CV/Resume

My work explores the intersection of color, culture, and environment, often focusing on the relationship between self and place, cultural identity, societal influences, and how to break away. Art-based fieldwork, primary and secondary research, creative experimentation, and social theory are key parts of my creative process. I’m deeply invested and active in the arts community and founded The East Austin Writing Project, a writer-led literary arts organization that provides free and donation-based literary arts programming for writers and multidisciplinary artists. 

Artist & Research Residencies

  • Chulitna Lodge, Artist Residency (2025). Writing residency to write Willow Master. Conduct eco-conscious art-based fieldwork documenting Lake Clark National Park's environment, wildlife, and soundscapes, focusing on the impact of the Willow Pipeline. Lake Clark National Park, Alaska.

  • University of Texas, Austin, Errant Elements Fieldwork, Researcher and Artist (2022). Conducted a grant-funded three-day study of the natural and built environment using field recordings, charcoal rubbings, and written notes, resulting in a collaborative sound and language performance Through Lightwells and the forthcoming Cadmium - her figure, wild — blurred chapbook. Marfa, Texas

  • Pen + Brush Gallery, Teaching Artist Residency (2017-2018). Led ekphrastic writing workshops, collaborated on exhibitions, and shared work in literary readings, fostering gender equity in the arts. New York City, NY.

  • Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution, Researcher (2016). Invited by a curator, spent five days conducting primary research in the Smithsonian Institute’s art archives. Explored the works, writings, and notebooks of key color theory artists such as Josef Albers and Rudolph Schaeffer to deepen understanding of their theories and practices. Washington, DC.

Performances, Publications, & Exhibits

Performances

  • Ayala, Marissa (2024). Echoes at Grackle House Open-Air Studio in Austin, TX. Performance - literary art.

  • Ayala, Marissa (2024). Cloud by Cloud Tree at Cloud Tree Gallery in Austin, Texas. Performance - literary reading.

  • Ayala, Marissa (2022). Nobody Knows Us Here, and We Don’t Know Anyone at Vintage Books & Wine in Austin, TX.  Performance - literary reading. 

  • Ayala, Marissa and Brent J. Crosson (2020). Through Lightwells. New Media and Sound Summit by COTFG in Austin, TX. Performance - sound art, music & language.

  • Ayala, Marissa (2020). Virtual Reading hosted by Pen + Brush InPrint. Performance- online literary reading

  • Ayala, Marissa (2019). The Austin Poetry Brothel in Austin, TX. Performance - produced, directed, designed, and performed. The performance included original writing and a cast of poets, musicians, and dancers.

Publications

  • Ayala, Marissa (forthcoming, 2025). "Lake Clark" [Excerpt from The Willow Master: Field Notes on the Fractured Form]. Telephone 

  • Ayala, Marissa (forthcoming, 2025). Cadmium: Her figure, wild — blurred. Errant Elements Series ed. Marina Peterson, Gretchen Bakke, and Megan Gette. Design by Phillip Niemeyer. Publication - writing.

  • ​Ayala, Marissa (2020). "The Kiss of the Surrealist Mind," "Cow’s Skull: Red, White, & Blue," "The Arrangement," and "This Girl." Poets of Queens Anthology. Publication - writing.

  • Ayala, Marissa (2019). Open for Breathing. Fugue Journal. Publication - photography, collage, and literary art. 

  • Ayala, Marissa (2018). Hunts Point. Pen + Brush in Print, Vol. 2. Publication - mixed-media collage. 

Exhibits

  • Ayala, Marissa (forthcoming 2025). “Lake Clark" [Excerpt from The Willow Master: Field Notes on the Fractured Form]. TELEPHONE.

    • International exhibition that will publish more than 1,350 original, interconnected works by artists from more than 900 cities in 64 countries. 

    • Ekphrastic literary art - response to a textile art sculpture.

    • Exhibit: interactive digital and gallery-based exhibit that explores the concepts of ekphrasis and intersemiotic translation. The interactive exhibition will allow visitors to explore hundreds of unique threads created by artists of every art form.TELEPHONE, online + Seattle.

  • Ayala, Marissa (2016). Handwritten: A Place in Space for Pen + Paper - The Postcard Project.  Inside / Outside a map of self and place. Pen + Brush Gallery.

    • Digital multi-media online project. Handwritten.com (no longer online)

    • Exhibit: multi-media installation - field recordings,  projected visual art, mixed-media collage exhibit. Pen + Brush Gallery, New York, NY.

Media & Promo

  • Bold Journey, “Meet Marissa Ayala ” Interview w/ Marissa Anne Ayala, December 12, 2024.

  • Canvas Rebel, “Meet Marissa Ayala” Interview w/Marissa Anne Ayala, September 2024.

  • Poets & Writers, “The Many Different Types of Writing Groups” Interview w/Marissa Ayala, February/March 2022.

  • The Cut, “This All-Female Graffiti Show Explores the Politics of Street Art,” Featuring Marissa Ayala, July 20, 2017.

Literary Arts Work Experience


Founder and Teaching Artist -  East Austin Writing Project, Austin, TX 

2019 - Present (www.eastaustinwrites.org)

  • Built a community-based arts organization that grew from 10 people to 2k in four years. We currently have ~1k active writers and multidisciplinary artists programming and engaging with our free and donation-based programming.

  • Develop, coach, and manage a team of three volunteer teaching artists.

  • Organize and support four creative writing workshops a month 

  • Organize and teach one craft-intensive literary arts workshop per month

  • Organize and support a monthly book club 

  • Organize and curate literary readings and artist collaborations in Austin, TX.

  • Website designer and events coordinator.

  • Manage social media channels, create branding, and post social media marketing material for people to access and raise awareness of our events and art, advocacy events, and opportunities to publish.  

  • Establish and foster community partnerships:

    • Alienated Majesty Books (2024-present): Our monthly book club, Subculture Lit, focuses on underrepresented authors and small press publishers. I established this partnership because this bookstore sells a curated selection of small-press books and books by underrepresented writers. Additionally, this business offers free and affordable programming featuring live music, independent film showings, and literary reading series that focus on underrepresented writers. 

    • Grackle House Open Studios and Art Collective (2024-present): Collaborate with this East Austin artists' collective led and owned by local artist Carly Weaver. Our partnership involves collaborating on and creating events that bring together the visual, auditory, and literary arts.  

    • Cloud Tree Gallery (2024): Partnered with this East Austin art gallery on visual art, music, and literary reading as part of East Austin’s arts programming during SXSW. 

    • Dear Diary Coffee (2021-2024) partnered with Dear Diary to bring arts programming to their space to support a woman-owned small LGBTQ vegan business in East Austin.

    • Bones UK (2020): Partnered with Bones UK and their record label for an ACL private party for the LA-based band Bones UK. A select group of members from the East Austin Writing Project and performers in the Austin Poetry Brothel performed their literary works while in costume and character. This event took place at the home of Led Zeppelin band member Robert Plant in Austin, TX. 

Education

Hunter College, New York, NY

Master of Science, Special Education - Cognitive Psychology

The New School, New York, NY

Master of Fine Arts, Creative Writing

Naropa University, Boulder, CO

Bachelor of Arts, Writing and Literature