Downey Arts Coalition to have heavy presence at Santa Fe Springs Art Fest
Members of the Downey Arts Coalition at the Downey Theatre. (Courtesy photo)
Following its recent exhibit at the Downey Theatre, I’m excited to see the Downey Arts Coalition’s (DAC) return to the Santa Fe Springs Art Fest this Saturday, April 26, from 3-11 pm at Heritage Park.
Heritage Park is a historical site, once the estate of Marie Ranklin Clarke who played a key role in the city’s cultural legacy which continues today with this annual festival.
The festival is free to the public, designed for all ages, and family-friendly.
Santa Fe Springs supports this massive art festival featuring art, music, dance, film, performance art, workshops, food, vendors, a drone show, and community groups through their Arts In Public Places funding, sponsorships, community organizations and civic funds.
There are three stages and a DJ. It’s a great place to spend some time with family or friends. There is something for everyone to enjoy.
DAC’s exhibit is highlighted on the festival map at the Artist’s Alley. It is the work of longtime curator and artist Anthony Hernandez. Hernandez has a BA in Art History. He is joined by artist and curator Ronny Flores and they have curated more than 50 exceptional art pieces, along with other items of interest. All of the artwork is exciting and affordable.
Flores is also exhibiting seven of her own pieces. A cancer survivor, she uses her colorful painting as therapy. She is a prolific and frequent exhibitor at art festivals throughout the Southland. Her artwork is inspired by her Mexican heritage and other Latino themes.
At last year’s Art Fest, three of my favorite DAC artists — Lindsay Parks, Sean Waldron and Ronny Flores — were ribbon winners in the juried exhibits.
FEATURED ARTIST: HECTOR SILVA
I first saw Hector Silva’s work more than a decade ago. I’m eager to see it again.
Silva is a self-taught artist based in Los Angeles who has been producing work for more than 45 years. Born in Ocotlan, Jalisco, Mexico, he moved to the United States at the age of 17. He began drawing in his late 20s when he discovered his own talent. He created his first portrait in 1982 of Lucille Ball. Somehow a print reached her hands and she contacted Silva to acquire the original in 1984. This marked the beginning of his commercial career.
Today, Silva's work is collected internationally, and has received acclaim in the U.S. and abroad.
Living in Los Angeles with its rich Latino/Chicano culture, Silva draws from the Latino tradition. Among his influences are religious iconography, Frida Kahlo, M. C. Escher, Tom of Finland, and Chicano prison art. He explores themes of cultural identities. His colors are vivid. Truly remarkable work. It jumps off the white canvas.
Silva says “I want my work to be accessible, always giving the viewer a way into the image. I feel that “high art” often excludes people, and I am strongly against that. I think art should invite people in, and engage them in a conversation…”
FEATURED ARTIST: PINCHI MICHI
I have some of Pinchi Michi’s colorful art in my office. Very expressive and uplifting.
Michi Taylor, better known in the art world as Pinchi Michi, is widely respected throughout the Los Angeles area and well known for her colorful and expressive style. She has exhibited her artworks throughout California since 1998. She learned early on that art was meant to reach directly to the people, and that any environment was made fuller and brighter for it. Her art is highly influenced by her Mexican-American culture and she loves to paint with bold colors and representing her passion for music, people, mystery and folk art.
NEWEST ARTIST: DEVANSHI PUROHIT
Devanshi Purohit is a pleasant surprise. She exhibited with DAC for the first time at their recent Downey Theatre exhibit. An incredibly talented visual artist, Purohit has a recent MA in art from Cal State Los Angeles. Devanshi reconstructs traditional Indian miniature Paintings. Her series of paintings present a combination of traditional Indian and contemporary painting methods using symbols and motifs, architectural structures, and natural scenes. However, her paintings maintain the richness and the beauty of the classic Indian Miniature Painting style.
The Downey Arts Coalition exhibit includes additional exceptional new artwork by local artists including some of my favorites such as Jasmine Hernandez, Liliana Villanua, Thurayya Hernandez, Miriam Alonzo, Roxana Garcia, Griselda Medina, Lindsay Parks, Sean Waldron, Mario Solarzano, Oksana Gutierrez, Fano Gutierrez, Jorge Del Toro, and Carolina Del Toro.
All you have to do is show up and have a good time. It’s a great way to spend a Saturday.