Our Stand
We aim to provide tools for families to educate children about their family roots, culture and the history of the people of the world.
We want to bridge family's roots with children's present culture. Our goal is for children to understand, respect and love the different cultures that make up our world and to grow into wholesome individuals who are proud of where they come from and confident of where they are going.
Internally, we also believe our team should represent the diversity around us. Although we are a female-owned and operated business, we work with formerly encarcerated, disabled, and elderly people as well as with an array of gender and ethnic identities. Everyone who has become part of the Ovejita family is a unique, and talented individual.
Humble Beginnings
Oveja Negra started as a response to Arizona's decision to ban ethnic studies in public schools. During those turbulent years, Francisca was disturbed by the idea that the history of strong, talented, ground-breaking, inspiring people were being erased from children's text books, based only on their ethnicity. So she started sketching the Latin American characters who influenced her life and created Oveja Negra to bring back to life their stories, their passions, and country of birth. Fast forward a couple of years, and this small project grew into what Oveja Negra is today. Now with the research by Pat Polanka, the creative designs of Olga Muñoz, and the beautiful work of Chelsee Mitchell and Tamara Hall, Oveja Negra now is a place where historic characters and indigenous cultures and traditions can be found. Welcome to Oveja Negra: where culture meets play.
The Team
Fran Orellana is an anthropologist, sociologist, artist and writer who is passionate about culture preservation. She is the founder and current CEO of Oveja Negra.
Pat Polanka is an artist native of Chicago, who has lived in Chile and now resides in beautiful San Diego. She is the art director and manufacturing coordinator of Oveja Negra.
Olga Muñoz is a graphic web designer and entrepreneur. She runs her company 7.3.1. Designs in San Francisco. She is passionate about Latin American culture and art.
Jesu Saez is a Chilean artist, architect, and our beloved illustrator. When she is not painting, she is doing mixed media embroidery. She currently resides in Santiago, Chile.
The Team
Fran Orellana is an anthropologist, sociologist, artist and writer who is passionate about cultural preservation. She is the creator and owner of Oveja Negra.
Olga Muñoz is a graphic web designer and entrepreneur. She runs her company 7.3.1. Designs in San Francisco. She is passionate about Latin American culture and art.
Macarena Pinochet is a children's psychologist and the creator of Ombú, a social media space dedicated to children's emotional development and our educational partner.
Ombú is born as an idea to provide a safe space to support families and schools through different psychoeducational resources.
Patricia Polanka is an artist native to Chicago who has spent many years in South America where she has perfected her Spanish as well as her passion for Latin American art.
Chelsee Mitchel is our amazing illustrator. She is from Orange County, California. She lives with her best friend and four cats: Thumbs, Arlo, Mabel, and Flo. In her spare time, she likes to play soccer and works in IT when she isn't drawing.
Denise Bellenand is a public relations and marketing professional who has worked for banks, private companies, and the government. She is now the proud business owner of a cafe in Santiago de Chile and is our Spanish editor.
•Women Owned • Women Operated •
•Made in the US •
