Latino arts celebration: Saiz collection debuts Friday, De Colores Sunday
October 25, 2013
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula Times
It will be a weekend of celebrating cultural arts with the debut of two exhibits including one of the most famed Latino art shows in Southern California.
The 20th Annual De Colores Art Show exhibit showcasing Latino art, culture and icons will open Sunday, October 27, 4 to 6 p.m. with a gala reception at the Santa Paula Art Museum, 117 N. 10th St.
The exhibit will show the works of 20 acclaimed artists in this juried show featuring meaningful and vibrant artworks that reflect both traditional and contemporary Latino themes.
Founded by Xavier “Big X” Montes in honor of labor activists Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta the exhibit started in the Depot, grew to a street festival and in recent years returned to its roots as a more intimate celebration. The current grouping continues the legacy of the De Colores Art Show as a meaningful and vibrant narrative full of character, passion and color. Andrea Vargas-Mendoza is Montes’ successor for De Colores, which illustrates the long history and many layers of Latino culture, including traditional and contemporary iconography, environments filled with vibrant color, a search for identity and most importantly, family.
Refreshments and hors d’oeuvres will be served. The De Colores Music Group and the museum’s strings program students, led by Montes-also a noted harpist, guitarist and children’s music instructor-will perform.
Admission is $10 and free for students. Email info@santapaulaartmuseum.org or call 805-525-5554 for more information.
For more notable art you won’t want to miss the acclaimed “Chicano Art Collection of Ben Saiz” curated by Montes that will debut Friday evening at the Ventura College Santa Paula Campus.
The reception will be held October 25 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the campus, 957 Faulkner Road.
Montes curates pieces from the collection of Saiz, Professor of Chicano Studies at Ventura College.
The artwork reflects the cultural, historical and political struggles of the community. In addition, signed pieces of Diego Rivera, David Alfaro Siqueiros and Jose Clemente Orozco will be on display in the show that continues through December 18.
Gallery hours are Monday through Thursday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
