Erik Richard Parra was born and raised in the vibrant border metroplex of El Paso-Juárez. He studied painting at The University of Texas at Austin and received a Bachelor of Fine Art. After graduation Erik moved to San Francisco, where he maintained a studio and taught at the San Francisco Children’s Art Center. One year later he was accepted into the graduate painting department of the University of Wisconsin, Madison on fellowship.

Upon completion of his MFA he moved to Brooklyn, New York where he maintained a studio, taught art and exhibited his artwork. He has exhibited internationally in alternative spaces, commercial galleries and museums in New York, London, Berlin, Chicago and Brasilia, Brazil. In the Bay Area Erik’s work has been exhibited at Blankspace Gallery, Johansson Projects, The Headlands Center for the Arts, Root Division, Southern Exposure, WE Artspace, Kala Art Institute and most recently at the Berkeley Art Center. Additionally Erik has lectured at universities, given artist talks, garnered residencies and awards.

For over ten years Erik has taught students of all ages, a variety of media from drawing to sculpture. He has taught at many different types of spaces and programs including teaching Color Theory as an adjunct lecturer at University of Wisconsin, Madison.