A Big Day Promoting Education and the Arts
Last Friday was an important day for our organization with two different celebrations: one for our little ones and their successful completion of the Afterschool Learning Program, and the other to mark the opening of a special exhibit, “Emerging Latino Artists,” featuring local Latino artists who are making significant contributions to the Boston art scene.
Afterschool Program End of the Year Celebration
[caption id="attachment_6282" align="alignleft" width="412"]
Father and son during Afterschool Program Final Celebration.[/caption]
Our little students have made some remarkable advancements during the school year, and they were excited to show their loved ones all they have achieved. As parents started walking in sons and daughters eagerly pulled them towards their own pieces of artwork which hung on the walls of the Blackstone Innovation School. The first thing on the agenda was a special dance they had been working on during the last week. All of the children collaborated together and performed a beautiful choreography as proud parents and family recorded the moment with pictures and videos.
Then, they all received a certificate of completion and awards recognizing them for best attendance or most improved. It was a special moment, marking the perfect start to the summer, and sending off our little ones knowing they have gained the tools necessary to keep on advancing within the public school system.
This program is by referral only as it contains a significant ESL component. If you think your child could benefit from this program contact their school counselor or teacher. Give your child the boost they need, learn more here.
Emerging Latino Artists Opening Reception
Later that afternoon, a few blocks away at La Galería in Villa Victoria Center for the Arts, local art enthusiasts started milling about. It was opening night of “Emerging Latino Artists.” The exhibit featured artwork from talented artists whom attendees had the opportunity to speak to and learn more about their pieces as well as their creative process. The artists in attendance were Allison Maria Rodriguez, James Bachez, Mario Torroella, and Genaro Ortega.
Most of Rodriguez’s work focuses on her husband’s diabetes. Dealing with keeping the condition under control has become a central part of both of their lives. She uses mixed media and digital technology to create pieces that relate conceptually to diabetes. She also has a video on display based around the idea of childhood.
[caption id="attachment_6287" align="aligncenter" width="639"]
Artist Allison Rodriguez with her artwork in La Galería.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_6280" align="alignright" width="308"]
"The Mirror" by Alejandro Fischer[/caption]
Bachez’s piece is a large-scale painting titled La Reina de Los Angeles (The Queen of Angels.) This work brings forth the tension between strong lines and architectural forms that contrast with the softness of a delicately painted angel reclining in the middle. For this artist, “Beauty consists of elements of difference harmonized by elements of unity.”
Another prominent artist, Alejandro Fischer, put on display a series of portraits capturing his subjects with exaggerated facial expressions. “My work tends to focus on the psychiatry and language of overcoming the obstacles that help us understand our human and spiritual nature," he said.
Torroella’s work contains lively colors and seemingly innocuous forms, with a strong focus on the subject of death. In his painting called Large Flower Vase, the vase is holding funeral flowers; and the decorative dot motif found in both of his paintings displayed in the gallery symbolizes bullet wounds to represent the death of his brother. All of the elements present in his works are completely intentional, using strokes and lines to create abstract shapes of fruits from the tropics and the color yellow to represent the warmth of its climate.
[caption id="attachment_6281" align="aligncenter" width="645"]
Artist Mario Torroella with his artwork exhibited at La Galería.[/caption]
These are just a few of the artists and pieces featured in this intriguing exhibit, discover all this promising talent for yourself. “Emerging Latino Artists” will be on display until July 1st, to schedule a visit to our gallery contact Elsa Mosquera at emosquera@ibaboston.org or (617) 927-1737....