About the exhibit How We Got Here | Cómo Llegamos Aquí
Guatemalan migrants and descendants make up the second largest Latino group in Rhode Island. To celebrate both Latino Heritage Month (Sept 15-Oct 15) and Guatemala's independence (Sept 15), this exhibit will feature stories, prose and poetry, artifacts and belongings, art, and other creations by Guatemalans living in RI that tell the story of how we got here.
Opening Night: Sat. Sept. 14, 2024 from 4:00-6:00 PM
free & open to the public
On view September 14 - October 27, 2024
Featured Artists -
Magda León
she/her
@MagdaLeonArte
Living a life on the borderland, I have become an outsider, an immigrant, seeing the world through a double lens. This journey hasn’t been easy, facing challenges as I moved between two countries, two cultures, two languages, two economic classes, two everything. I often feel caught in a never ending state of “in-betweenness,” not fully belonging anywhere. Still holding hope in my heart, seeking to reconcile these worlds.
Andrea Rojas
she/her/ella
@AndreaMRojas_
I've lived in Providence for 25 years. My mom and I moved to Providence from Chiquimula, Guatemala to join my dad who had migrated to the U.S. in 1989. Since then, we've only lived in two neighborhoods: Olneyville and Mt Pleasant. I'm a very nostalgic person, so it's no surprise that I became the keeper of family photographs, some of which are on display as part of this gallery.
Domingo Pablo
he/him
@DomingoPabloArt
Domingo Pablo is an artist, illustrator, and designer based in Rhode Island. Pablo was born in Guatemala and moved to RI as a teenager. He is trilingual; a native speaker of K'iche', the Mayan language of Guatemala, Spanish and English. He graduated with a BFA in Illustration from the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) in 2023. He loves to create artworks of the imaginary world, personal experience, memory, and cultural backgrounds in illustration, painting, and 3D art. Pablo has exhibited his work at the Woods Gerry Gallery, ISB Gallery, The Providence Art Club, La Galería del Pueblo, The Mana Contemporary, NJ and The American Museum of Natural History, NYC.
Julio D. Samayoa
he/him
@ScuffedPaper
I am an elementary school facilitator and also spend time doing research on my roots. I am the son of two Guatemalan immigrants and take pride in being a Rhode Islander with Guatemalan heritage. My work is to add heritage subtly and intertwine Americana.
Cynthia Munrayos
she/her/ella
@Lit.by.Mun
I was born in Guatemala and brought to the U.S. at the age of 1. I am the second of three children, and was the only one born in Guatemala City. While I do not remember my literal journey to the states because I was only 1 year old, I very much remember the Guatemalan household I lived in. Having visited my family there every summer, I’m deeply grateful for the constant reminder of our roots.
Happening alongside this exhibit, we're showcasing artworks by a group of 4 local artists. When you visit our gallery between September 14-October 27, you'll have the opportunity to explore both bodies of work.
Featured Artists -
Robert Snowden
@Robert_Snowden_Art
I am a mixed media artist. I work with materials that dry quickly, such as acrylic paint, spray paint, and markers. My work is abstract and I want the viewer to have their own experience.
Thomas Terceira
he/him
@Thomas_Terceira
Thomas Terceira is a craftsman, designer and artist. Thomas earned a BS in Crafts Design from FSU and a certificate in print design from RISD. He works in collage, jewelry, and other media. His designs have appeared in Rattle, Glassworks, and other literary Journals. His art has been exhibited locally, nationally, and internationally.
Gabriela Diaz Garcia
she/her
I am a local artist based in Providence, Rhode Island. As the founder of GBYART, my brand embodies the spirit of artistic freedom, where creativity knows no bounds. My preferred mediums are acrylic and oil paint, and through them, I find my voice. My art is a mix of abstract and realism, aiming to stir up deep feelings and get people thinking.
Cicek Beeby
she/her
Cicek’s art focuses on inner portraits of womanhood, gender, and sexuality, as well as her Turkish-born American identity. Self-taught in art practice, she holds degrees (B.A, Ph.D) in Art History and Archaeology. In her current work, she experiments with needlework on paintings-this is an homage to her cultural heritage and to generations of women in her family who worked with threads all their lives. For inspiration, she researches Turkish woven arts, ceramics, and manuscript illustration.