Reception Held for Three Artists Transplanted from Mexico to Mamaroneck

review by Julia Sperry & Myra Hafetz; photography by Myra Hafetz

 

Laurentino Nava

(April 28, 2004) The talents of three artists transplanted from Mexico to Mamaroneck were on display Sunday, April 25 at a reception for the show, “Migrant Voices/Voces Peregrinas, at Larchmont Art on Palmer Avenue in Larchmont. Two of the artists, many local dignitaries and a constant flow of

Town Supervisor Valerie O'Keeffe with artists Laurentino Nava and Ramón Ibarra

visitors appeared to celebrate the show, which is jointly sponsored by the Hispanic Resource Center of Larchmont-Mamaroneck and the Mamaroneck Artists’ Guild. The show features the work of three day laborers, Laurentino Nava, Saúl Arévalo, and Ramón Ibarra who live in the community and continue to pursue their passion for painting and drawing despite long work hours, the absence of adequate work space, and limited supplies.

The paintings and the pastels of the three Mexicans are in a vibrant palette. The colors of many reflect the sun and heat of Mexico, while others reflect the earth tones of the area. Two of the artists, Laurentino Nava and Ramón Ibarra were there to meet the guests and discuss their work. Ramon Ibarra commented to Harold Lasso, Executive Director of the Hispanic Resource Center, “It was a fantastic event. I am very thankful for the support from each and everyone involved in making it happen. I feel encouraged to continue painting, and it gives me a sense of place in this community.”

One of the hoped for goals of the show was to promote this sense of one diverse community brought together through art. The artists themselves were all born in Mexico and have had different experiences. Laurentino Nava has always had a love for drawing but was unable to get any formal education in art. When he was growing up, he had to work to support his five younger siblings. But he has always drawn in his spare time. Since coming to the Larchmont community, he has taken continuing education courses at New Rochelle High School in drawing and calligraphy. Several of the works which Laurentino has at the gallery, are still lifes. There is a striking one of grapefruits in bright reds, oranges and yellows. Another is a scene of a small boat on a river with lovely trees on either side or a white-capped mountain in the distance. Laurentino continues to paint and to seek opportunities to exhibit and sell his work. (For more artwork, see: Immigrant Voices)

Ramón Ibarra

Ramón Ibarra began painting at an early age and attended art school. He became a geological engineer and joined the faculty of the Mexico City University. He abandoned his teaching career to study art full time. He later set up a studio where he experimented with ceramics and stained glass. As a young man, he met Carlos Merida, a famous Guatemalan painter who had worked with Diego Rivera and was a friend of Picasso’s. Ramon was deeply influenced by Picasso’s blue period as well as by the fanciful imagery of Marc Chagall. His paintings often reflect the loneliness and sadness of troubled souls. In the show are several pastels, one of a young man in contemplation. There is also a wonderful drawing of a woman and a rooster and a painting in deep reds and blues of a Madonna and child. Ramon has taken part in several exhibitions and various competitions.

Saúl Arévalo

The third artist exhibited in the show is Saúl Arévalo. He studied art at the Escuela de Bellas Artes in Mexico and later taught art at the Colegio Las Américas. He has exhibited his work in Mexico City at the Museo De La Acuarela and in shows with other artists. His greatest passion is painting rustic towns and villages, portraying in his work the people and culture of his native Mexico. In the show, there is a landscape of a road leading to a home. It is done is warm earth tones and gives a sense of serenity. In contrast is another one of Saúl’s works, the head of a beautiful angel, eyes closed and red hair flowing.

Community Leaders: Several community leaders attended the reception and met and spoke with the artists. They include George Latimer, County Legislator; Valerie O’Keeffe, Town of Mamaroneck Supervisor; Reverend William Crawford of the Larchmont Avenue Church and a member of the Hispanic Resource Board; Beatriz Serrano, President of the Hispanic Resource Center; and Harold Lasso, Executive Director of the Center.

Laurentino Nava commented during the reception, “I am grateful to all the people involved in organizing this event and for the opportunity to exhibit my work. It made me very happy to see many people attending the reception and receiving their support and their comments.”

Thank You: Near the conclusion of the reception, Harold Lasso and Mariana Boneo Lvoff, on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Center, presented framed invitations from the show with a message of appreciation to Liana Colella, co-owner of Larchmont Art who hung the show and provided the gallery space. Two others who also worked extremely hard to transform the show from a hope to a reality are Mariana Boneo Lvoff and Elaine Chapnick.

Members of both the Center and MAG trust that this show will be the first of many such gatherings of these two segments of the Larchmont-Mamaroneck community. They believe that each group has different talents and strengths to offer the other, and that it is only through getting to know one and other and sharing interests and hopes that the community will grow stronger and the members be enriched.

“Migrant Voices/Voces Peregrinas will run until Saturday, May 16. It can be seen at Larchmont Art whose owners Liana Colella and William P. Fedorchick have donated the space. Larchmont Art is located at 1899 Palmer Avenue, near the train station, and will be open Tuesday thru Saturday from 12:30 to 5:00 pm. for the duration of the show.

Julia Sperry is President of the Mamaroneck Artists’ Guild & Myra Hafetz is a board member of the Guild; both assisted with putting together the show.