FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tennessee Art League and Nashville Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce team up to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with a Hispanic Visual Art Showcase
Tennessee Art League and the Nashville Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (NAHCC) are celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with a multi-artist Hispanic Visual Art Showcase at the new TAL Gallery on Fifth Avenue of The Arts (9219 Fifth Ave North, Nashville). The exhibit kicks off during the Art-Crawl on Saturday October 5th from 6:00-9:00 PM. A meet and greet with the artists is scheduled.
Ten Hispanic visual artist are participating this year as part of the NAHCC's initiative. In addition to TAL, participating artists will also exhibiting at the Nashville Public Library's Courtyard Concert Series, the NCVB's Visitors Center glass showroom @Bridgestone Arena thank to a partnered effort with the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau and at the NAHCC's annual awards ceremony next October 15th at Waller.
*Artists biographical information in alphabetical order below:
Ten Hispanic visual artist are participating this year as part of the NAHCC's initiative. In addition to TAL, participating artists will also exhibiting at the Nashville Public Library's Courtyard Concert Series, the NCVB's Visitors Center glass showroom @Bridgestone Arena thank to a partnered effort with the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau and at the NAHCC's annual awards ceremony next October 15th at Waller.
*Artists biographical information in alphabetical order below:
Lou Carillo

Lou ‘el Oso’ Carrillo, (the Bear), originally from California, makes his home in Thompsons Station in Middle Tennessee. College educated, he worked as a carpenter then later became an inventor holding multiple patents and trademarks. He started Perfection Products, Inc. with one of his patented products, Pop-A-Plate, and then filled the company with more of his inventions. After fifteen years he sold the business (in 2002) and then came back to his first love - fine art.
Lou el Oso began drawing as a child and has continued throughout his life to refine his artwork. He painted sporadically throughout his life until he sold his company, Perfection Products. It was at that time that he began painting in earnest. His art work is alive with intensity, contrast, and color. It is eclectic, innovative, strong, and exotic.
He has amassed hundreds of works-in the new genre - Episodic Art - most of which are oil on canvas, in his rural studio that might have gone undiscovered except for a few art lovers and critics who pushed him to share his art work with us all. Now he is on a quest to present his ‘Mind and World’ images that burst forth from his consciousness (imagination or unconsciousness – he has a hard time explaining the source or sources).
Lou el Oso signs his work simply ‘LOU’. He likes larger canvases and works mostly in oil. “I want my work to be associated only to me. In other words you can see one of my works at one end of the country and later see a different work at the other end of the country and still recognize it as that of Lou el Oso.“ (LOU). Lou, now in his early 60’s, wants to offer the best new fine art works to be found.
Lou el Oso began drawing as a child and has continued throughout his life to refine his artwork. He painted sporadically throughout his life until he sold his company, Perfection Products. It was at that time that he began painting in earnest. His art work is alive with intensity, contrast, and color. It is eclectic, innovative, strong, and exotic.
He has amassed hundreds of works-in the new genre - Episodic Art - most of which are oil on canvas, in his rural studio that might have gone undiscovered except for a few art lovers and critics who pushed him to share his art work with us all. Now he is on a quest to present his ‘Mind and World’ images that burst forth from his consciousness (imagination or unconsciousness – he has a hard time explaining the source or sources).
Lou el Oso signs his work simply ‘LOU’. He likes larger canvases and works mostly in oil. “I want my work to be associated only to me. In other words you can see one of my works at one end of the country and later see a different work at the other end of the country and still recognize it as that of Lou el Oso.“ (LOU). Lou, now in his early 60’s, wants to offer the best new fine art works to be found.
Adolfo Dávila

Adolfo was born in the summer of 1956 in the province of Los Rios, Ecuador. He entered the Faculty of Arts at the Central University of Quito and completed his education at Watkins College of Art, in Nashville, Tennessee. Sculpture is his passion and love, “it is the form of art that allows me to express myself freely”. His first pieces of clay were introduced in the 1980s in The Rosicrucian Order.
Adolfo's favorite subjects are the elements of mysticism, rituals, metaphysics and values of mythology, but his recent work is an exposition and critique of latent problems of modern society.
Adolfo's favorite subjects are the elements of mysticism, rituals, metaphysics and values of mythology, but his recent work is an exposition and critique of latent problems of modern society.
Katryn García

