket maker, immigrant, storyteller, and father to create spaces for creativity, curiosity, reflection, healing, and empowerment in youth. He is passionate about using art and creativity as tools to amplify indigenous voices and find solutions to current issues facing communities. Byron recently returned to his community in the Andes to work on youth documentation and empowerment projects in arts and crafts.

My passion for art and education has led me to serve in various leadership positions at The Asheville Art Museum, UNCA, Tryon Arts & Crafts School, Diamante Arts & Cultural Center, Buncombe County Schools, and El Centro Hispano. As a certified K-12 art instructor, I hold a MAT in Comprehensive Education from Western Carolina University (WCU). I was an artist-in-residence at The Bascom in Highlands, NC for two years and was one of 50 artists selected to be part of the inaugural exhibition Appalachia Now! An Interdisciplinary Survey of Contemporary Art in Southern Appalachia.

Through ayni (our reciprocal ways of living with the mountain), weaving, storytelling, sincerity, solidarity and humility, I seek to unite the people of Abya Yala and Isla Tortuga for an international minka (community work) of healing, protection, empowerment and prosperity of our indigenous communities and nations.”