Art has always been a major part of Georgina Treviño’s life. Born in San Diego, California, and raised in Tijuana, Mexico, Treviño has used her talents as a jewelry maker to tell an authentic story about herself as a contemporary Latina maker. She does this by showing how higher education provides a journey and unlocks endless possibilities to elevate your true creative passion.
In a partnership between Remezcla and Cheetos’ Deja tu Huella program, talented Latines like Treviño are being celebrated through Culture Credits, an editorial series that amplifies established voices of Latine creators and across diverse industries like music, fashion, and art. Culture Credits will spotlight three Latines artists who have inspired others to leave their own mark on the world through their creativity.
As an artist, Treviño started her college career as a painting major. While in the painting department, she learned that her school also had a jewelry making program. Jewelry was something she had experimented with in the past, but she didn’t initially think of it as an option to make a living.
“But then, I decided to jump into the metal program and start making jewelry,” Treviño, 33, said. “I was very intrigued with the process and wanted to challenge myself to learn more techniques.”
Treviño earned her bachelor’s in applied design with an emphasis in jewelry and metalsmithing from San Diego State University. Over the years, her work has been part of several national and international exhibitions, which incorporate her eclectic and unconventional jewelry making talent.
“Everything I do, regardless of the medium, always has a jewelry language to it,” Treviño said.
Today, Treviño feels free as an artist. She doesn’t feel constrained on any of the projects she is working on or any of the materials she is experimenting within her work. She doesn’t allow the traditional ideas people have about jewelry to define who she is as an artist.
“I feel like anything can be jewelry,” she said. “Anything could be converted into jewelry – even trash or a pencil.”
It’s evident when looking at the jewelry that Treviño features on her social media platforms that she’s playing by her own rules. One bracelet online is adorned with colorful and random keys used as charms. Some of the keys have designs like kittens and animal print. Another piece Treviño designed is a black choker decorated with an assortment of wristwatch faces. Then, there is a pair of Bugs Bunny earrings that have been cut out from an old CD.
Treviño connects especially to her jewelry that tells a story about her Latine upbringing. She has spent so much time in her life between San Diego and Tijuana, she considers herself a “border artist.” Even when she made California her home full time, she would return to Mexico to reconnect to her roots. “I even went to Mexico for a year because I felt trapped and didn’t know who I was as an artist anymore,” Treviño said. “I didn’t know how I fit in. So, I surrounded myself with all these beautiful artists, and I found my voice when I was there. When I came back to [the U.S.], I felt more comfortable.”
Some of the jewelry that Treviño designs that capture her “border artist” sensibilities include name plates with Spanish phrases and slang like “Siéntate Papi” and “Arrasa con Todo;” a silver purse with a handle that reads, “Carnitas;” and a thick necklace featuring the word “Norteña” – just to name a few. “I’m very influenced by the streets in Mexico,” she said. “When I’m out, I’m always paying attention to all the details. It’s inspiring – just existing there.”
Another inspiring aspect of Treviño’s art is getting the opportunity to work directly with well-known Latine talent like Bad Bunny and Natalia Lafourcade and others like Beyoncé, Rosalía, and Lady Gaga. If a celebrity contacts Treviño and is looking for a custom piece to wear on the red carpet or for a music video, she’s always willing to talk about the possibility of collaborating. She’s even open to loaning jewelry to a celebrity if the partnership is beneficial for both parties.
“I want to inspire and create other generations,” Treviño said. “I’m not creating dainty jewelry. I’m not trying to do just one thing or trying to satisfy the market. I’m doing things bigger. I’m doing everything by heart.”
Cheetos Deja tu Huella celebrates those leaving their mark. Learn more here.
