Meet the artist.

Dena Helling is a powerhouse creative & Alameda native who embodies the essence of creativity. A self-taught maestro, she orchestrates captivating artistry that resonates with fellow dreamers & doers alike. In the last 18 years, Dena has navigated dual careers in art & tech, channeling her prowess into transformative projects within enterprise IT ops. Collaborating with industry titans like Cruise, Pinterest, and Apple, she epitomizes innovation and creativity. Simultaneously, as a multi-disciplinary artist, Dena's lens captures the heartbeat of culture—from pulsating music festivals to the intricate tapestry of social media branding and initiatives ranging from strategy, visual communication, portraiture and editorial concepts, & more!

From 2014 to 2021, Dena headed strategy and branding efforts for lead vocalist Dred Scott now of The Prototype Band, managing collaborative partnerships with brands such as urban streetwear Oaklandish for the Wake Up Wednesday a weekly YouTube & IG Live series. And photography assignments with the likes of Oakland Music Festival (OMF); winning the bid for merchandise design from Back Lit Management c/o legendary singer & songwriter Goapele. Dena has shared the media pit of iconic stages throughout the Bay Area & Oahu including: Fox Theater, Paramount, OMF, 1015 Folsom, Mezzanine, to name a few. Partnering with co-working communities including Port Workspaces to curate monthly First Friday open studio gallery showings. Showcasing her own breadth of photo works in art shows including: Era Art Bar, Monroe SF c/o Trap x Art and Jack London’s own pop-up gallery Oakland Artist Collective. Her unique range of experience in tech and creative spaces positions her distinctly to lean into her curiosities & passion, leveraging digital and analog tools. Her vibrant style is seen across mediums, in strategic efforts to drive engagement and community ownership.

In 2017 Dena stepped out of the studio and into the forum in Emeryville, CA to bridge her passions for art & technology. Curate and hosting live workshop sessions empowering community, piloting Apple’s own Today At Apple as the locations pioneer Creative Pro for Art & Design.

Amidst unprecedented times brought by the global pandemic, Dena's journey unfolds as a testament to resilience and adaptation. Through the haze of uncertainty, the rapid acceleration of remote connections and the flourishing landscape of digital art and branding has emerged. Dena continues to nurture her passion for education and community through the imminent launch of her workshop series, Tech Talks. Through this platform, she seeks to ignite minds, foster connection and bridge the gap between art and technology.

Other endeavors:

For more information on upcoming workshops, consultation or other bookable freelance opportunities to work with Dena, please send your proposal to: denahelling@gmail.com