Beacon - The Howland Cultural Center began its month long celebration of the National Hispanic-American History Month with an art exhibition featuring twenty-four Latino artists of the Hudson Valley.
On Saturday, the exhibition, Light - Shadow - Conscience opened to the public. The exhibition will hang through September 30th. The art exhibition features paintings, sculpture, ceramics, and photography from Jose Acosta, Salvador Arellano, Saul Arevalo, Karlos Carcamo, Aurelio Castano, Rolando W. Cuartas, Jessica Diaz, Richard Diaz, Rafael Figueroa, Sandra Figueroa, Arthur C. Georgalas, Ana Laura Gonzalez, Salvador Guzman, Ramon Ibarra, Elizabeth Lauri, Nestor Madalengiotia, Josephine Monter, Wilfredo Morel, Laurentino Nova, Elisa Pritzker, Federico Ruiz, Gregory Slick, Marida del Pozo Slick, and Felipe Guevar Vazques.
Featured Artists
Jose Acosta
, a Cuban-American artist, states that he creates paintings, sculptures, and constructions. "Bright colors, swirling figures, and vibrant energy characterize my paintings." "Generally my paintings depict my personal history and my surroundings. I paint from my heart, expressing a little hope and happiness in all of my creations. I paint the struggles of my fellow humans to strive for their dreams, the things that some of us take so lightly, yet so many in this world do not have. I am a romantic at heart and envision a future world where we will all live in peace and plenty."
Salvador Arellano
was born in the village of Tehuitzingo, Puebia, in Mexico. He has been studying art since the age of thirteen and taught it to students as an elementary school teacher in rural Mexico. Arellano says of his art that "from abstraction to realism, I’m always trying to capture what I’m feeling at the moment."
Aurelio Castano
was taught an appreciation for and love of nature, and also that hard work was the only way to succeed in life from his parents, Alfredo Castano and Lucrecia Loaiza, who were farmers in the mountain of Columbia. He immigrated to the United States and settled in White Plains, New York. A devastating auto accident, which almost paralyzed him, changed his life. While in rehabilitation, Aurelio discovered the artist "that was sleeping inside of me waiting to be awakened." "My work speaks about the way I see things and the fusion of two different worlds: the Latino warmth of colors with the new Anglo-neat arrangements and textures."
Jessica Diaz
grew up in the Bronx but discovered her love for painting while attending SUNY, New Paltz. She gave up her full time job to pursue a career in art. Her present work of creating masks started from being inspired by Andy Warhol. They are a major part of her work in this exhibition.
Richard Diaz
states that most of his work stems from his Bronx roots where he grew up. His present work is a fusion of his two worlds: urban & suburban. Richard states, "I don’t write or keep a journal, so images are how I mark time and memories."
Rafael Figueroa was born in "Borinquen" (Puerto Rico) in the town of Naranjito. "I was raised in New York City en El Barrio, where I developed my life long love of art. El Barrio’s rich culture of art, music, poetry, dance, and rooted traditions influenced my thinking, imagination, and social awareness." Rafael studied art at The School of Visual Arts where he met and worked with other great artists in New York’s "incredible multi-cultural community."
Elizabeth Lauri was born and raised in the Republic of Honduras where she received her Bachelors in Liberal Arts. Lauri completed her studies, when she came to the United States, at the Albert Peis School of Visual Art in New York City, which is affiliated with Cooper Union, and went on to study sculpture at the Art Life Studio in Portchester, New York. "My work has no formula, as my ideas and experiences change, so does my art." She is co-founder and board director of the Latino-American Alliance of Putnam County.
Nestor Madalengoitia
, one of Dutchess County’s major artists, came to the USA from Peru. Nestor has won awards and recognition from the Dutchess County Arts Council, public schools, and many organizations for his exceptional murals, which have gained him many commissions throughout the metropolitan area.
Josephine Monter
received her art education in her native country of Spain. She has resided in the United States since the early 70’s and has come to be widely acclaimed for her passionate paintings, masks, and enormous capacity of originality.
Elisa Pritzker
is another artist who has gained fame for her extraordinary talent not only in the metropolitan area but also nationally and internationally. She is listed in "Who’s Who of American Women" and her lifetime work is available for study through a permanent file kept at the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, D. C. and at the Museo del Barrio in New York City.
The Howland Cultural Center is located at the east end of Main Street (477) in Beacon, New York.
