Rhea Vedro can often be found metalsmithing in her studio in the Fine Arts Building on campus.

A metals major, Rhea uses her art to explore social issues. In one of her more recent projects, she used coins to illustrate the amount of money spent each year to incarcerate young people, which is now being exhibited on campus in the Sojourner Truth Library and will soon be shown at a SUNY-wide exhibit in Albany.

Working with young people is important to Rhea, who is the founder of the "Artist Youth Educator's International Collective," an online listserv that provides information to artists, as well as the opportunity to network.

"It's a digital resource list with about 300 people on it," said Rhea.

Prior to attending New Paltz, Rhea spent three-and-a-half years living in Brazil, where she opened a restaurant with a friend and taught English to adults. Rhea also used the opportunity to network with other artists and community members.

"I was interested in building my organization internationally," said Rhea, who would like to return to Brazil to make art, collaborate with other artists there and continue to learn from their community-based arts tradition.

At New Paltz, Rhea continues to focus on her work as an artist. This past summer, she participated in two blacksmithing fellowships with respected artists and is currently working on a new body of work investigating how objects worn next to the skin absorb, project, and deflect human energy.

Why New Paltz? Rhea came to New Paltz because of its renowned metals program.

Hobbies: Training in Capoeira (a Brazilian martial art), gardening and teaching Portuguese

Motivated by: Juana Alicia, her artistic mentor; her grandfather, who is a social activist; and the young people she works with.

Little-Known Fact: Rhea can stand on her head.