2021 Artists


Adrianna “Boo” Alejo Sorondo

Pictured: Boo and family in her studio at The Midway

Adrianna Alejo Sorondo is a mixed media artist and anthropologist from Fresno, CA. living and working in San Francisco. Focusing on ritual and genetic memory, her work highlights the spiritual and physical resilience of people over time through the tending of gardens, turning poison into medicine.

“I am truly grateful for this experience as a Midway Artist Studio Resident! The chance to create in such a space among a cohort of fellow artists was priceless. Throughout my time at The Midway I felt incredibly supported in my creative energy. Norah and staff went above and beyond! From my workshop to the exhibition, I feel more connected to the Bay Area art community and look forward to building on the relationships I’ve made.”


Emily Benz

Pictured: Emily Benz teaching at workshop in the Midway Gallery

Emily Benz, born in 1985, received her MFA in Studio Art at the San Francisco Art Institute, and her BFA in Painting at Southern Oregon University. She currently lives and works in San Francisco, California.

Artist Statement: My practice explores medium-specificity, concepts of existential rationale and cognitive distortions. Recently, it has dealt with themes of self-loathing and narcissism, routine and ritual, and of failure and success. The process involves painting abstract and figurative content upon both conventional and non-conventional surfaces. The resulting image is then redacted, with particular elements and objects often being blotted out or left vacant, emphasizing mark-making as an act of cognizance.


Sasha Vu

Pictured: Sasha Vu in her studio at
The Midway

San Francisco based artist and designer Sasha Vu graduated with a BFA in Communications Design and Illustration from Brooklyn’s Pratt institute in 2013. She studied 2D and 3D design, lighting , photography and illustration.

Since graduating, Sasha has worked as a freelance installation artist, photographer and illustrator. She also has worked as an assistant art director conceptualizing , collaborating and creating event installations  and prop design. 

Sasha is a co founder of San Francisco based art collective StreetHeart.