Born in Bolivia in 1932, Servero Zavaleta studied art at the Andres University in La Paz. He also studied one-on-one with revered South American artists such as Rimsa and Solon Romero of Bolivia, Jaime Carvalho of Rio de Janeiro, and Augusto Iriarte. Color is one of the important factors in Zavaleta's works; he uses rich hues to intergrate the human figure into its environment. These colors are carefully chosen for their emotional impact, and they are arranged in a subtle manner so that the viewer is able to quietly enjoy the painting both visually and emotionally. Zavaleta's pieces have been displayed in group shows in Bolivia and Argentina, and he has won first prize in various competitions. Zavaleta completed a special commision for the University of Rio de Janeiro that included portraits of some of the county's most prestigious educators.