“The coexistence of increasing groups of Latino communities relfects the fussion of the new perspectives of art”, said Charles Cushing, a member of the organizing committee of an exposition reuniting 18 Hispanic painters of the area of Philadelphia for the first time ever, en one of the oldest galleries in the US.

The local Latino community of artists, as part of Spanish Month, presents its works of art at Philly’s Sketch Club gallery.

“The exhibit reveals the different styles of the artists, who not only describe their culture but also present their avant-garde trend”, Cushing, the curator, commented.

He added that in recent years Philadelphia has become a strategic area for Latino art currents.

From August 31 through September 24, these painters will be presenting different styles and currents.

The curator informed that the Sketch Club was founded in 1860 and has a significant cultural tradition.

“From the beginning, it became a forum of young and prominent artists from Philadelphia”, he added.

The exhibit is free and will include different events celebrating Spanish Month.  For more information, call 215 545 7140 or visit  www.sketchclub.org

Alberto Becerra

Colombian painter and creator of “musí grafía”, characterized by the combination of dimensional art and music, will present six of his paintings at the Sketch Club.  As a resident of Philadelphia for 45 years now, he has devoted himself to conserving Hispanic art through the annual exposition with a cultural emphasis within the City School District. His persistence in keeping the art of his home country alive, he has engaged in taking his works to various countries, his native Colombia, among them.  For Becerra, though he has 50 other paintings, his favorites include “El clarinet de Saúl” (Saul’s clarinet) dedicated to a romantic poet that played the clarinet; “Madurita”, dedicated to his mother, who is also a painter; and “Lunas de Nadie” (No ones Moons), dedicated to his three-year-old granddaughter.

Dora Becerra

Confesses to be passionate about painting acrylic landscapes and at 79 years of age this artistic expression keeps her busy within her semi-solitude.  For this Colombian, age is not a barrier in transcending the limits of creativity since for many years her creative works consisted of the bride and sweet sixteen dresses that she made for her clients.  Her skillful hands are responsible for the perfect lines of her landscapes that have been formed throughout her lifetime, inside her memory.  Dora, who will present four paintings, began painting two years ago, moved by her desire to do more than housework, and has already painted over 30 paintings, which she has presented in cultural programs of the city’s School District.  A peculiarity of this artist is not only her age, but also her optimism towards life: “I don’t have to stay home and alone, just because I am elderly.  I am an optimist and thus see things with positivism and that is reflected in my paintings.  One of my favorites is “cuerdas de la luz” (Light Strings) which I created using many strings of that material to symbolize energy and a passion for life.”

Luz Selenia Salas

Puerto Rican photographer, whose lens captures people in their ordinary ways of life.  She remembers that when she graduated from high school she bought a camera and began practicing her passion for photography over 36 years ago.  She now combines her work as the Human Resources secretary at the Philadelphia School District and her desire to capture the social reality of this changing metropolis.  She confesses that though many people have asked her why she paints those living on the streets and invade her privacy, she does so “because they are part of the abandoned community and I don’t want them to be forgotten”, Salas explained.  Her photos have been used in some local magazines and newspapers since she enjoys promoting the Latino and inclusive Latino community, in her words, “At times if a youth does something important inside the community to stand out, I take photos and send them to the media for their publication, even if I am not paid because promoting the positive side of our youths is, for me, of utter importance (…) You see the negative concept they at times have of us”, Salas assured.

Unless she is mistaken, she calculates that she has taken over 10 thousand potos throughout these years.  One of her favorites is the photo called “Los Timbales del Tito Puentes Jurior”.  Her love of photograph has led her to travel to her dear island where she recently captured the feast of St. Eloisa with her lens.  In addition to her photos, her 5 children and 6 grandchildren are also her pride and joy.

Juan Gómez

With his pencil and paper, this artists born to Puerto Rican and Dominican parents draws the figures of beings or objects that impress him.  Women, politics and personal experiences serve as his inspiration.

Gomez will present two of his most recent works.

“Collector”, a work performed with acrylics on paper, and “Surprise”, a work in pencil.

Drawing is not new to him since he has been at it for over 30 years.  This love of art led him to continue studying at the PA Art Academy, where he perfected his style. Uears ñater. Years later, he received the Creason scholarship, from the hands of the PA Fine Arts Academy.  When he is not drawing, Gómez works twice a week at the Nueva Vida behavior clinic, teaching students yearning to learn how to express their artistic capacities as a means of relaxation.  For Gómez, art is not isolated but rather the interaction with society is an enigma that he can reflect in his paintings.”