Elena Garcia Wagner immigrated to the United States in the 1960’s as one of the 14,000 unaccompanied, Cuban minors involved in Operation Pedro Pan. A graduate of Old Dominion University’s art program, Wagner uses her work to explore her experience as a Cuban-American immigrant. Still troubled by the events of her traumatic immigration, Elena feared exhibiting her work until she had come to terms with the powerful emotions which inspire her art. According to Elena, "if art is to be good, it has to be honest."