About
Biography -
Jalen Colton Sanchez (b. 1999) is an emerging dynamic mixed-media collage and sculpture artist from San Antonio, Texas. Drawn to creativity from a young age, he explored various artistic outlets before fully committing to his practice in 2023. Since then, he has exhibited work across Texas, led workshops, and earned recognition including 1st Place Undergraduate at the 2025 TASA Artovation Statewide Juried Exhibition and the Eloise Yantis Stroker Memorial Award Honors at the 2024 San Antonio Art League & Museum Collegiate Exhibition.
Jalen is currently pursuing a BFA in Studio Art with a concentration in sculpture at the University of North Texas, where he is expected to graduate in Spring 2027. In addition to his formal academic studies, he has pursued extensive artistic training through workshops and community art classes at institutions such as the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), the Southwest School of Art, and the San Antonio Art League and Museum.
Artist Statement -
Jalen Colton Sanchez is an emerging mixed media collage and sculpture artist whose work interweaves a wide array of materials and techniques. His practice explores the intersection of ornamentation and symmetry, resulting in dynamic compositions.
Drawing inspiration from Indigenous, African, Mexican folk, and ethnographic/tribal art, Jalen’s sculptural work intends to move beyond Eurocentric and Western art frameworks. His sculptures often resemble otherworldly, archaeological-like artifacts that pay homage to historically marginalized cultures while exploring their aesthetics, histories, and lineages through a contemporary lens.
Jalen approaches sculpture with deliberate planning, often beginning with sketches that guide the form and structure of the final piece. In contrast, his collage work is spontaneous and improvisational. This intuitive method mirrors the energy of jazz, free-flowing, rhythmic, and unpredictable. Many of his collages feature vibrant dancing figures and musicians, evoking the expressive freedom and communal spirit found in musical traditions.
At the core of Jalen’s artistic practice is a deep belief in divine inspiration and a relentless pursuit of his fullest human potential. For him, artmaking is an act of worship to God and his art is an offering meant to uplift, inspire, and bring joy to others.
Exhibitions -
2025 - The Third Coast Biennial National Juried Exhibition
Kspace Contemporary
Corpus Christi, Texas
2025 - New Texas Talent 32
Craighead Green Gallery
Dallas, Texas
2025 - College Expo 2025
500X Gallery
Irving, Texas
2025 - Long Haul Art and Music Fest
Steady Hands Artist Cooperative, Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studio
Denton, Texas
2025 - Artovation Student Show 2024 Exhibition 2025 (Awarded Undergrad 1st Place)
Texas Association of Schools of Art (TASA)
https://www.tasart.org/artovation-student-show-2025
2025 - Make It in Art: Professionalism in Studio Art Symposium
UNT Colab
Denton Texas
2025 - 1st Annual University Union Juried Exhibition
University Union
Denton, Texas
2025 - Cultural Threads - A Collection of Textile, Fiber and Paper Artists
Agarita
San Antonio, Texas
2025 - The 64th Annual Paul Voertman Student Juried Exhibition (Group Exhibition)
University of North Texas, Cora Stafford Gallery
Denton, Texas
2025 - University of North Texas, College of Visual Arts and Design (Work selected for display for NASAD Review)
University of North Texas, College of Visual Arts and Design
Denton, Texas
2024 - UTSA 2024 Community Art Program Student Exhibition (Group Exhibition) (Artwork Featured)
University of Texas at San Antonio, Russell Hill Rogers Galleries
San Antonio, Texas
2024 - NVC 2024 Juried Student Exhibition ( Group Exhibition) (3rd Place Award)
Northwest Vista College, Palmetto Center for the Arts Gallery
San Antonio, Texas
2024 - Artovation Student Show 2024 Exhibition (Online Group Exhibition)
Texas Association of Schools of Art (TASA)
https://www.tasart.org/artovation-student-show-2024
2024 - Northwest Vista College Glass Display Gallery
Northwest Vista College, Palmetto Center for the Arts Gallery
San Antonio, Texas
2024 - Collegiate Exhibition (Group Exhibition) (Eloise Yantis Stroker Memorial Award Honors) (Artwork Featured)
San Antonio Art League & Museum
San Antonio, Texas
2023 - Everybody Everybody Fundraiser Group Exhibition
Clamp Light Studios and Gallery
San Antonio, Texas
2023 - 2020 & Beyond Art Show (Group Exhibition)
Brick at Blue Star
San Antonio, Texas
2023 - IRIDESCENT (Group Exhibition)
Creative Eye
San Antonio, Texas
2023 - The Pancakes & Booze Art Show (Group Exhibition)
Brick at Blue Star
San Antonio, Texas
2023 - Artovation Student Show 2023 Exhibition (Online Group Exhibition)
Texas Association of Schools of Art (TASA)
https://www.tasart.org/artovation-student-show-2023
2023 - NVC Annual Student Juried Art Exhibition (Group Exhibition)
Northwest Vista College, Palmetto Center for the Arts Gallery
San Antonio, Texas
2021 - Empathy through Art & Writing Contest (2nd Place)
San Antonio College, Library Common Read
San Antonio, Texas
2011 - 37th Annual Paint to Music Contest of The San Antonio Symphony League (2nd Place)
The San Antonio Symphony League
San Antonio, Texas