Michael DeMeng

Michael de Meng is an assemblage artist whose work is heavily influenced by Latin American art forms such as retablos, ex votos, and milagros. Born in Southern California, he now works and resides in Missoula, Montana. As an artist he has participated numerous exhibits that promote awareness of such issues as AIDS, breast cancer, environmental and other social issues. De Meng is co-founder of Missoula’s Festival of the Dead, an annual event based on the Latin Dia de los Muertos designed to celebrate life, death and the arts, through education, performance, and visual arts. As an educator, he offers a variety of mixed media workshops throughout the country and over the years has actively involved with VSA Montana. Through these activities, as well as his artwork, de Meng fosters community awareness, and offers creative methods to explore the human experience. Website: www.michaeldemeng.com