Catalina Rivera is a multidisciplinary artist, curator, and arts educator whose career bridges continents, cultures, and creative disciplines. With a lifelong commitment to artistic expression, Catalina’s work reflects a fusion of classical training, modern design, and cross-cultural exploration.

Art has been an intrinsic part of Catalina's life from the beginning. Growing up in Miami, Florida, she was raised within the creative atmosphere of her stepfather’s sculpture studio. Surrounded by the tools, materials, and conversations of working artists, she developed a deep appreciation for the tactile and conceptual nature of art. This early exposure laid the foundation for her passion and pursuit of a creative life.

During her formative years, Catalina attended creative arts schools, where she majored in costume design. Her talents quickly led her to an apprenticeship with the prestigious O’Reilly Theatre in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania’s Cultural District, immersing her in the world of performance, theatrical design, and collaborative production. It was during this time that she also discovered photography as a powerful medium for expression. She joined the Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild Apprenticeship Training Program, where she honed her skills in analogue and digital photography, darkroom processes, and conceptual image-making.

In 2012, Catalina earned her B.S. from The Art Institute, majoring in Advertising with a minor in Graphic Design. Shortly after, she launched her first solo venture, Rivera Creative Studio, which focused on art direction and brand management for a variety of clients. While working in the commercial space, she continued producing commissioned art and expanded her practice into the curation and oversight of exhibitions—both for her own work and for fellow artists and organizations.

Her desire to live and create abroad led her to China in 2015, where she remained until 2020. Catalina used this time to travel extensively throughout Asia, absorbing cultural and artistic traditions that deeply influenced her work. While based in Shanghai, she participated in gallery exhibitions and created large-scale murals and installations that are still on display. In parallel with her studio work, she contributed as a freelance art director for multinational tech and crypto corporations across China and Singapore, blending her creative sensibilities with the demands of a rapidly evolving global industry.

In 2021, Catalina completed a certification in World Art History from the Smithsonian Institution, which solidified her interest in the historical and institutional aspects of art. This led her to pursue an M.A. in Art History and Curation at the University of Birmingham in England. While there, she co-curated a landmark exhibition at the Barber Institute of Fine Arts in collaboration with the Royal Collection Trust, showcasing Renaissance masterworks by Albrecht Dürer from Her Majesty the Queen’s collection at Windsor Castle.

After completing her M.A. in 2023, Catalina remained in London, curating exhibitions and art installations within the vibrant Shoreditch district. She also undertook courses in Art Business and Appraisal Determination at both Christie’s and Sotheby’s, deepening her knowledge of the international art market. Her time in the United Kingdom also served as a springboard for travel across Europe and West Asia, where she continued to gather cultural and artistic inspiration.

Today, Catalina divides her time between two of Hawaiʻi’s most historic cultural institutions: Hānaiakamalama (Queen Emma’s Summer Palace) in Honolulu, Oʻahu, and Huliheʻe Palace in Kailua-Kona on the Big Island. As the Programs and Education Manager for both sites, she plays a vital role in the preservation, interpretation, and public engagement of Native Hawaiian royal heritage. In this role, she combines her curatorial experience, educational background, and artistic insight to design programming that honours tradition while inviting contemporary dialogue.

Catalina’s work continues to evolve through a rich interplay of disciplines art direction, education, curatorial practice, and hands-on creation. Her ability to bridge fine art with cultural advocacy has positioned her as a unique voice within the global arts landscape.