Native Californian, Kathryn García has made Nashville her studio home.
Kathryn is an award winning artist that has taken her skills into Metro Nashville Public Schools to invest in the youth of today. A student advocate, Ms. García has placed a great value in extending the skills honed in her Master's Fine Art study as well as private study with Igor Babilov, Russian master portrait artist.
"Portraits have been a large part of my learning and practice. Many years ago I studied with the intent of painting by observing. The human body is the greatest source of practice of colour, light and physicality. When painting or drawing even in abstraction, the theory remains true.
Life drawing and painting are big, while abstractions in life carry over into painting."
Garcia has a abundance of art to be seen, yet has remained on of Nashville's "Best kept secrets"...quote from musician, songwriter, Rick Elias.
Ms. García's talent and skill in Visual Art and Education have resulted in long-term involvement in both arenas with success. Works are held in numerous private collections throughout Europe, universities, in publication and in her studios.
"If I am going to teach this subject of Art, it must be to drive that desire to 'make' into the hearts of our youth. The studio and painting/drawing are a natural phenomenon. It's not what I always want to do, it is what I have to do."
Kathryn is an award winning artist that has taken her skills into Metro Nashville Public Schools to invest in the youth of today. A student advocate, Ms. García has placed a great value in extending the skills honed in her Master's Fine Art study as well as private study with Igor Babilov, Russian master portrait artist.
"Portraits have been a large part of my learning and practice. Many years ago I studied with the intent of painting by observing. The human body is the greatest source of practice of colour, light and physicality. When painting or drawing even in abstraction, the theory remains true.
Life drawing and painting are big, while abstractions in life carry over into painting."
Garcia has a abundance of art to be seen, yet has remained on of Nashville's "Best kept secrets"...quote from musician, songwriter, Rick Elias.
Ms. García's talent and skill in Visual Art and Education have resulted in long-term involvement in both arenas with success. Works are held in numerous private collections throughout Europe, universities, in publication and in her studios.
"If I am going to teach this subject of Art, it must be to drive that desire to 'make' into the hearts of our youth. The studio and painting/drawing are a natural phenomenon. It's not what I always want to do, it is what I have to do."
Megan Kelley

M Kelley is a “maker, do-er, thinker, writer, curator” based out of Nashville, Tennessee, and at studiOmnivorous.com. Her interdisciplinary social practice, as both artist and curator, revolves around providing educational and developmental opportunities to artists and audiences alike; a fascination with the complexities of communication and narrative; and inviting others into collaboration, curiosity, and cross-pollination.
Much of her work explores her multiracial heritage, adopted landscapes, and how language shapes cultural perspective.
Much of her work explores her multiracial heritage, adopted landscapes, and how language shapes cultural perspective.
Jorge Mendoza

Born in Bolivia (1954) lives in USA since 1989 and currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee. He studied at the University of San Andres, La Paz, Bolivia. Afterwards, he traveled to San Juan de Puerto Rico (1979) since he won an international award from the IV Printmaking Biennale. Later on, he lived and worked in Mexico D.F., where he worked at the prestigious Taller de Gráfica Popular (1981). As a result of those exposures, his work was selected to be showcased in the important Contemporary Latin American Artists Show at the Les Salon des Nations (1984) in Paris, France, where he lived and worked for a while. Subsequently, his work was selected to participate in many one man and collective shows in Lisbon, Madrid and Barcelona whereas he established for some time.
He returned to South America to continue his career in Brazil. Mendoza started to work in the Printmaking’s House at Curitiba (1986), and later on at the Alvares Penteado Foundation of Sao Paulo (1987). His handmade paper series of Quipus were showcased in the First Latin American Artists Paper Makers at the Sao Paulo’s Pinacoteca (1989).
Developing his career, he immigrated to USA to obtain the Masters of Fine Arts at the Fulbright College of Arts and Science at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. Due to his visual arts talent and teaching skills he was Associate Instructor and Printmaking Assistant at that College (1989-1992). Later on, he taught Visual Arts as part of the Artist-in-Residence programs. He continued teaching Humanities classes at the University of Arkansas in Fort Smith (2002-2004) and at the same time producing a body of work for one man and collective shows around USA.
Because of his work, he won many international awards and his work had been showcased in significant one-man and collective shows. He is frequently invited to conduct painting, paper making and printmaking workshops in USA’s colleges. Recently, his work was showed at the prestigious Arte Américas, the Latin Americas Art Fair 2012 in Miami, Florida.
His works had been showed in remarkable galleries and museums in South America (Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, and Venezuela), the Caribbean (Cuba, Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic) as well as in Europe (Paris, Barcelona, Madrid, and Lisbon) and USA. His works are part of private collections around the world.
He returned to South America to continue his career in Brazil. Mendoza started to work in the Printmaking’s House at Curitiba (1986), and later on at the Alvares Penteado Foundation of Sao Paulo (1987). His handmade paper series of Quipus were showcased in the First Latin American Artists Paper Makers at the Sao Paulo’s Pinacoteca (1989).
Developing his career, he immigrated to USA to obtain the Masters of Fine Arts at the Fulbright College of Arts and Science at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. Due to his visual arts talent and teaching skills he was Associate Instructor and Printmaking Assistant at that College (1989-1992). Later on, he taught Visual Arts as part of the Artist-in-Residence programs. He continued teaching Humanities classes at the University of Arkansas in Fort Smith (2002-2004) and at the same time producing a body of work for one man and collective shows around USA.
Because of his work, he won many international awards and his work had been showcased in significant one-man and collective shows. He is frequently invited to conduct painting, paper making and printmaking workshops in USA’s colleges. Recently, his work was showed at the prestigious Arte Américas, the Latin Americas Art Fair 2012 in Miami, Florida.
His works had been showed in remarkable galleries and museums in South America (Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, and Venezuela), the Caribbean (Cuba, Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic) as well as in Europe (Paris, Barcelona, Madrid, and Lisbon) and USA. His works are part of private collections around the world.
Zoilita Mojica

