Latin American Art Exhibit at Living Arts Centre Mississauga
Casa Cultural Colombiana is pleased to invite the Canadian-Latin community of the GTA to join us to celebrate the Latin American Heritage Month with a magnificent Art Exhibition with the participation of great Latin American talents. Do not miss the opportunity to meet them and know their artistic expression.
Place: Living Arts Centre Mississauga
Address: 4141 Living Arts Drive, Mississauga, ON L5B4B8
Date: October 11th, 2018 - 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
Admission: Free
Invited artists
Gold Velez
Gold Velez is not only an artist. Gold is a miner, a geologist, a historian, a filmmaker, and entrepreneur. The pieces shown here are part of a body of work that has been carefully organized over the last fifteen years. Motivated by a deep sense of environmental, social responsibility and awareness, Gold expresses her political statement thought beautiful challenging and artistic expression.Unique, Gold’s artwork is the only one in its field that uses a hundred per cent recyclable/reusable materials, including solid gold, silver and sometimes precious stones embedded in each piece. Gold states that sustainability and environmental responsibility shall start within the individual prior to the community engagement.This exhibit is just one of many fronts where Gold put in action her commitment to bringing awareness and put in motion her own responsibility towards environmental sustainability. Gold is a provocateur, more than seeking appreciation and the opinion of the bystanders regarding her artwork, Gold would like to ask you; “What are you personally doing towards sustainability?”
Mariana Cardenas
Mariana Cardenas was born in Caracas, Venezuela. Mariann, how she signs on her works, realized at early years she felt passion for arts and had the ability to create her own style. She studied arts for 3 years at a recognized art school in Venezuela “Bellas Artes" Contemporaneous Art Museum.
After studying many styles, she chose to specialize in painting acrylic on canvas. Mariana’s paintings are influential in the development of abstracts which reflect her feelings, freedom, individuality, a point of view and optimism about life. As an artist, Mariana is inspired by simple or complex things, which sometimes are difficult to explain when she paints abstracts. Mariana usually works with acrylic because it allows creating multiple layers, bold colour and texture. She has participated in different individual exhibitions in Venezuela, and she has also been at some group exhibitions in Canada. The variety and uniqueness are very important for Mariana who is always motivated to create innovative works, which reflect her attraction to contemporary and modern style. She creates on her works an attractive combination of colours, materials and techniques, and she considered herself as an emergent artist.
Flor de Maria Mejia
Flor de Maria Mejia “Florchi” born in Lima, Peru. Her love for painting started at an early age but was on and off until she moved to Canada, with more time, because dedicated more time to be a housewife and mother, that her life took a turn around when Pinceles Latinos found her. She noticed that is people like her that love painting but are not happy with their work because they are lack of the techniques. She loves now what she does better because she can express herself with more knowledge, she feels ready to bring to canvas her love for Latin American people, their love for their music, culture, colours, suffering, and happiness.
Tania Iraheta
Tania Iraheta - Born in Chile. She is a visual artist and Certified Educator. She has a visual art practice for 30 years and is an instructor and facilitator of workshops “Latinos Painting Brush” Art Studio. This visual art project was started in 2007 and is one of the cultural initiatives that are part of the cultural hub in Casa Maiz. She has received several grants from the Ontario Arts Council which have enabled her to provide classes and paintings workshops for free to the Latin American community.
Carla Casanova
Carla Casanova said: "Art is my favourite language, is international and easy to understand, there is no age for it and you can even do it for free depending on its form, what else could I ask for". My artistic paths started very young but in Canada I made my life choice by studying fine arts at the Toronto School of Arts where I graduated in 1997, I also pursued Graphic Design at Sheridan College and have been working as a graphic designer for the past 15 years, and as an art instructor in private art schools for the past 10 I have been part of various exhibits and art movements since then.
