League at Large: Guada Angela Cruz, Kayla James, Milagros Villanueva

This ongoing partnership between Nordstrom and League at Large features works by League artists Guada Cruz, Kayla James, and Milagros Villanueva. League at Large is a program that showcases the work of League artists in public venues outside of the League in order to increase exposure to and appreciation of their work.

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Born and raised in the Philippines, Guada Cruz's passion for Fine Art took flight during a transformative trip to New York. Despite lacking experience, she boldly submitted her portfolio to the National Academy and secured acceptance. At the Art Students League, Cruz absorbed technical and philosophical nuances through instruction and osmosis. Guided by the belief that sensitivity to nature requires falling in love with it, she seeks beauty in the ordinary. Cruz contends that honesty in interpreting one's muse yields their finest work. Inspired by overlooked pleasures, her art infuses more meaning into life. Maintaining humility, integrity, and honesty, Cruz represents nature through her tools: canvas, paint, and brush.

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Kayla James is a Jamaican American illustrator, writer, and oil painter. She graduated from Art and Design High School, Parsons Pre-College Program, and the Fashion Institute of Technology (Summa Cum Laude) with a BFA in Illustration and double minors in Art History and English. She has also studied at the Art Students League under artists such as Garin Baker, and Max Ginsburg. James often likes to combine her love for writing and illustration by working on projects with narrative such as children’s/YA books & book covers, poster illustration, storyboards, or small animations. She also enjoys painting from live models and incorporating vivid colors and painterly brushstrokes. Website: kaylajamesart.com

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Milagros Villanueva started her artistic journey as an international student at the Art Students League, infusing the vibrant energy of New York City with her background in Fashion and Textile design. Under the initial guidance of Sharon Sprung, Villanueva's artistic exploration took a turn into the realm of mixed media and collage, where she found inspiration and mentorship from esteemed teachers like Boyce Cummings, Peter Bonner, and Frank O'Cain. Coming from a small town in Argentina enriched with the essence of its idiosyncrasy, Villanueva brings a nostalgic perspective to her art, channeling a profound connection to people and culture. Using mediums such as fabric, photography, and found objects, she aims to capture the inherent beauty of domestic scenes within architectural spaces. Website: milivillanueva.myportfolio.com/