José Faus is a visual artist, writer, performer, and independent teacher/mentor with an interest in the role of artists as catalysts for community building. A native of Bogota Colombia, he is a long-time Kansas City area resident. His chapbook This Town Like That was released by Spartan Press. His second book of poetry The Life and Times of Jose Calderon was published by West 39 Press. He maintains Caridostudio (a fine art studio) in downtown KCK. He sits on the boards of the Full Frame Initiative, Board of Governors of UMKC Alumni Assn, and serves as President of the Board of Charlotte Street.