Date: Fri 18-Sep-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: SHANNO

Quick Words:

Discovery-Caribbean

Full Text:

The Discovery Museum's Caribbean Connections: New Exhibition Opens Sept 27

(with cut )

BRIDGEPORT -- The Simpson Galleries of The Discovery Museum will vibrate with

the colors of the Caribbean in the new exhibit, "Caribbean

Connections/Conexiones Caribenas: Cuba, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico."

The show opens Sunday, September 27, at the museum, 4450 Park Avenue, with a

reception from 2:30 to 6 pm.

The exhibit features the paintings, sculpture, drawings and mixed media works

of 32 contemporary artists living and working in either the United States or

the Caribbean. The works, which explore the human figure in styles that range

from representational to abstract, deal with personal, spiritual, political,

social and environmental issues. Many are expressions of the artists'

struggles to maintain their cultural identity while living as exiles from Cuba

or immigrants from Puerto Rico or the Dominican Republic.

"The Caribbean has an incredibly rich and diverse arts heritage, in music,

literature and the visual arts," notes museum curator Ben Ortiz, who put the

show together specially for The Discovery.

"We are particularly fortunate to have such a large Caribbean immigrant

population in the tri-state region. They bring an added dimension to our own

arts community and to local celebrations."

In fact, over one-third of the artists are from New York, New Jersey and

Connecticut, including Inna Arroyo of Willimantic. Others live as far away as

Texas, Florida and the Dominica Republic.

Scheduled to be represented in "Caribbean Connections/Conexions Caribenas" are

the following artists: Ms Arroyo; Hochi Asiatico, from New York; Luis Cruz

Azaceta (Louisiana); Jose Bedia (Florida); Elio Beltran (New Jersey); Cundo

Bermudez (South America); Jose Buscaglia (Rhode Island); Maria Magdalena

Campos-Pons (Massachusetts); Lilian Cuenca (Florida); Angel Ridriguez Diax

(Texas); Frank Diaz Escalet (Maine); Roberto Estopinan (New York); Ana Ferrer

(New YOrk); Ana Flora (Rhode Island); and Edgar Franceschi (New York).

Also, Julio Valdez Gonzalez (New York); Anaida Hernandez (New York); Jose

Iraola (Florida); Luis Marin (Florida); Jose Mijares (Florida); Jose Morales

(New York); Clara Morera (New York); Charo Oquet (Florida); Pepon Osorio (New

York); Jorge Pineda (Dominican Republic); Belkis Ramirez (Dominican Republic);

Jesus Rivera (New Jersey); Gloria Rodriguez (New Jersey); Juan Sanchez (New

York); Jesus Selgus (New York); Rosa Tavarez (Dominican Republic); and Geandy

Pavon Zayas (New Jersey).

The exhibition will spark a number of special events during its run through

January 3, featuring music, dance, poetry, story telling and audience

participation.

"Whether the visitors' cultural heritage is Caribbean or they are among the

thousands who have fond travel memories of the region or they are intrigued by

the way artists can portray similar images," noted Mr Ortiz, "I hope this

exhibit will fascinate and enlighten them."

The museum is at 4450 Park Avenue, about one mile south of Exit 46 from the

Merritt Parkway. Its hours are 10 am to 5 pm Tuesday through Saturday, and

noon to 5 pm Sunday.

Admission is $7 for adults; $5.50 for students, seniors and children ages

3-18; and free for children 3 and under. For additional information, including

details on the following program schedule, call 372-3521.

`Caribbean'-Related Events

On Sunday, September 27, the museum will host a party called "Sunday

Celebration: Celebrating the Caribbean" from 2:30 to 6 pm. Admission to the

event is included with museum admission paid at at door.

Folklorico Bohio, a ten-member dance troupe who performs Puerto Rican dance

and music with an African influence, will perform at 2:30 pm. At 3:30, Puerto

Rican singer Gryssel Ramirez will perform "Expresiones," a concert in Spanish.

From 4-6 pm, the museum will host the artists' reception for not only

"Caribbean Connections/Conexiones Caribenas: Cuba, Dominican Republic and

Puerto Rico," but also for "Immortal: Pedro Martin DeClet -- The Paintings of

a Demi-god," which will be on view until October 30.

The reception will give visitors the opportunity to meet some of the artists

who created the works on exhibit. Light refreshments will be served, and there

will be an additional performance by Gryssel Ramirez.

On October 6, "Tuesday Talks at The Discovery Museum" will begin its 1998-99

series with "Caribbean Art." These talks are held monthly at the museum, with

the guest speaker usually a member of the staff from the Metropolitan Museum

of Art presenting a program at 11:30 am.

The October 6 program will cover the museum's Latin American collection.

Participants will also be able to tour "Caribbean Connections." Tickets are

$15 and will be available at the door; reservations are not necessary.

Another "Sunday Celebration" will take place on October 25, this one with the

"Celebrating Our Ancestors" theme. Admission is again included with museum

admission at the door.

At 2 pm, Marianela Madrano will read her stories and poems that explore her

experiences as an immigrant in the United States, having come from the

Dominican Republic. At 3 pm, Sirius Coyote will perform music of the Americas

on traditional and hand-crafted instruments. The group will also share some of

the myths and folklore of Mexico and the Caribbean.

"Tuesday Talks at The Discovery: Puerto Rican Art" will be presented on

November 10 at 11:30 am. Pepon Osario, a Puerto Rican artist living in New

York, will discuss the themes of his art, including works on exhibit in

"Caribbean Connections."

Tickets are $15, available at the door.

On November 22, the museum will host "Sunday Celebration: Celebrating

Diversity," from 2-6 pm. The afternoon will begin with a performance by No

World Improvisations, called "Sounds of the World." Performers use traditional

instruments and audience participation to delight all ages while offering

music from the Caribbean, Latin America, Asia and Africa.

At 4 pm, an artist's reception will be held for "Players," an exhibition of

portraits by Connecticut artist Sara Cambria.

Seating to all events is first come, first served.