A New Horizon • Dakota Rocha

A New Horizon, an exhibition of mixed media artworks presented by Dakota Rocha is on display now through January 28, 2025 at the Andersen Enrichment Center, 120 Ezra Rust Drive, across from Ojibway Island in Saginaw. Hours are from 9:00a.m. until 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. The exhibition is free and open to the public.

A New Horizon showcases Dakota Rocha’s journey in discovering her unique artistic voice. With every piece, Rocha invites viewers to witness the world as she does—rich with color, texture, and emotion. Inspired by the beauty of God’s creation, her works are a celebration of life, from the colors of fall leaves to a sunrise that takes your breath away.

As Rocha says, “I will never run out of inspiration,” a truth embodied in each brushstroke, pour, and abstract form. Music also drives Rocha’s process, creating a rhythm that influences her choice of color, brushstrokes, and even the tilt of her canvas, transforming her studio into a lively, dual-purpose dance floor and creative space.

Rocha’s career began in photography after receiving a Nikon D3000 camera as a high school graduation gift. Over the next decade, she refined her photography skills, capturing weddings, scenic landscapes, and the fine details of nature.

A turning point came in 2020 when Rocha discovered paint pouring, which ignited her passion for mixed media art. Her work quickly expanded to include techniques such as epoxy resin, UV resin, and jewelry making, as well as watercolor.     By experimenting with various materials, Rocha developed a style that is both spontaneous and intentional, blending layers of texture and vibrant colors.

Her recent accomplishments include being accepted into her first gallery exhibition at Studio 23 in Bay City and showing work at local art fairs. Now, as a student at the Milan Art Institute, she continues to refine her techniques and explore new media, deepening her practice as both an artist and storyteller.

 Visitors to A New Horizon will witness Rocha’s artistic growth as she looks ahead, embracing life’s next steps with an open heart and palette.

Art @ the Andersen is made possible with the support of the Maxwell K. Pribil Memorial Trust,    Jury Foundation, Harvey Randall Wickes Foundation, and the Michigan Arts & Culture Council.     Art @ Andersen was established by the Saginaw Arts & Enrichment Commission to give artists in the Great Lakes Bay Region an opportunity to exhibit and sell their work. For more information call the Saginaw Arts & Enrichment Commission at 989.759.1362.