Connections, Art, and Mentorship

For hazel batrezchavez ’17, mentorship is more than just guidance — it’s about building bridges between generations, especially for students embarking on creative and professional journeys in art. Since graduating with a degree in Anthropology and Studio Art, batrezchavez has dedicated time to mentoring Grinnell students, offering insights into the art world and supporting their aspirations — just as alumni did for them when they were a student.

Growing up in North Hollywood, California, with roots in El Salvador and Mexico, batrezchavez’s journey as a first-generation college student was both challenging and rewarding. Now an artist, educator, and community organizer, they recall the formative interactions they had with alumni during their time at Grinnell. “I interacted with a few alumni who were more established artists during my time at Grinnell, and I found that helpful in providing insight into the field,” they said. “Especially as a first-generation college student, it was challenging to imagine leading my life as an artist, and speaking with alumni about the various routes you could take provided me with confidence that there is no blueprint for how to be an artist.”

batrezchavez has come full circle, now offering similar support to current students. Through Grinnell's alumni network, art majors and students interested in graduate art programs reach out for advice and mentorship, often about navigating applications and discovering diverse career paths in the arts. In 2020, batrezchavez also joined professor Jeremy Chen’s Advanced Studio Contemporary Practices class virtually, where they shared their art practice and experiences after Grinnell.

Reflecting on these interactions, batrezchavez sees the unique value in alumni connections: “Mentorship and providing opportunities for students to seek advice from individuals in their respective fields of interest build intergenerational bonds. That kind of work is essential in learning how to navigate post-graduation.”

In addition to their professional insights, batrezchavez emphasizes the personal growth that can come from these connections, noting that alumni often serve as relatable examples. “It’s almost like having an older sibling who can help guide you in not making the same mistakes they did,” batrezchavez explains, adding that as generations change, alumni can also learn from students about shifting perspectives, especially around work-life balance.

On Nov. 14, batrezchavez will present the Scholars Convocation titled “Enacting Radical Futures: Art as a Tool for Building Collective Power.” Their lecture will explore how art can be utilized as a tool to build community and collective power and will expand on the collaborations in their artistic practice and community organizing with the fronteristxs, a collective of artists and writers fighting for migrant justice and the abolition of the prison industrial complex across the Southwest region. 

For more on hazel batrezchavez’s work, visit hazelbatrezchavez.info or learn about their collective at Fronteristxs.