Zoilita Mojica, Colombia, South America, painter: Zoilita began painting some fifty years ago at the “Escuela de Bellas Artes” in Santa Marta, a beautiful resort city in Colombia. After a long sabbatical, shortly after she moved to Nashville in 1997 she once again picked up the fine brush and began to paint, articulating in acrylics the scenes she sees, the scenes she sets, and the scenes that she has secured in her memory from her life and travels. Her paintings reflect her inner joy, profound spirituality and her willingness to embrace life. She says, “I am happiest while trying to reflect on a canvas the wonder and the joy that I feel while reflecting on a memory of a special a moment, a visit to a lovely place, or a special gift from nature.”
Mario Moreno

Mario Moreno was born in Cuicha, a town in Veracruz, México.
As a child Mario suffered a severe infection in both ears and went deaf. Also, he did not speak or have the opportunity to go to school. He started to draw at the age of nine. He worked shining shoes and, when possible, sketched his clients. At the Instituto Mexicano de Seguro Social, he experimented with watercolors and oil paints.
In 1983, he met a sculptor and learned to carve wood two years later. In September of 2004, he came to the United States. Currently, he lives in Nashville and paints landscapes and portraits, carves wood, and assembles battleships in bottles.
In 2011, Mario's work was selected to participate in a collective Hispanic art show titled “Nueva Vida, Nuevo Trabajo” at the Metro Arts Commission Gallery in Nashville.
As a child Mario suffered a severe infection in both ears and went deaf. Also, he did not speak or have the opportunity to go to school. He started to draw at the age of nine. He worked shining shoes and, when possible, sketched his clients. At the Instituto Mexicano de Seguro Social, he experimented with watercolors and oil paints.
In 1983, he met a sculptor and learned to carve wood two years later. In September of 2004, he came to the United States. Currently, he lives in Nashville and paints landscapes and portraits, carves wood, and assembles battleships in bottles.
In 2011, Mario's work was selected to participate in a collective Hispanic art show titled “Nueva Vida, Nuevo Trabajo” at the Metro Arts Commission Gallery in Nashville.
Inés Negri

Inés Negri, Colombia, South America, painter: Ines moved to the United Sates as a young bride. After living in New York, Washington DC and Maryland, Ines – along with her husband, their two sons and her mother – settled in Nashville in 1997. An hotelier by trade, Ines started exploring her artistic inclinations restoring antiques, later turning her interest to faux finishes and murals. Inspired by memories from her native Colombia, beautiful places she has visited throughout the world, and everyday experiences, Ines says, “My paintings reflect my quest to be fully aware, and capture with my brush the magical moments that encompass my life experiences. Art is the purest expression of the soul in any language, in any corner of the world and it is the universal link that can help us overcome many of the differences that separate us from one another.”
Yenny Zarama