Jaime Leon
Jaime Leon was born in a small town in de Colombian Andes in South America that is why he calls himself an artist from the mountains. Since his early years, Jaime showed a passion for the arts. Jaime moves to Bogota when he was a teenager and there he studied Graphic Design at SENA (National Learning Services) and then at the school of Fine Arts in Bogota. He has travelled in different occasions to the USA, Central America and the Caribbean exhibiting his art. He devoted many years of his life helping people at drug rehabilitation centres applying his artistic knowledge as part of the rehabilitation therapy. “Art to me is a brief reflection of the beauty of creation. Art and beauty are intertwined that is what I try to portray in my work”
Collective 65
Collective 65 is a not-for-profit organization created in 2013 by two experienced Photographers-Artists to promote active living and creativity for adults in their golden years.
Its main program is “Wisdom into Art” which focuses on reducing the current generational technological barriers throughout the basics of photography workshops using their smartphones followed by an exhibit to showcase their final art pieces.
One of the most important aspects of this course is that does not focus only on the technical aspects of it, but the art. By doing this, this course tries to keep seniors away from the risk of dehumanization caused by technology. In addition, they will be able to receive guidance and support by joining “Golden Links Photography Club”.
Encouraging them to develop an artistic vision, their sensibility increases and using the four elements of nature they keep connected mentally and spiritually with mother earth creating a sense of belonging.
Carlos Castano
Carlos Arturo Castano is a Colombian-Canadian photographer who experienced the magic of photography for the first time processing black and white photographs in his father's photo-studio and continues studying in each country he has lived.
With a passion for photography, artistic sensitivity and charisma, he has worked in Colombia, the United States and Canada in various modalities of photography such as social, commercial, editorial and portrait, being this last one the most attractive modality to him and constantly continues to specialize.
Captivated by the beauty of Toronto, and in gratitude for having been welcomed along with his family, he is working on a photographic series called "Good Evening Toronto" as a civic contribution to this great city.
The photograph used in the book "Shared Spaces" of the Pan-American Games 2015, is what gives the name to the collection.
Carlos's photographic work has been recognized and acquired by private collectors and government offices.
Isabel Mercedes Echeverry
Colour and texture excite Isabel and she works both into her art, whether she is using oils, acrylics, printmaking or mixed media to fashion her visions. She has enjoyed learning through workshops taught by wonderfully talented Colombian teachers and has experimented further on her own to make distinctive art in her own style. Isabel decided that moving to the Great Area of Toronto was central to her development in art, providing so much colour and atmosphere to inspire her.
Diana Tabares
Artist and designer, who was captivated by the urban development of his native Medellin, and saw a muse in the different colours, materials, and textures that make up each of the urban constructions.
This new Colombian artist offers us her art full of colour with clean and symmetrical strokes, merging in each canvas the concepts of modern art, architecture and design, thus opening the way to a new proposal in the field of painting.
“I let myself be captivated by the urban development of my city. Inspiring me to use new shapes, colours, materials and textures. I design paintings filled with colour and symmetrical strokes fusing on each the concept of modern art, architecture and design”.
Her work is inspired by the incredible sensations of the modern world, embodied through the development of cities and modern architecture with futuristic and minimalist fusions. Architectural paintings that exceed the limits of conventional, the normal. These pieces are architecture work, products of modern engineering that innovate, and they are unique and can transform an environment in an incomparable way.
Teresa Barroti
Uruguayan-Canadian Teresa Barroti was born in 1945. Ms Barrotti has felt a passion for painting and the arts since a young age and they have always been a part of her life. She studied singing, dance and music from a young age. As a 17-year-old, she graduated as a music teacher from the RUBINSTEIN CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC, Montevideo, Uruguay. After this, she began teaching music for more than ten years in Montevideo, Uruguay. During this time, she also began studying fashion design and drawing. Her keen eye and love of music allowed her to study and draw the movements of classic ballerinas. Ms Barrotti then moved to Toronto, Canada in 1974 and it was during this time that her love of art blossomed. She took fine art classes at Franklin Carmichael Institute concentrating on the watercolour and acrylic media. She was also mentored and took classes with Master Luis Ramirez a renowned Chilean artist. She continued her studies with Pinceles Latinos where the concepts of colouring, watercolour techniques, mixed-media and pop art where refined. She also studied different art techniques such as the pouring technique, the transfer technique, portraiture, still life, landscape, abstract and even the ancient art of veladura. Using all this knowledge combined with her love of music and dance, Ms Barrotti effectively tries to merge her passions together on canvas presenting works of art that have feeling and grace. Finally, Teresa is also an accomplished photographer and her photo titled EL REGRESO was chosen to participate in an art exhibition for the Toronto Pan American Games 2015 as the representative from Uruguay.
