Today we’d like to introduce you to Betesha Bloise Ponciano.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
From weekend drawing classes at a small fine arts children’s school in my neighborhood in the Dominican Republic, to delving into the world of Illustration with an AAS at Chavón the School of Design, to a Parsons BFA in Illustration and Communication in New York City, and beyond, my story begins like many other creatives’–a childhood passion for art.
Since I could pick up a pencil, I’ve been using it to explore ideas on the page. As a child, I would avidly devour sketchbooks with anything from anatomy and perspective studies to fantastical scenarios and an odd fixation on cutaway drawings of my ideal house. That hunger for drawing was channeled by my parents into a small parade of different art classes, which luckily landed me at the Escuela de Arte Eliosnet, where I’d spend the next 5 or so years. In retrospect, the importance of my time there can’t be understated, as thanks to their incredible teachers–Eliosnet Vidal and Annabel Torres–my skill level and eye for drawing skyrocketed. Thanks to them, I was also able to participate in their annual exhibitions Hilvanando Ilusiones, experiencing firsthand what it was like to showcase to an enthused public.
The last summer before my senior year of high school, I was at a crux: what would I study in college? As the question loomed pressingly over my head, an answer came in the form of a YouTube channel I had stumbled upon that explored the work of illustrators as far as centuries ago. This is how I discovered the breadth of options the field had to offer, and what prompted me to look into it. That’s how, months later, I ended up at Chavón The School of Design.
My time at the School was hugely influential, teaching me to broaden my horizons and introducing me to a wonderful community of talented and passionate creatives. It’s a place where I got to meet professors who became mentors, and classmates who became dear friends. Thanks to it, I also got the opportunity to course a 2D Summer Intensive Animation class at Parsons The School of Design in 2022–then my first time in NYC.
This experience would come full circle as just a couple of years later, I would be the recipient of the 2+2 Chavón Parsons scholarship, allowing me to pursue a BFA at The New School with a Minor in Communication Design. Yet before embarking on this new chapter, a couple of unexpected developments happened. For the first time, I started working on a self-initiated body of acrylic paintings, which months later culminated in my first collective exhibition at Arte San Ramón Gallery in the DR, thanks to the support of their wonderful team. I also got to working as an in-house and freelance illustrator and graphic designer, discovering my passion for graphics, and preparing for what lay ahead. So my start at the New School came almost a year after graduating Chavón, and has become one of the most influential chapters of my life, not only for all of the technical skills it’s taught me, but for the innumerable ways in which it has shifted my mindset and opened my eyes to a world of possibilities.
Having graduated this May as part of the 2026 cohort, I now continue my journey as a multimedia designer in the professional world, diving deeper into Visual Identity design, editorial work and even motion, exploring more of what the city that never sleeps has to offer.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Though these past few years have been a deeply rewarding and blessed journey, it’s definitely not been without its roadblocks. From the start, I wasn’t truly sure I’d be able to start my Illustration studies at Chavón. Though fit for all they had to offer, the involved cost initially seemed out of reach. After looking for options and possibilities, I was able to start out, but in the Fine Arts program, thanks to a sponsor who graciously contributed to my studies. And as my time at Chavón ended in Spring 2023, and my classes at Parsons were set to start that Fall, the prospect of continuing as planned seemed to stray from reach again.
The prospect of moving to one of the most expensive cities in the world to study meant very real considerations for how plausible it would be to begin that same year. Ultimately, it meant deferring my studies as much as possible: one year, with the hope of turning the tide. We had 12 months where my family and I would do everything within our power to ready the resources necessary; otherwise the scholarship would be lost. As such, I started working full time and saving up every last penny, while we relentlessly appealed to institutions left and right for support–most of which had no response.
Yet, looking back, I’ve realized it’s these same roadblocks which have set the stage for miracles to happen. Despite little support from our appeals to companies and institutions, the overwhelming support from friends and family were–and continue to be–the reason everything has been possible. Even distant connections came up to offer their aid in any way they could, with a place to stay, advice for this completely new world, or a ride to the grocery store every weekend.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a multidisciplinary artist working between illustration, graphic design, and fine arts. My passion for illustration has mostly been channeled into the editorial sphere, falling deeper in love with the cleverness and power of conceptual illustrations. The idea of packing a world of meaning into one single image fascinates me. Through it, I’ve been able to create illustrations and graphics for articles like “Behind the Curtain” and “Haunted” by The New School Free Press, and also developed promotional illustrations for festival performances by the Mannes School of Music.
My passion for graphic design, on the other hand, has manifested in the visual identity sphere, with a deep interest in branding, packaging, and how ideas can be brought to life across a variety of touchpoints to connect with audiences. Highlights of my work include branding for Nohian Collection Hotels, collateral and editorial for Banreservas, and a signage revamp for Westpark Business Center. It’s also brought me to collaborate with wonderful groups such as OBAH Studio and LVMH North America’s Corporate and CSR Department.
Yet all of this mostly digital practice hasn’t meant leaving physical mediums aside. These past few years, I’ve been walking back to those drawing and painting high-school days by developing a body of work in acrylic painting and woodwork. Through these mediums, I explore themes of identity, coming of age, childhood, and the transformational and often confusing shifts this entails through surreal depictions. I’ve been able to continue participating in collective exhibitions both in the Dominican Republic and New York through the incredible work of Arte San Ramón Gallery and Nahualli Gallery based in the World Trade Center. Above all, these spaces have introduced me to a vibrant community of young artists that continue to inspire me in my journey.
In all, I consider these many branching practices to come together into a wholistic practice of experimentation, visual resourcefulness and a rounded out point of view in which skills transfer over to create intentional work.
Any big plans?
As my first post-college summer comes to an end, I look forward to deepening my experience in real-world projects, lending my design knowledge to create tangible work, while learning all I can in the process. I seek to deepen my connection with myself and, in so doing, continue creating visuals, paintings, and a creative output that resonates with me and others. I also look to challenge the boundaries of my knowledge, in the spirit of opening myself up to the many winding paths life and creative work can take me–motion graphics has been a very fun new step!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.beteshabloiesart.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bybetesha?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&stkn=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/betesha-bloise-ponciano-a89174265
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/beteshabloiseart?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&stkn=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
