Artwork by
Hispanic-American Artists Bastian Juarez, Julio Mateo, Luisa Mesa & Kiki Valdes Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month

TALLAHASSEE, FL -- In celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 – October 15), Secretary of State Sue M. Cobb announces an exhibition of paintings in the Capitol Rotunda by South Florida Hispanic Artists Bastian Juarez, Julio Mateo, Luisa Mesa and Kiki Valdes.

Organized by the Division of Cultural Affairs, this exhibition is part of a statewide celebration initiated by Governor Jeb Bush to commemorate five centuries of Hispanic history, culture, and prosperity in Florida. 

"The Department of State is pleased to partner with the Governor’s office to promote the special celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month," said Secretary of State Sue Cobb.  "We are very fortunate to be able to exhibit these selected South Florida artists in our Capitol.  Each artist brings a unique talent, with work that is rich in color, texture, originality and visual imagery."

Bastian Juarez and Julio Mateo are students at the MacArthur South Senior High School in Dade County. They participate in "Pupil's Perception", a program administered by ArtSouth.  During school hours, each week, a targeted group of 20 at-risk art students housed 25 miles away in alternative school, MacArthur South, travel to ArtSouth to study and practice the traditional vanishing artsof their Latino and Caribbean heritages with multi-ethic resident ArtSouth artists.

After being trained in these various indigenous artistic customs, student apprentices subsequently teach their newly acquired skills to underserved segments of Homestead including profoundly physically and emotionally handicapped youth, sick and elderly citizens and migrant youngsters. Resulting artwork created at ArtSouth is framed by students and used to enliven the appearance of Downtown Homestead. In addition to community murals, the student's ethnic artwork is exhibited at fairs, festivals, conferences, and businesses throughout Miami-Dade County.  ArtSouth is a not-for-profit Artist's community located in Homestead, FL. 

Luisa Maria Mesa is a Cuban-American artist born in Havana, Cuba who has been living in Miami since the age of two.  Although having lived in Spain, Venezuela and Puerto Rico, she considers Miami home. 

Luisa earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree (magna cum laude) at Florida International University and has exhibited in numerous group shows in and outside of Miami.  She recently had a one-person show at Diaspora Vibe Gallery in Miami, Florida in June of 2006.  Luisa’s artistic expression is informed by her interest in the transpersonal (beyond the self or ego) and explores the idea of a microcosm within a macrocosm.  Luisa states, "The act of repetition and layering in my work requires discipline, concentration and focus.  These three components are essential tools for cultivating and maintaining balance in my life; they have become a practice or ritual that is essential to me."

The son of Cuban refugees, Luis Enrique "Kiki" Valdes was born in Miami, FL. As a young child, Kiki struggled throughout his elementary school career. Finally, his teachers arranged a conference with his parents. Kiki's teachers had seen him doodling in the corners of his papers, and noticed he was gifted. As a result, Kiki's parents decided to enroll him in the New World School for the Arts.  He later attended the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA).

Kiki Valdes is contemporary. His work is fun to look at and although it is not easy to interpret, it is fun to try to understand. It is complex in all of its simplicity. His themes are simple to understand, especially for people who share a similar background. Among many other honors, Kiki was asked by the young, first-time curators of the Honors College at Florida International University to participate in their class art exhibit project, he is frequently asked to paint live at different shows, festivals, night clubs and restaurants, recently, painting live at the Harvard /Princeton Cuban Conference that took place in Princeton, New Jersey.

For further information, contact Sandy Shaughnessy at 850/245-6480 or visit:

www.florida-arts.org