Ricardo Hernandez
Ricardo Hernández was born in the City of Santa Ana, El Salvador. Since he was a little boy, he was attracted to the beauty of things: people, life and even by what our consumer society considers ugly. Art, for Ricardo, is the expression of beauty in its different physical forms, and it is also spiritual - at times bringing him through pain and joy. His work has been featured in Los Angeles, Toronto and Montreal. Ricardo is also a published author. His first book, Cerro Negro, was launched at the International Book Fair in the city of Guatemala.
Nellys Garcia
Nellys Garcia is NellysGarciArt, a visual artist who works in oil, acrylic and mixed media, combining contemporary with classic painting techniques, in the style of contemporary realism.
She studied at the School of Visual Art Armando Reverón and The Beija Flor School of Art with the well-known visual artist Miguel Jimenez, and Lineal and Architectural Drawing in INCE, Venezuela. Garcia taught drawing and painting in her art studio in Venezuela.
She is currently very active in the Toronto arts community as an art instructor, employed through North York Arts and as a volunteer at Legacy Collective, Canadian Human Rights International Organization, Canadian Foundation for Education, Bloor Information and Life Skill Center.
She has also participated in Toronto and Venezuela in collective and individual exhibitions, winning The Community Choice Award Opening doors MNLCT Art Exhibition 2017 at Mennonite New Life Organization, Toronto. In 2018, she participated in the Art Connection Program through the City of Toronto. Her work has been featured in various newspapers. She is a member of CARFAC.
Diana Rosa
As a visual artist, Diana Rosa takes inspirations from an alternative upbringing where she closely connected with the natural landscape around her. Born and raised in Cuba shaped her perspective on nature and how humans interact with land, animals and each other. Now living in an urban environment in Ontario, Canada, Diana aims to show our relationship to the world around us through the versatile medium of acrylic paint. She uses sharp brush strokes, contrasting textures, and a variety of acrylic mediums, commenting on our human emotions.
Diana Rosa received her Bachelor of Art in Art History at the East University, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba (1989-1994) and worked as a curator at the Contemporary Art Centre in Holguin, Cuba (1994-2000). Her work has been included in many publications and online periodicals such as Home and Décor Magazine, The Brampton Guardian Newspaper, thsart.com, Toronto Life Magazine, Now Magazine and Suits TV Show (Season 7, Episode 1) July 2017(Appearance of artwork “Sedimentary rock”)
Diana is a full-time studio artist, exhibiting her work in galleries and museums regionally, nationally, and internationally.
Luz Elena Fernandez
Luz Elena studied in Interior Design and Decoration, History of Universal Art in Mexico. While studying, she had the opportunity to learn plastic arts by trying different techniques and crafts that led her to enrich her love for art and paint.
In the year 2000 she immigrate with her family to Canada. Her dedication to her family has been her priority, although her desire to continue learning has allowed her to learn English and get to know the Canadian culture. She has always drawn and continuously takes varied courses of painting to perfect her techniques. She is mother, wife and grandmother.
In 2017 she return with more determination to her vocation for art and painting constantly updating her knowledge and techniques. Her expertise in the use of the color pencil and its variants of use have allowed her to enjoy this technique since childhood. Luz Elena uses mainly this technique in her works on her native land, Mexico.
Gloria Castano
Gloria is a Photographer and community worker educated at George Brown College with a passion for working with women and older adults and has being co-founding three non-for-profit organizations in Canada.