Yenny Walker Zarama is a representational Oil Painter based in Nashville, Tennessee.
Her studies of traditional painting techniques includes workshops in Colombia, studies at the Renaissance Center in Dickson, TN and classes with recognized artist Shirley Pharris from Hermitage, TN.
Frequent traveling has provided rich opportunities for capturing the light and color of locations in Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Panama, Brazil, The Bahamas, Rosario Islands, Aruba and many states in the USA. Yenny has a special interest in pure color that results in vibrant paintings with strong poetic energy. She uses her own photographs to recreate them with Oil.
Having graduated from Private Universities in Bogota, Colombia she has mixed her intellectual knowledge in Marketing, Photography, Digital Image, Websites design and art to work in what she enjoys the most. She works with her heart and gives the best on each painting as well as in her photography work, she has a studio at home and keeps working on her professional development everyday bringing new ideas to succeed. She paints for herself, her family, her friends, her colleagues and also does commission work. She has also donated some pieces to charities such as the Humane Society in Dickson, The GJCC, and "La Sociedad Defensora de Animales" in Colombia. Her latest work can be seeing now in a show at the Nashville Public Library, downtown, four big pieces that are part of a new puppet show called “Popol Wuj”.
Yenny currently lives in Nashville but keeps traveling around the country, she has a little daughter who is 4 years old and brings energy and inspiration to her life.
Her studies of traditional painting techniques includes workshops in Colombia, studies at the Renaissance Center in Dickson, TN and classes with recognized artist Shirley Pharris from Hermitage, TN.
Frequent traveling has provided rich opportunities for capturing the light and color of locations in Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Panama, Brazil, The Bahamas, Rosario Islands, Aruba and many states in the USA. Yenny has a special interest in pure color that results in vibrant paintings with strong poetic energy. She uses her own photographs to recreate them with Oil.
Having graduated from Private Universities in Bogota, Colombia she has mixed her intellectual knowledge in Marketing, Photography, Digital Image, Websites design and art to work in what she enjoys the most. She works with her heart and gives the best on each painting as well as in her photography work, she has a studio at home and keeps working on her professional development everyday bringing new ideas to succeed. She paints for herself, her family, her friends, her colleagues and also does commission work. She has also donated some pieces to charities such as the Humane Society in Dickson, The GJCC, and "La Sociedad Defensora de Animales" in Colombia. Her latest work can be seeing now in a show at the Nashville Public Library, downtown, four big pieces that are part of a new puppet show called “Popol Wuj”.
Yenny currently lives in Nashville but keeps traveling around the country, she has a little daughter who is 4 years old and brings energy and inspiration to her life.
Gil Veda

Gil Veda is a noted painter, composer and singer known for his innovative and constantly evolving styles and techniques moving from portraits to impressionist and surrealist paintings and his latest, Earth Vision Art.
His work is appreciated and collected the world over, adorning the walls of both past presidents and a host of celebrities as well.
Gil Veda came to Nashville in the early sixties. He appeared many times at the historic Ryman Auditorium, where he was the first Latin artist to sing country music on that hallowed stage. He was introduced by the late producer and steel guitar player Pete Drake. He quickly fell in love with Nashville and decided to stay.
His first recording session was in the early 60’s with the Jordanaires, engineered by Jim Malloy at the renowned RCA Studio B on Music Row.
At the same time that Gil was pursuing his music, he was also developing his art. He bought a corner property on 16th Ave. South and opened his first art gallery. After many years of sharing his paintings and the work of other artists with the community, Gil Veda sold the building. It became the John F. Kennedy Library and later Jack’s Tracks Recording Studio, where under the watchful eye of producer Alan Reynolds; Crystal Gayle, Kathy Mattea, and more recently Garth Brooks recorded with much success - the seed of creativity that Gil planted lives on! www.gilveda.com
His work is appreciated and collected the world over, adorning the walls of both past presidents and a host of celebrities as well.
Gil Veda came to Nashville in the early sixties. He appeared many times at the historic Ryman Auditorium, where he was the first Latin artist to sing country music on that hallowed stage. He was introduced by the late producer and steel guitar player Pete Drake. He quickly fell in love with Nashville and decided to stay.
His first recording session was in the early 60’s with the Jordanaires, engineered by Jim Malloy at the renowned RCA Studio B on Music Row.
At the same time that Gil was pursuing his music, he was also developing his art. He bought a corner property on 16th Ave. South and opened his first art gallery. After many years of sharing his paintings and the work of other artists with the community, Gil Veda sold the building. It became the John F. Kennedy Library and later Jack’s Tracks Recording Studio, where under the watchful eye of producer Alan Reynolds; Crystal Gayle, Kathy Mattea, and more recently Garth Brooks recorded with much success - the seed of creativity that Gil planted lives on! www.gilveda.com