Marielito

October 27, 2010

Last month the Owen’s Community College Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery had an opening for nationally acclaimed artist Arturo Rodriguez. Arturo was born in Cuba and as a young child came to the U.S. during the 1980 Mariel boatlift.

Rodriguez’s paintings, prints and mixed media are a mix of Cuban and American cultural imagery. While the underlying story could be considered pretty heavy, I might use the word “whimsey” when describing the show… a testament to his keen childhood memory?

Arturo and I met a couple years ago at a BBQ and shortly realized we both attended the same same school in Miami, although at different times and in very different programs (he was in the art high school and I was enrolled in the art college). SMALL WORLD!

The “Marielito” exhibit is currently being showcased in the Library Gallery on the Findlay-area Campus, Oct. 27 – Nov. 19.

Tags: arturo rodriguez, Owens