It is during these days of September when the “Fiestas Patrias” take place in Mexico.  I remember being at the plaza in my hometown  to celebrate Independence Day. On that night, the plaza is full of people and you can smell the “guajolotes” and “enchiladas” that the senoras prepare on the street for the passersby. It is also a big tradition to go to dance that night and party all night long.  At midnight everybody gets together to shout “Viva!” to the people’s names who gave us sovereignty. Meanwhile, here in Cleveland, “Hispanic Heritage Month” has already started; movies, workshops, storytelling, art shows, cultural festivals, dance, music and all the Hispanic expression fill almost three months of activities. Cuyahoga Community College produces the poster with the Hispanic Heritage Month calendar listing all the events.                                                                                                                                                                                                     This year I had the opportunity to be part of the image featured on the poster. It was a collaboration between Ana Luisa  and me. Ana Luisa is a Mexican artist who designs and creates papier mache “Catrinas” that are a traditional folk art form in Mexico. These are some of the image proposals and the final selection (the last image seen below) for the Festival Hispano Cleveland 2008.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

     I have had the opportunity to be part of the Latino Arts Ohio 2008 exhibit at the City of Upper Arlington, Ohio. If you live in Upper Arlington or close to Columbus, Ohio please take a look at this great show. There is only one week left. The Concourse Gallery is located in the Municipal Services Center, 3600 Tremont Rd. Hours M-F 8-5 p.m. Admision Free.                                                                                                                                                                                                                I would like to thank  Eagle Gatins and Elena Osterwalder who curated this show. The exhibition showcases a variety of artwork by the following artists: Alejandro Rivera, Ana Luisa Sanchez, Elsie Sanchez, Hector Castellanos, Juan Granados, Mabi Ponce de Leon, Micaela de Vivero, Rafael Valdivieso and Wilfredo Calvo-Bono.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           The master Rodolfo Vazquez, flautist from Mexico, enhanced the opening exhibit with his quartet “El Viento Calido.” In addition, Latino poets Juan Armando Rojas, Mauricio Espinoza and Eduardo Jaramillo presented original poems inspired by the exhibit.       Take a look at this event on this short video.