In 2020 Karla was awarded Best of Show at the South San Francisco Cultural Arts Commission Day of the Dead Art Exhibition for Ofrenda de Luz 2 an acrylic on canvas depicting a boy dressed in typical Mexican dress, with offering of a candle. Karla was born and raised in Hayward. She grew up learning to love and appreciate art in its many forms, initially through writing and dance, and later through drawing and painting. Once she began to delve into the world of painting, it became her passion. She studied Fine Arts at Chabot College, and has been actively creating artwork for the past 15 years. She has displayed her work at John O’Lague Galleria at Hayward City Hall, Sunset Gallery, Foothill Gallery, as well as Sun Gallery, HAHS, Snappy’s Cafe, Casa Peralta, Adobe Art Gallery, Fremont Art Association, and Sanchez Contemporary. Karla joined HAC in 2016. In addition to showing her artwork, Karla served as curator for the Foothill Gallery for two years. In 2019, she began curating HAC’s Hayward Public Library Gallery. Karla is a Library Assistant and has worked with the City of Hayward since 2003.