Consuelo Poland Lockhart

Guatemalan Functional Artist Consuelo Poland Lockhart was adopted at the age of 3 by American parents and was raised in Traverse City, Michigan. She graduated from Kendall College of Art and Design in Grand Rapids, MI in the spring of 2012 with a BFA in Functional Art. Upon graduation she was able to get funding to attend GRCC for their 18 week job training Welding/ Fabricating program and completed it early. Since then she’s taken on a variety of creative/design jobs such as, upholstery, welding, woodworking, finishing, faux finishing and gilding.

Moving to Indianapolis in May 2016 led her to a position running Ruckus Makerspace for 3 1⁄2 years. Managing the makerspace gave her access to shared equipment and tools which led to the launch of the Latinas Welding Guild Inc in October 2017. The Latinas Welding Guild is a need-based program focused on creating barrier-less education and the advancement of women in a field that has traditionally been less accessible to them. Consuelo continues to advocate for more opportunities for the Latino community but also families within the education system.