Lorena Molina: Teaching as Care, Community, and Counter-Archive

In August 2026, Lorena Molina, an artist, educator, and curator from El Salvador, is highlighted in Lenscratch's 'Photography Educator' series. This feature showcases an interview, her artistic creations, and feedback from her students. As an Assistant Professor at San Francisco State University, Molina established Third Space Gallery in Cincinnati in 2022, with plans for a new location in San Francisco set to open in Fall 2026. Her artistic focus revolves around themes of displacement and migration across various mediums. Notable recent works include 'Soy El Clima' and 'The Fermenting Archive.' Advocating for non-hierarchical learning, she has implemented labor-based grading since Spring 2022. Additionally, Molina is a finalist for the 2026 SFMECO SECA Art Award, with 'For the Return' exhibition in Guatemala commencing on October 10.