She is a resident of Toronto and is a co-founder of Collective 65 non-profit Organization who serves older adults in a very unique way, using the combination of gerontology skills and the art of photography to keep them active and creative empowering them by reducing technology barriers and making them get more independent.
She is an instructor of “Wisdom into Art” photography program for five years and the last two years the program is running in partnership with the University of Toronto.
Latin American Art Exhibit at the Mississauga Central Library
Casa Cultural Colombiana is pleased to invite the Canadian-Latin community of the GTA to join us to celebrate the Latin American Heritage Month with a magnificent Art Exhibition with the participation of great Latin American talents. Do not miss the opportunity to meet them and know their artistic expression.
Place: Mississauga Central Library / 2nd floor - Art and History
Address: 301 Burnhamthorpe Rd W, Mississauga, ON L5B 3Y3
Date: October 2nd to October 15th, 2018.
Admission: Free
Sponsors: Hispanic Canadian Arts And Cultural Association, Mississauga Central Library and Casa Cultural Colombiana
Invited artists
José Ortega - Ecuador
Jose is originally from Ecuador. He established himself as an illustrator in New York City, he now splits his time between NYC, Toronto, and Barcelona.
He has worked on art commissions for such clients such as Absolut, MTV, Apple Computers, Bloomingdale's, Sony Music, Amnesty International and the New York Times. Jose has been the subject of numerous articles in international art and design journals and has received awards from organizations such as the Society of Illustrators, American Illustration, Print, Communication Arts and Graphis.
Ortega has also designed and completed many public art commissions including a series of mosaic murals for two NYC subway stations and a stained glass window for the Buckingham Hotel. Ortega’s recent projects are a series of murals for the Dundas West neighbourhood in Toronto and postage stamp designs for the US and Ecuadorian postal services.
In 2002 he became co-founder and artistic director of Lula Lounge a live music venue in Toronto showcasing a diverse line-up of upcoming and established artists. Lula Lounge grew out of Open City, a non-profit organization which programmed and promoted many arts events including dance, poetry, visual arts and live music all hosted at Jose’s home. Lula Lounge has become ground-zero of Toronto’s exploding world music scene.
Juana Zuniga - Ecuador
Juana Zuniga is a self-taught artist, her only formal training consisting of a few community art classes in New Jersey. For many years she worked as a seamstress and sample maker in New York's garment district. During that time she saved scraps of beautifully patterned cloth and honed her skills, cutting and piecing together complex patterns. Once retired, Zuniga dedicated herself making intricate quilts and collages for friends and family.
Always experimenting and moving between the media of sculpture, collage, and paint, Zuniga's work is a colourful prism of magical scenes reminiscent of a children's storybook, depicting secret and wonderful gardens made of fabric and paints where snakes and plants dance and sway with wide open eyes.
Growing up in the 30s, Zuniga's childhood was spent in the family garden, a square block in Guayaquil, Ecuador where they cultivated flowers, vegetables, and fruits. There she ran barefoot and wild making her own dolls and toys in her own enchanted garden. She moved to New York with her son Jose in the 70s and now lives in Toronto. Her work has been included in illustration catalogues and group shows in the US and Canada.
Diana Tabares - Colombia
Artist and designer, who was captivated by the urban development of his native Medellin, and saw a muse in the different colours, materials, and textures that make up each of the urban constructions.
This new Colombian artist offers us her art full of colour with clean and symmetrical strokes, merging in each canvas the concepts of modern art, architecture and design, thus opening the way to a new proposal in the field of painting.
“I let myself be captivated by the urban development of my city. Inspiring me to use new shapes, colours, materials and textures. I design paintings filled with colour and symmetrical strokes fusing on each the concept of modern art, architecture and design”.
Her work is inspired by the incredible sensations of the modern world, embodied through the development of cities and modern architecture with futuristic and minimalist fusions. Architectural paintings that exceed the limits of conventional, the normal. These pieces are architecture work, products of modern engineering that innovate, and they are unique and can transform an environment in an incomparable way.