Visiones de Identidad (Visions of Identity), A Latinx Perspective—Online and at the West Orange Arts Center

Visiones de Identidad (Visions of Identity), A Latinx Perspective

A Hybrid Art Experience and Celebration of Hispanic Culture, Online and at the West Orange Arts Center

Curated by Maria Estrela and Rey Arvelo

WHEN: 10/16/2020 - 11/28/2020;  Artists Reception: Sat., Nov. 7, 2020, 2-6pm (Timed Entry RSVP required). Attendees are required to social distance and wear face coverings at all times.     

WHERE: West Orange Arts Center, 551 Valley Road, West Orange; an online gallery is on view at  www.woarts.org.  

RSVP required to visit the West Orange Arts Center: info@woarts.org
Hours posted on www.facebook.com/woac.org 

The West Orange Arts Council (WOAC) presents "Visiones de Identidad (Visions of Identity), A Latinx Perspective."  It is the first in-person exhibit at the West Orange Arts Center since the gallery closed in March 2020 due to COVID-19.

The show, curated by Maria Estrela and Rey Arvelo, is designed to celebrate Hispanic culture while featuring the work of West Orange Arts Council member artists from the local area.

Participating Artists: Rey Arvelo, Josephine Barreiro, Alberto Bossa, Diana Candelejo, Maria Luis Estrela, Renzo Florez, Stanley Gavidia, Joanna Lopez, Carlos Mateu, Qaasim Munoz, Sylvia Padilla, Fausto Sevila

The West Orange Arts Center opened on October 16 for in-person visits (timed-entry appointments required). 

Maria Estrela is Bloomfield's Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Advisor. "The arts have a way of helping create a space where everyone feels welcome and has a voice, "  states Estrela.  She is also involved in Newark Arts and the WOAC, where she teaches collage workshops for the community.

Reinaldo (Rey) Arvelo volunteers his time and talent as WOAC's gallery manager while working in the education department at the Newark Museum of Art. "With the current pandemic many art organizations are using social media and other creative ways to help promote artists and to keep connected with our community," he says.  "The important thing is to not dwell so much on the 'how' but get it out there and continue to evolve."

This program is made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts and administered by the Essex County Division of Cultural and Historic Affairs and the Northern New Jersey Community Foundation COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund.