The sun pressed on her skin.

Looking at the circular flat topped pyramids, she was thrown back in time, imagining what the world must have been like all those years ago in pre-Columbian archeological site of Guachimontones, Mexico.

“The site was on the foothills of the Tequila volcano, a holy location, overlooking the most geographically diverse valley I had ever seen,” said Teresa Diaz, new curator of the Art Space Gallery. “I think I reverted to a past life – it was a magical experience.”

As a young child growing up in Mexico City, Diaz had always wanted to be an artist. She had many influences. Her father was an artist and she frequented museum exhibitions of pre-Columbian art, portraits and landscapes and knew then that art will forever be her passion.

From her earliest years, Diaz learned to draw and paint. She applied herself and by the age of 11, she was in an art academy. By the time she graduated from high school, she was certain that art was the career path for her.

Diaz, who describes herself as an ambitious Latina, keeps herself busy, juggling her jobs — as curator for the Art Space Gallery, professor of two classes at Fresno State and an instructor of yoga for beginner and intermediate classes.

Being an artist, Diaz wishes to share the way she views the world. She says the greatest inspiration for her art is the reflection of present consciousness and using art to bring unity within a community. She hopes to bring this to Fresno City College.

“Exhibitions are made to open horizons, minds and conversations. This is how we can all learn from the world around us and from each other,” she said. “As we learn from each other, we will be able to live more comfortably with our differences and make our community a better place to live.”

Already, Diaz has brought interesting artists to the campuses art community. “Innerds” by Arthur Gonzalez is the first exhibition of the spring semester.

“His current work was sitting on his tables ready to be finished, and his past work was hung on the wall as if they were all having conversations between each other,” Diaz said. “I felt I was part of these conversations. I didn’t want to interrupt, so I just watched and learned.”

She said that was her inspiration for installing the “Innerds” exhibition – “conversations happening while you are watching them unfold, touching your senses at every moment, making your heart beat faster as provocative thoughts enter and leave your mind.”

Like all artists, Diaz hopes to inspire people in the community; she wants the works of art to speak to them on a deep level of consciousness.

Diaz spends her time with each art piece in the gallery, forming a connection she hopes to share with the rest of the FCC community.

“The more I spend time in the gallery,” Diaz said. “The more I feel a connection with each piece.”

She said students who have a passion for art should give it their all.

“If you really want to be an artist, as a career, you must do everything possible to search for the best of the best schools, positions, mediums, responsibilities,” Diaz said. “Regardless of any obstacles that you face always accomplish your goals.”