Meet the Artist Mentors Who Support the Department of Art
Every year, the UCLA School of the Arts and Architecture (UCLA Arts) welcomes more than 250 new students. Their academic journeys are supported not only by faculty but also by dedicated staff, many of whom are UCLA alumni and practicing artists—continuing the university’s long tradition of professional artists nurturing emerging talent. These staff members are essential to our community, bringing the curriculum to life and helping students transform their boldest ideas into reality.
Across all four degree-granting departments—Architecture and Urban Design, Art, Design Media Arts, and World Arts and Cultures/Dance—staff provide the foundation that enables students and faculty to push artistic boundaries. They are experts in their fields—managing theaters, maintaining studios and shops, guiding students through technology and production, ensuring programs run seamlessly, and fostering inclusive environments where skills and creativity develop together. Their knowledge and care create the environment in which students can take risks and realize their creative visions.
“Our staff work tirelessly to support our faculty, students, and each other,” said Interim Dean Lionel Popkin. “They consistently exceed the bounds of their individual roles to take care of our community. I am immensely grateful for their commitment and dedication.”
Throughout this academic year, we will highlight their impact through a series of stories, honoring the staff whose dedication fuels the collaborative spirit that defines UCLA Arts and empowers the next generation of artists, architects designers, performers, and scholars.
In the Department of Art, six supervisors—all of whom are artists—mentor students from their first year through to commencement: Andrea Hidalgo, Ben Evans, Kyle Tata, Owen Kydd, Shoshi Watanabe, and Valerie Green. Together, they foster inclusive environments where students learn core skills in their respective areas, while also engaging in experimentation and exploration. They preserve institutional memory and provide continuity across students’ academic journeys, playing a vital role in building student confidence. Over time, these six supervisors come to know students deeply and are integral to the UCLA Arts experience.
Meet the Artist Mentors Who Support the Department of Art
Andrea Hidalgo
Sculpture Lab Supervisor
(Sarah M. Golonka / UCLA Arts)
Sculptor Andrea Hidalgo keeps the Sculpture Lab running smoothly, ensures safety, and supports students from their very first projects through their final quarter at UCLA Arts. As both an artist and educator, Andrea fosters a supportive and collaborative shop environment that empowers students to take risks and grow into the artists they aspire to be.
Part instructor, part mentor, and part “shop mother,” they/she helps students learn technical skills, including wood- and metalworking, mold-making and casting, and even some digital fabrication, to name a few. With Andrea for support, students gain confidence with equipment so that they can focus on amplifying their creative voices.
“When I first meet students, most of them have never used these tools or equipment before, and a lot of them are nervous about it,” Andrea said. “But I’ve learned how to support and instruct them, and it’s amazing to see them go from ‘I don’t know how to do this’ to, within a few days or weeks, they’ve made a sculpture they’re proud of.”
Ben Evans ‘97
Painting and Drawing Lab Supervisor / New Wight Gallery Coordinator
(Sarah M. Golonka / UCLA Arts)
Ben Evans ’97, the son of a sculptor and a sculptor himself, oversees New Wight Gallery installations as well as the painting and drawing studios. He helps students bring their creative visions to life by advising on everything from fabrication methods and painting materials to installation logistics and safety requirements. Working closely with both undergraduate and graduate students, he often troubleshoots ambitious projects that stretch beyond traditional formats—sharing his hands-on expertise while fostering a culture of confidence and resilience.
“When students share their struggles, I approach it like coaching—giving them confidence and direction so they can take off,” Ben said. “Watching undergraduates flourish is amazing. When they get excited, that positive energy spreads to graduate students and faculty. It’s really about culture-building each year and carrying that energy forward.”
Ben’s work supports faculty as well, ensuring they can focus on teaching and research, while he maintains the department’s culture of creativity and collaboration year after year.
Kyle Tata M.F.A. ‘22
Digital Lab Supervisor / Interdisciplinary Studio Lab Supervisor
(Lucza Brewer / UCLA Arts)
Artist and photographer Kyle Tata M.F.A. ‘22 oversees the UCLA Arts’ Digital Lab—keeping computers, printers, and software up to date—while also mentoring students in photography, video, and more. As for the school’s Interdisciplinary Studio, where the focus is not on medium but on method, students work across artistic practices and academic disciplines to create site- and debate-specific projects. These projects shift every quarter. Recently, students organized a participatory art party and turned to Kyle for guidance on incorporating audio. He demonstrated how to arrange microphones and use audio editing software.
