Educator, designer, photographer, fine art painter and all-around creative Richard Ybarra is a born and raised native San Diegan.
Ybarra is a 1979 Honors Graduate from San Diego State University with a bachelors degree in Graphic Design Communication. He also has an Honors Master’s Degree from Argosy University in Education Instructional Leadership.
Ybarra’s career experience has been as a graphic designer and creative director in the San Diego advertising and design industry. With over 35 years working experience, he has many client accomplishments in this arena as well.
His accomplishments as a teacher should also be noted. Ybarra taught graphic design at The Art Institute of California-San Diego for 21 years. Prior to his employment at The Art Institute, he was an instructor at the University of California San Diego Extension for seven years.
Ybarra’s creative talents are not only in graphic design and advertising. He has also exhibited his photographic and fine art work in private collections and galleries throughout San Diego County and California.
A resident of El Cerrito Heights since 1972, Ybarra has seen many changes throughout the community. He values improvements to our neighborhood environments and believes in contributing whenever possible.
In 2007, Ybarra painted the AT&T boxes located at College and Adelaide Avenues. No doubt, the painted subject matter of western icons is another real interest to his heart. He is a western buckaroo and always ready to blaze a new trail for the next western adventure.
Unfortunately, due to graffiti vandalism, Ybarra has altered and repainted the boxes five times since the first inception of 2007. Yes, he, as well as the neighbors on Adelaide Avenue, get very upset when the boxes are graffitied by vandals who have no consideration or respect for efforts of neighborhood creativity and environmental improvement.
Ybarra joins many other artists who feel the same way and will continue to improve the beauty of San Diego neighborhoods. With their efforts, the process of sharing their insightful talents and creativity will always be a part of community growth.
—Laura Riebau writes on behalf of the El Cerrito Community Council.
