About The Artist

Help us bring Mexican folk art to Burning Man.

The Artist Laura Salcido at Burning Man

The Alebrijes project is the work of artist and designer Laura Salcido.

Laura Salcido is a San Francisco-based artist who uses non-traditional media to realize her creations. Her work is born of cultural moments and shaped through meditation and dialogue with her wider artistic community. Since 2014, she has crafted everything from intimate experiential pieces to large sculptures for a variety of festivals including Burning Man. She draws on her Mexican-American heritage and her travels as some of the inspiration for her art.

She grew up in a Southern California Latino community where women were expected to adhere to more traditional societal guidelines. She has forged her own path beyond those strictures, building a life and art practice that is fiercely her own, while still calling in the heritage that taught her bravery and authentic connection.

Before turning her full attention to her visual art, she worked in film and theater, and then spent a decade in healthcare. She values the way art promotes wellbeing. “Part of health is being able to appreciate beauty,” Salcido said. “I want to put beauty and whimsy in the world. We are better humans when we can experience these qualities.”

About The Team

Jordan Culver is the webmistress, social media manager, and builder. this will be her second large art project on the playa, after she designed and she and Tony Jackson built a 26′ long Pirate Ship climbable structure which you can find each year in front of 7 Sirens Cove at 7 and A. 2023 will be her 14th year at Burning Man. She and her husband Tony Jackson met at the 2012 burn and got engaged at the 2014 burn.

Genie Gratto (aka “The Instigator”) has been burning since 2009, and has volunteered at 88NV and as a reporter for the Black Rock Beacon. 2023 will be her 10th visit to the Gerlach Regional. She is assisting Laura Salcido’s 2023 honorarium project through communications and storytelling support.

2023 will be Tony Jackson‘s 20th year at Burning Man. A long-time member of the Fire Conclave, you can find him spinning fire staff as the man burns. He’s excited to contribute to a large-scale art project this year.