Imperial Valley Artist Collective was started by Elizabeth M Lopez (El Centro), Minerva Torres-Guzman and Alfredo Guzman (both from Holtville) with hope to help bring more art into the Imperial Valley in which they all grew up in. Lopez, Torres, and Guzman graduated from Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles in 2007. Upon graduation, they moved back home to the Imperial Valley to find most... of the art activities were happening across the border in Mexicali.

After being in a couple shows (both in Mexicali and Imperial Valley), they were inspired by the work done for the community by Marco Vera of Mexicali Rose and by the overwhelming support of their mentor, Tom Gilbertson of Imperial Valley College. Lopez, Torres, and Guzman started the Imperial Valley Artist Collective in mid 2011 with hope to collaborate with fellow artists and make art more accessible to their community.