Cali-Baja Journalist and Artist Ellie Burgueño Advances in National Art Competition Presented by Johnny Depp
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Ellie Burgueño is participating in The People’s Artist, a nationwide art competition and fundraiser presented by actor and musician Johnny Depp that supports arts-based community healing initiatives across North America.
The competition benefits The Art of Elysium, a nonprofit organization that connects artists, volunteers, and communities through creative programs designed to support emotional wellness and healing. Organizers describe the initiative as an opportunity for emerging and established artists to showcase their work while raising awareness for the role of the arts in community development.
Participants in the competition are eligible for several major prizes, including a $25,000 grand prize, a feature appearance in Artforum magazine, and an exclusive exhibition opportunity at The Art of Elysium’s Art Salon in Los Angeles.
Unlike traditional art competitions that rely on a panel of judges to determine winners based solely on artistic merit, The People’s Artist incorporates a public voting model. Supporters can cast one free vote daily, while additional votes can be submitted through charitable donations benefiting the organization’s Action Initiative Team. Artists are encouraged to promote their work online and engage supporters throughout the competition.
For Burgueño, the competition represents more than an artistic opportunity—it reflects a lifelong passion that began in early childhood. She often says that art was born with her and that creativity became one of her earliest forms of expression. At just three years old, she began exploring drawing and painting, discovering a passion that would accompany her throughout her life.
Her artistic talent was recognized early. While attending elementary school, she earned first place in a statewide art competition as a third-grade student. Years later, as a freshman in high school, she once again captured first place in another prestigious art competition, further confirming her natural artistic abilities. Though her professional career would eventually lead her into journalism, publishing, public relations, and broadcasting, art remained a constant presence throughout her journey.
Burgueño believes that God often takes people where they need to be through mysterious and unexpected paths. While her life became deeply rooted in media and communications, she never abandoned her artistic calling. Instead, she continued nurturing her creativity while building a successful career dedicated to storytelling, culture, and community engagement.
Widely recognized throughout the Cali-Baja region, Burgueño has built a career focused on journalism, culture, and binational relations. She currently serves as Editor-in-Chief of Beyond Borders Gazette, a publication that circulates throughout the U.S.-Mexico border region, and is also the founder of the weekly newspaper Imperial Valley Insight. In addition to her publishing work, she has worked as a radio host, columnist, translator, interpreter, public speaker, and published author.
Over the course of more than 18 years in the media industry, Burgueño has received numerous recognitions for her journalism and public service efforts. Her work has earned her three national journalism awards in Mexico, including first place in the Ricardo Flores Magón National Journalism Award competition, as well as first-place honors on two separate occasions from the San Diego Press Club.
In 2020, Burgueño was recognized as Woman of the Year by the California State Senate. More recently, she was selected as a Woman of Distinction by the California State Assembly for her efforts to strengthen ties between Mexico and the United States through journalism, cultural outreach, and programs supporting students, young leaders, and women entrepreneurs.
Beyond her media accomplishments, Burgueño has continued expanding her artistic portfolio. Supporters describe her work as versatile and expressive, often incorporating themes connected to culture, identity, resilience, faith, and the unique experiences of border communities.
She is also preparing for a future art tour throughout the Cali-Baja Mega Region with support from the Mexican Consulates in Calexico and San Diego. The tour is expected to feature between 15 and 25 original works, alongside pieces from other renowned regional artists. Additional details regarding the exhibition series are expected to be announced later this year.
The People’s Artist competition is open to artists ages 18 and older across North America, with registration available free of charge. Public voting is currently underway online, where Burgueño has advanced among the finalists and is now competing for the title.
Supporters are encouraged to vote daily and learn more about Ellie Burgueño’s artistic journey and creative work at www.ellieburgueno.com.
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