Gem Mercado (they/she) is a creative multihyphenate with primary interests in songwriting and performance. They are a multi-instrumentalist who has performed in music venues and alternative art spaces throughout New York City and New England. In their visual art practice they are passionate about creating music videos, mixed media collage, and text-based expression. They earned their BFA in Technical Theatre & Design from Central Connecticut State University.

As AYB’s Special Events Coordinator, Gem successfully planned and executed the Fall 2024 Art Words Benefit, AYB’s most successful fundraising event to date. They organized teams of AYB artists to serve as judges for the adjudication process of thousands of student applications submitted to the Scholastic Art Awards representing the Northeast Region at Large.

Gem is currently in the planning stages of AYB’s spring art sale fundraising event in support of AYB’s school partnership programs.

The work that Gem does in production, events, and fundraising is propelled by their identity as a proud Queer Puerto Rican artist.