Kia Ix Arriaga was born in Cuernavaca Morelos, México. She graduated from Universidad del Sol in 1998, with a major in Graphic Design and illustration. In 2000, Arriaga moved to Detroit, in order to attend Wayne State University, pursuing a BFA in Metalsmithing and ceramics. Arriaga works as a Cultural Educator in the community and as a multidisciplinary Artist. Arriaga is also an Aztec Dancer; member of the Aztec dance group "Kalpulli Tlahuikayotl", where she fills a role as an active participant of rescuing the traditional ways of the original people of Mexico. Arriaga is known for her art installations, where she includes a variety of media including ceramics, drawing, traditional sand painting and metalwork; for the past 16 years, she's been installing Mexican Day of the Dead Ofrendas in Southwest Detroit and in the Metro area, including institutions like the Detroit Institute of Arts, Museum Of Contemporary Art Detroit and N'Namdi Center for Contemporary Art. He work has been published in the book: "Essay'd 2: 30 Detroit Artists" by Wayne State University Press. Her latest project is about connecting her installations with Aztec dance performance to better explain the culture and share it with her audience.