Juan Angel Chavez was born on September 25, 1971 in La Junta, Chihuahua, Mexico, where he lived until 1985. At the age of thirteen, he immigrated with his family to Chicago. He attended The School of the Art Institute of Chicago's Early College Program and continued his studies at The School without obtaining a degree, but rather found employment as an intern in the Education and Performing Arts departments of the Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum in Chicago.

While working at the Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum, Chavez began developing his professional experience by painting murals in Chicago neighborhoods and schools as a member of the Chicago Public Art Group. Since then he has continued to focus on his career as a professional artist, by developing a truly impressive body of work. During his public art era he was a leading force in the Chicago public art community. His commissions can be seen through out Chicago. For example: The Toman Branch Library, Chicago; The Whipple Home, Lake Forest; the Chicago Park District; the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA); the Chicago Sun-Times and many others.

Now, Chavez focuses in his studio work and larger then life sculptures and installations made of found materials, light and sound. Chavez’s work has been exhibited in Chicago at the Museum of Contemporary Art, The Mexican Fine Art Center Museum, and the Hyde Park Art Center. Nationally and abroad, his work has recently been exhibited at venues in Los Angeles, California; Burlington, Vermont, Columbus Ohio; and Copenhagen, Denmark. He has been recognized with the prestigious Richard H. Driehaus Individual Artist Award and the Louis Comfort Tiffany award in NY City.

Chavez, also, has been an active participant in Chicago’s arts community, and has served as an Arts Representative on the City of Chicago’s Public Art Committee and currently holds a Faculty position in the sculpture department at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago.