Kassandra L.

I Have Questions / Tengo Preguntas
Credit: Kassandra L.Artist Bio

Kassandra Leyva is a first-generation Mexican American artist from the suburbs of Chicago. She earned her BA in Pre-Art Therapy from Concordia University Chicago. Kassandra has worked across school, community, residential, and outpatient settings as an art therapy intern, primarily supporting bilingual Spanish-speaking children. Her work—both artistic and therapeutic—is grounded in curiosity and in creating spaces where individuals can speak their truth through creative expression. Through abstract forms, she seeks to intrigue the viewer and spark personal reflection, allowing meaning to emerge organically.

Artist Statement

My work centers on curiosity—its persistence, unpredictability, and its role in connection. In I Have Questions / Tengo Preguntas, an experimental black-and-white abstract painting, I explore the openness and uncertainty of questioning. The piece reflects my experience moving between languages, identities, and communities, particularly when supporting bilingual Spanish-speaking children and families. The abstract form invites viewers to pause, reflect, and bring their own questions into the space.

In Connecting Through Perspective / Conectando por Medio de Perspectiva, I return to my favorite medium of colored acrylics and abstract work to explore what happens after questions arise: dialogue, shared meaning-making, and the perspectives of others. This piece reflects how understanding and healing emerge through connection. By considering new viewpoints, I discover insights that inform both my art and my work as an art therapist, emphasizing the power of curiosity, conversation, and communal growth.