Cha Gutiérrez (Charissa Cota)
Creative Network Collaborator
She/Her/Ella | Phoenix, AZ
As a Creative Network Collaborator at Neta, Cha supports projects through illustration, visual storytelling, and culturally rooted design. She brings an artist’s lens to the work, helping translate complex ideas into visuals that feel meaningful, human, and culturally grounded.
Her perspective is shaped by her identity as a Latina artist and community-centered creative, and she is especially drawn to work that supports social impact, cultural storytelling, and organizations serving historically marginalized communities.
Background & Experience
Cha has over 15 years of experience in the arts, visual design, illustration, and creative storytelling. Her work spans nonprofit communications, social media design, cultural arts programming, and independent fine art practice.
She currently works as full-time freelance visual artist and illustrator, with collaborations with various Phoenix-based arts organizations.
2020-Present: Freelance Painter, Illustrator & Graphic Designer
2021 - Present: Branding & Design Collaborator - The Sagrado Galleria
2024 - Present: Xico Artist & Graphic Design Contributor - Xico Inc.
2019-2024: Social Media Specialist/ Graphic Designer - West-MEC
2023: Featured Artist for Profiles of Success Event - Valle Del Sol
2023: Solo exhibition, “Inheritance” - The Sagrado Gallery
2017-2018: Art Instructor/ Program Lead for “Healing Studio” - Chicanos Por La Causa (De Colores)
2010-2014: Art Specialist - Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix
2008-2012: Studied Fine Art Painting at Arizona State University, Tempe AZ
2007: Studied Illustration at School of Visual Arts, New York City, NY
When I’m not working, you’ll find me: Creating new artwork, cooking, reading, gardening and spending time with my husband, our two children and our two dogs Rizzo & Chicharrón (Cheech).
