|
Beck Center
celebrates Hispanic Heritage
Arooj Ashraf, La Prensa Correspondent
Beck Center for the Arts
in Lakewood is featuring a vibrant exhibition of work by local
Latino artists to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. The opening
reception on Sept. 14, 2012 launched the month long exhibition
featuring prominent artists: |
Susan Gallagher, Mari
Galinado DaSilva,
Dr. Maria Pujana, and Cindy Einhouse |
|
Augusto Bordelios, Bruno Casiano , Hector Castellanos , María
Dejesús Paz, Gabriel González, Angelica Pozo , María Pujana ,
Alejandro Rivera, Dante Rodríguez, Bess Rodríguez Richard, Will
Sánchez, José Vásquez, and Hector Vega.
The featured exhibit includes prints, graphic design,
photography, sculpture, and Pre-Columbian artifact replica
jewelry. Cindy Einhouse, President of the Beck Center,
described the exhibition as one of the most colorful and vibrant
featured at the Center. She said the Center is committed to
expanding its collaborations and cultural diversity through
participation and exhibits. Along with supporting and
highlighting the work of Latino artists who paint a vivid
mélange of talent, an ongoing partnership has been established
with Esperanza Inc., Cleveland.
Ed Gallagher,
Director of Education at the Beck Center, said all children
should have access to creative outlets, and the programs allow
youth to explore mediums through music, theatre, drawing, and
sculpture. Arts As A Peaceful Solution is a one-day
program funded by the National Education Association. Schools
organize field-trips to the Beck Center and spend several hours
immersed in various art forms that they choose. Gallagher said
expression through art adds a dimension of communication and an
outlet that children may not be used to but develop strength in.
“They can use the concepts of using art in personal conflict
resolution, preventing bullying or expressing themselves,” he
said. Collaboration with Esperanza expands the reach of the
program and services and Gallagher hopes enrich opportunities
for the youth, “We have focused on the gifted students but there
is a whole spectrum of others who can appreciate the arts.”
Gallagher
said in a previous seminar, youth created superheroes and
discussed why their special powers were unique. The program is
extensive; it provides the traditional and contemporary outlets
from visual arts, pottery to hip-hop dancing. He added the arts
help youth with more than just expression of thought but create
a sense of worth when their work is displayed, recognized, and
appreciated.
Nearly 150 students from Esperanza will participate in the
program. Along-side the opening reception for the established
artists, students from Esperanza displayed their masks,
handprints, and design work they created during a summer program
with STEM Academy and American Greetings.
Kristina Haddad,
Esperanza
program coordinator,
said attendance was always the highest the day students were
expected to visit American Greetings. “This truly gave the kids
a voice, helped them relate to their peers,” she said.
Haddad added the middle school students were thrilled to be
featured at the same time as the established artists and talk to
them about their ideas. “They cannot wait to be back,” she said.
For many students, this was their first chance to meet a
professional artist and to understand some of the creative
opportunities that the work-world offers.
|
