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Hialeah, Florida - Mayor Julio Robaina and the City Council, in their efforts to expand the City of Hialeah's Art Initiative, held the second Cuban art exhibit - Amor al Arte, in which 59 art pieces from painters, sculptors, and caricaturists where on display at the Raul L. Martinez Government Center at 501 Palm Avenue.
The exhibit was comprised of 55 paintings and four sculptures from the collection of Hialeah residents Ester and Gustavo Orta and Roberto Blanco. The Orta's organized the exhibit, which chronicles the history of Cuban art through pieces like the one made by Manuel Vega López, "Viernes Santo," which dates back to the year 1916. The exhibit also featured pieces by other fellow artists. The event highlighted mediums of academic, vanguard and contemporary pieces, as well as sculptures, caricatures, and historic documents and photos, which are all part of Cuban art history.
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| Roberto Blanco, Mayor Julio Robaina,
Dr. NunzioMainieri, Cundo Bermúdez and Gustavo Orta. | Cundo Bermúdez, left, Gustavo Orta, right, looking at the works of art. |
Those who attended were given a complimentary 124 page catalogue that included photos and liner notes of all the artists and their works. "Amor al Arte was the continuation of a tradition that pays homage to Cuban art, which will never end, and which began in 2006, in the City of Hialeah, with the Exposition 'Azul que te quiero," Gustavo Orta explained.
Mayor Julio Robaina was "very proud" to present yet another art exhibit of Cuban art within the City, further expanding his desire to preserve a love for the arts within the hearts of all the citizens. "The effort to preserve and continue our Cuban heritage & culture is a responsibility that corresponds to all of us, and one that we think , in the long run, is going to be acknowledged and admired by future generations," expressed the Mayor.
The exhibit was dedicated to the memory of Rolando Blanco, who died in October 2007, and who was not only a beloved citizen of Hialeah, but a prosperous entrepreneur, family man, political activist, and above all, a devout admirer of the arts.
| Gustavo Orta, left, and Councilman José (Pepe) Yedra, right,
appreciating one of the paintings. |
Throughout the evening, art lovers were able to appreciate the talented art pieces of artists such as Antonio Rodríguez Morey, Eduardo Abela, Mirta Cerra, Fidelio Ponce de León, Victor Manuel García, Cundo Bermúdez, René Portocarrero, Félix Ramos, Rafael Soriano, Tony López, Roberto Estopiñan,
Alfredo Lozano, Enrique Gay García, Héctor Molné, Antonio Vidal, Dr. Nunzio Mainieri, Adigio Benítez and many more.
Many of the artists, whose pieces were on display, also attended the exhibit, however, it was the presence of one particular artist which honored the City of Hialeah the most. Mayor Robaina felt extremely privileged to welcome 93 year old artist, Cundo Bermúdez, to the exposition. Bermúdez, who is considered a master of the arts, is currently the Cuban painter with the most significance still alive today.
Though the exhibit only lasted approximately three hours, it was a huge success, receiving over 150 spectators. "Almost all one-day exhibits have their own uniqueness; they carry their own distinctive quality that makes each one special. The fact that these pieces are revealed for one night only, makes the evening that much more memorable, almost the same as when a brilliant comet pierces the night sky..." expressed José Luis Fariña, one of the artists which participated in the exhibition.
Ester y Gustavo Orta felt very pleased and content with the success of the event. "As we previously mentioned, this is merely the beginning of this massive effort, and we will continue to collect all the pieces that take us through our art history," explained Ester Orta.
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