CHOLLA PALACE is Marissa Johnson, a creator and curator of cards, collages, drawings, paintings, photographs and beautiful objects. Her work is inspired by the deep order of nature, feelings of nostalgia, and the quiet magic of animals, plants and materials. She dabbles in cardboard and collecting little objects that tell stories and serve as reminders / portals to other universes.

She was born and raised in central Phoenix and graduated from the University of Arizona with a BA in Drawing and Painting, and a BS in Science Education - Biology. Her mother’s family is from Arizona, southern New Mexico, Texas and Northern Mexico, her father’s family hails from Minnesota and Wisconsin.

She lives in Tucson, Arizona, the traditional land of the Tohono O’odham, with her family, surrounded by community, city, mountains and wonderous things.