“The thing I enjoy most is talking to students about their artwork, not just as students, but as fellow artists,” Kyle said. “It’s rewarding to collaborate with someone and help them make something that only exists in their mind into a physical reality. What’s most rewarding is watching students become more confident, not just in their art, but in who they are as people.”
Whether teaching Photoshop, advising on installations, or helping a class turn an art concept into an interactive event, Kyle bridges the gap between technical know-how and artistic vision. As an artist, Kyle has a solo exhibition, Room Tone, opening at The Fulcrum Press in Los Angeles on Saturday, Oct. 11.
Owen Kydd M.F.A. ‘12
New Genres Lab Supervisor
(Lucza Brewer / UCLA Arts)
Artist Owen Kydd M.F.A. ‘12 helps students turn experimental ideas into finished works of art. Often the first point of contact for problem-solving, he guides them through everything from sourcing equipment and setting up installations to exploring old and new technologies like 16mm film and AI. In collaboration with faculty and fellow supervisors, Owen cultivates an inclusive studio environment where students can take risks, learn through trial and error, and grow as artists—offering guidance, building confidence, and providing a safe space for feedback outside of grading.
“What’s rewarding about my work runs the gamut from mentoring and building friendships to being part of this creative community,” Owen said. “It also helps me with my own work to be in constant dialogue with students and faculty. Ideas are always being shared, and it keeps me sharp in terms of contemporary practices and theory.”
As an artist, he has recently exhibited at the Art Gallery of Ontario, the Montreal Museum of Fine Art, and the International Center of Photography in New York.
Shoshi Watanabe M.F.A. ‘14
Ceramics Lab Supervisor
(Lucza Brewer / UCLA Arts)
As Ceramics Lab Supervisor, ceramicist Shoshi Watanabe M.F.A. ‘14 manages kiln firings, maintains equipment and materials, and supports both faculty and students in their work. A dedicated mentor, he helps students refine techniques, manage ambitious projects, and translate creative ideas into tangible works. His role bridges technical expertise with teaching, often providing instruction and advice beyond the classroom, while also coordinating closely with faculty.
“Working with students is inspiring for me,” Shoshi said. “They bring so many ideas, and I’m glad I can contribute my knowledge and experience to help students realize those ideas. The more I see them, the better I understand their style and preferences, which helps me guide them more effectively.”
Shoshi, together with Michael Dopp M.F.A. ’09 and Yosei Shibata, co-operates Zakka Bakka, an experimental retail space off Hollywood Boulevard in Thai Town. Part gallery, part workshop, and part stage, the venue hosts events featuring musicians, chefs, vintners, florists, and more.
Valerie Green ‘06
Photography Lab Supervisor
(Lucza Brewer / UCLA Arts)
As photography lab supervisor, artist and photographer Valerie Green ‘06 keeps the area’s facilities—darkroom, digital lab, studio, and equipment—running smoothly while mentoring students at every stage of their education. She brings deep historical knowledge of the program and a consistent presence that students rely on. She not only teaches technical skills and maintains equipment, but also guides students through critiques, exhibitions, and even career opportunities.
“I’m teaching all the time, but not in a classroom setting,” Valerie said. “I love seeing students grow and develop as artists. I get to teach them both life skills and art skills, give them job opportunities, and watch them succeed. I also work closely with faculty and lecturers, supporting them in using the space and equipment. I joke that I’m the ‘photo counselor.’”
As an artist, Valerie’s work has been exhibited in solo and group exhibitions nationally—most recently Step & Repeat at Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery (LAMAG) as well as two PST ART: Art & Science Collide exhibitions: Digital Witness: Revolutions in Design, Photography, and Film at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) and Digital Capture: Southern California and the Pixel-Based Image World at the California Museum of Photography.
Header image: From left to right, Andrea Hidalgo, Ben Evans, Shoshi Watanabe, Valerie Green, Kylie Tata, and Owen Kydd. (Lucza Brewer / UCLA Arts)
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