Shana Cruz-Thompson is an experimental photographer and projection artist from Whittier, CA, now raising her family in Aurora, CO. For nearly three decades, photography has been her conduit to self-discovery and to the understanding of human nature's intricacies.
Often engaging with found footage and personal 8mm archives, her work probes memory, challenges nostalgia, and delves into themes of grief, trauma, and complex familial dynamics.
Shana holds a BFA in photography from the University of Colorado, Denver. She is the founder and director of Project Photo Op which seeks to empower at-risk youth, veterans, and child loss survivors through photography workshops, exhibitions, and mentorships. Shana is the creator and curator of Vigilante Darkroom Zine, serves on the board of Denver Digerati, and currently works in Cherry Creek School District as an elementary school art teacher.