RI Latino Arts Opens New Gallery in Providence — Inside Art with Michael Rose

RI Latino Arts Opens New Gallery in Providence — Inside Art with Michael Rose

 

Providence is sorely in need of more spaces to see art close up and in person. Thanks to the hard work of the team at Rhode Island Latino Arts (RILA), a new gallery space has opened to celebrate local Latinx artists. This exciting venue is La Galería del Barrio and can be found inside the Southside Cultural Center on Broad Street.

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The first show in the space, titled A Soulful Sazón, was organized by RILA’s Marta V. Martínez with support from SCC’s David Sánchez. It features works by Afro-Latino artists Eva Jimenez, René Gómez, María Payano, Rafael Trinidad, Niko Tolentino, and Danielle Ozuna. The works on view range in content and technique, while exemplifying diverse viewpoints and experiences. Where an artist like Trinidad is exhibiting expressive and richly painted works that verge on total abstraction, Gómez is showing off crisp pop-inspired artworks. Payano is showing colorful paintings while Ozuna is sharing quiet drawings. Tolentino’s contributions are a series of brushy paintings inspired by the seasons that incorporate bold figures, and works by Jimenez commemorate the Mirabel sisters.

 

 

RILA’s new gallery is an addition to its already intensive list of programmatic commitments, which includes an established gallery space in Central Falls. But the importance of another physical venue for display of artwork by Rhode Island’s Latinx community cannot be overstated. This gallery is a great addition to the regional art scene and merits hearty support from all Rhode Islanders.

 

Speaking of the import of the gallery to RILA’s mission, Founder and Executive Director Marta V. Martínez says, “By featuring works of art by Latinx artists, La Galería del Barrio will help build a legacy by documenting and archiving the works of Latino artists. This falls in line with RILA’s mission of preserving the cultural legacy and historical contributions of the Latino community for future generations.”

 

 

She continues, “Additionally, RILA is dedicated to supporting not only young students, but those Latino artists who are serious about being artists. The gallery can play a pivotal role in discovering and promoting emerging Latino artists, providing them with opportunities to exhibit their work and gain recognition in the art world.”

 

The gallery space is generous and is able to accommodate large-scale works in a variety of media. Being within Southside Cultural Center puts this exhibition venue at the heart of a thriving community and promises to offer opportunities for connection and interchange that go beyond the aspirations of a typical retail gallery space. It is worth noting that there is plenty of free parking at the gallery, and in addition to regular hours Wednesday through Friday from 4-6 pm, the venue will take part in Gallery Night Providence in June.

 

 

Outlining the mission of the gallery space, Martínez explains, “Such a gallery provides a dedicated platform to celebrate and showcase the rich and diverse cultures within the Latino community. This representation is crucial in highlighting the unique perspectives, traditions, and narratives that Latino artists bring to the art world. Such a gallery can offer educational programs, workshops, and exhibitions that explore the history, heritage, and contributions of Latino artists. This can help educate the broader public about the Latino experience and its impact on art and society. Latino artists have historically been underrepresented in mainstream art galleries and institutions. A dedicated space ensures that their voices and stories are heard and appreciated, contributing to a more inclusive and diverse art landscape in Providence.”

 

RILA has long preserved and shared the stories of the state’s Latinx communities, and this new exhibition space adds something new to the organization and the cultural scene at large. The current show continues through July 25, with future events also in the works.

 

 

Looking forward, Martínez sees the gallery space as an important venue for novel programs that tie into RILA’s important work in the community. She says, “When organizing this first exhibition, I immediately considered how we could use the space to support bilingual programming that connects young artists with established ones. For example, this year we will offer our first Summer Art Camp, where the gallery will play a key role in introducing middle schoolers to various Latino artists and their diverse genres. The current exhibition showcases paintings created with watercolor, acrylic, graphite, and mixed media. Students will have the opportunity to observe these different styles up close, and the instructor will provide art supplies so they can explore these art forms themselves.”

 

 

Rhode Island Latino Arts’ La Galería del Barrio is located inside the Southside Cultural Center at 393 Broad Street in Providence. The space is open to the public Wednesdays through Fridays from 4-6 pm each day and will also participate in Gallery Night Providence on June 20. For details, visit www.rilatinoarts.org, or email [email protected].