Art … Latino Style
Delta Arts Center opens “Punto De Vista – Latino Perspectives III”
(pictured above: Gustavo De Los Rios discusses his art with an attendee.)
The diversity of Latino art can be seen on the walls of the Delta Arts Center.
The “Punto De Vista – Latino Perspectives III” exhibit kicked off Sept. 5 with a lively reception. The Hispanic Arts Initiative, which uses art and education to raise awareness of Latino culture, is behind the showing.
Nadiyah Quander addresses the large crowd of attendees.
Mayor Allen Joines speaks.
About 250 people, including Mayor Allen Joines, attended the opening. They enjoyed Latin food and were rapt by several live dance performances.
Thirteen North Carolina artists who originally hail from throughout the vast Spanish-speaking world are featured in the exhibit, which is being billed as “A Cultural Journey Through Art.”
There have been two previous “Punto De Vista- Latino Perspectives” exhibits; both were held downtown at the Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts. Hispanic Arts Initiative Director Maria Sánchez-Boudy said the change of venue to the Delta Arts Center, which traditionally focuses on African American art, would help to bring attention the sometimes overlooked influence that Africa has had on Latino culture.
Hispanic Arts Initiative Director Maria Sánchez-Boudy (left) with Delta Arts Center Executive Director Nadiyah Quander.
“We wanted to explore the cultural heritage between Latinos and African Americans,” she said. “We do have a shared cultural heritage.”
Delta Arts Executive Director Nadiyah Quander is hopeful that the exhibit will start to build a bridge between the two cultures.
“We’re really looking to show solidarity between the Latino and African American communities as we continue to co-exist and co-habitat … we’re living in the same neighbors, and we want to show unity between the two communities,” she said.
The art wasn’t just on the walls at the opening. A vividly-attired Jubelin Ramirez dazzled with her Salsa and Samba performances. John Archer and Ela Feliz did Merengue and Bachata routines. Daniel “Oseiku” Diaz, well-know for his African drumming, provided the dancers with musical accompaniment.
Jubelin Ramirez dances as Oseiku drums.
John Archer and Ela Feliz heat up the dance floor.
The Hispanic Arts Initiative is planning to launch a concert series next year that will feature live music and dancers, Sánchez-Boudy said. With all of its programs, the Initiative strives to drive home the point that the Latino community is vast.
“Everyone thinks we come from one country, when we come from 22,” said Sánchez-Boudy, who is from Cuba.
Punto De Vista artist Diana Isabel Vásquez-Zurita came with her family from Ecuador in 2009. She graduated from Salem College in 2013 with a degree in studio art and works at a printing press while she is starting her own web design firm, Digital Minds Studio.
She’s had her paintings displayed at several exhibits. One of her three paintings on display at Delta Arts was sold during the opening. It was only the second time she’d sold a piece.
Isabel Vásquez-Zurita with some of her art.
“When I do art, I don’t feel like I’m making art for myself; I’m just making art for other people to enjoy and see,” she said.
Sculptures and paintings by Durham artist Kayla Garcia are on display. Her work focuses on a timely subject – domestic violence. The Meredith College graduate said she is a full-time artist on top of her full-time day job. She plans to open her own gallery, Kayla Rose Studios, next year.
Kayla Garcia with two of her pieces.
“My father is Mexican American and my mother is Irish, and I’m very happy to know (Hispanic Arts) asked me to join,” said the Texas native. “I love the culture, the Latino culture in general, and also showing the rest of the world what these people from all these different countries are doing.”
Gustavo De Los Rios, a native of Columbia, has two large octagonal surrealist paintings on display. A professional artist for more then three decades, he currently has a studio at Artspace in Raleigh. He said making a living as artist can have its ups and downs.
“It’s like being a monk; It’s being like a priest – you have to have faith,” he said with a laugh.
He said he loved the variety of pieces and artists at the Delta show, his first in Winston-Salem. He said the exhibit showcases the large Latino arts community that is starting to gain more exposure and recognition.
“Ten years ago, you would never see a Hispanic show in Raleigh. Now, the whole thing is starting to flourish,” he said.
Quander, whose been Delta director since March, was over the moon about the large, diverse crowd at the opening. She says it showed that the community wants to support Delta Arts when given a chance.
The Delta Arts Center is located at 2611 New Walkertown Rd. and is open from is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Saturday. Learn more at www.deltaartscenter.org or by calling 336-722-2625.
