Karen Arango is a Sarasota-based multimedia journalist commissioned by several local and national magazines and organizations. These include the following: the San Francisco Chronicle, Your Observer, Sarasota Magazine, The Community Foundation of Sarasota, Manatee Community Foundation, Gulf Coast Community Foundation, United Way Suncoast, Goodwill Manasota, Ringling College of Art and Design, and others. Her work focuses on collaborating with non-profits to create visual stories that promote awareness of the community's social needs.
Karen earned a Digital Journalism Master's degree from the University of South Florida, a Photography and Imaging Bachelor's degree from Ringling College of Art and Design, and a photography certificate from the International Center of Photography. Karen is mainly interested in adopting her visual skills to impact her community positively.
Arango's multimedia work has been published and recognized internationally. Her recent short documentary, “OKUTEEBA,” won six international film festival awards. Gulf Coast Community Foundation sponsored Karen's solo photography show at the Art Center Sarasota, “Rearview Mirror / El Retrovisor” which told stories of local Hispanic residents in SRQ to promote awareness about mental health in the Hispanic community. Her video “Faces of Goodwill” won a Silver Telly Award, and her short film “Families Together / Familias Unidas” was selected for the Through Women's Eyes Film Festival and Sarasota Film Festival.
Photo Credit to Yana Parker