brianamelia
Biography
Briana Vargas is a photojournalist, arts administrator, and museum professional with experience in fine art conservation. Her photographic practice delves into themes of home, tradition, and cultural preservation. Her background in international relations and bilingual writing and rhetoric fuels her devotion to the American Southwest borderland, languages, and storytelling.
Based in El Paso, Texas. Available for arts, culture, and politics editorial and reportage assignments throughout Texas and in Northern Mexico.
CV
Education
MA in Arts Leadership | University of Houston, 2025
BA in Government, Minor in Latin American Studies | University of Texas at Austin, 2017
Workshops & Residencies
Houston Center for Photography | Land Matters: Photography, Landscape, Environment Masterclass with Liz Wells, 2025
Magnum Photos | On Communities Masterclass with Yael Martínez, 2024
Willow House | Artist Residency, Session II, 2023
Fotofilmic | Creative Immersion Workshop Retreat with Cristina de Middel, Mark Neville & Joanna Milter, 2020
Boreal Collective | Boreal Bash V Photojournalism Workshop, Coxcatlán, San Luis Potosi, 2018
Solo Exhibitions
“Dicen”, Houston Center for Photography, May 2021
Group Exhibitions
"Artist Collective: HUES", Superb Studios, Houston, Texas, May 2026
"The One with All the Squares", El Paso Frame Co., El Paso, Texas, November 2025
"I10", Presa House Gallery, San Antonio, Texas, June 2025
“Cafecito: A Proclamation of Presence”, Photoville, New York, New York, May 2025
"Intervención Gráfica Colectiva", San Luis Contemporáneo, Cd. Juárez, Chihuahua, May 2025
"2025 FreshArts Benefit Auction Exhibition", FreshArts, Houston, Texas, March 2025
"Wish You Were Here: A Small Works Show", El Paso Frame Co., El Paso, Texas, March 2025
“2025 Print Auction Exhibition”, Houston Center for Photography, February 2025
"Masks: Latiné Art Show", Canopy Projects Gallery, Austin, Texas, December 2024
“El Santo Niño Project Benefit Exhibition”, The Hood, Las Cruces, New Mexico, December 2024
“Stick ‘Em Up Showcase”, FLATS, Houston, Texas, November 2024
“Entre Mundos”, Casa Luz, Houston, Texas, October 2024
“Love Letters”, Nova Gallery, El Paso, Texas, August 2024
“Interwoven”, FLATS, Houston, Texas, June 2024
“Raices”, Casa Luz, Houston Texas, May 2024
“19 Ojos: Una colaboración con Xingaderas”, Nova Gallery, El Paso, Texas, February 2024
“Admit One”, FLATS, Houston, Texas, July 2023
“2022 Print Auction Exhibition”, Houston Center for Photography, March 2022
Awards & Acknowledgements
2025 Latino CARTographies Artist Registry, University of Houston CMALS
2022 FotoFest Biennial Portfolio Review Scholarship Recipient
2020 Carol Crow Memorial Fellowship Award Winner, Houston Center for Photography
2019 Joan Holt & Roger Wich Emerging Photographer, Houston Center for Photography
2017 Maymester in Prague: Documentary Photography Storytelling Scholarship Recipient, University of Texas at Austin School of Journalism and Media