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CSUSM Staff Center

Nicole Mendez

Black and white portrait of Nicole with her cameraArtist Bio

Administrative Coordinator
CHABSS Literature & Writing Studies
Academic Affairs

I am a new employee to CSUSM (Nov 2023), and I already feel this is a great long-term fit for me.  In 2022, I received my MFA in Film from SDSU and subsequently started a small production business, Company Dime Pictures. I currently balance my time between my current position, my film production company, my wedding videography business, personal passion projects, and hanging out with my three children (Nora, Lumiere, and Finley).  Obviously, I love being busy and making things!  During my 10-year career as a painter, my work has been featured at the Oceanside Museum of Art, published in several local magazines, discussed on KPBS’ Midday Edition, and displayed in numerous exhibitions. Currently, as a filmmaker, my projects have screened in galleries and museums and at festivals around the globe. Two of the most exciting moments of my career were when Richard Simmons bought a painting from my first solo exhibit in California, and when my thesis film almost qualified for the Academy Awards.  This fall, I get to be a juror at a prestigious festival in Europe, which is an accomplishment I am super proud of.  My goal is to continue doing what I’m doing until I have established enough credibility to secure a tenure faculty position.  For now, I love working at a university with free access to academic journals and incredible benefits!

Artwork by Nicole Mendez

"95 Months"
Art medium: Acrylic on Paper on Wood

This piece is part of a decade long series of my oldest daughter completed between 2009-2019.  The series followed her development with paintings drawing inspiration from her interests and from my own reflection on her interactions with the world around her.