Art lovers and cultural aficionados, mark your calendars. The Hillsboro Public Library is gearing up to be the vibrant backdrop for the 3rd Annual Hispanic Heritage Art Exhibit and Showcase, brought to the canvas and spaces by Elysium Art Empowerment Collective. According to their latest release, the showcase will be a sweeping two-month celebration of Hispanic artistry, spanning from September 1 through October 31 at the Brookwood and Shute Park library branches.
With a marked leap from its inception, the exhibit has grown to feature 22 local artists, a significant increase from the eight artists featured during its first run. The diverse collection culminates in around 80 pieces, demonstrating the ability to fully transform different mediums like painting, pyrography, sculpture, and textiles into narratives of Hispanic cultural richness, as noted by hillsboro-oregon.gov. "The emotions ignited by pyrography connect the innermost depths of my being with the viewer through the canvas," Luis Jiménez, artist and co-founder of Elysium, poignantly describes his work.
The affair isn't just a static experience— it's interactive. The organizers have slotted in a Library After Hours event, penciled for the evening of September 20th, at the Brookwood Library. Designed as an adult night out, the event in partnership with Elysium Art Empowerment Collective, will feature indigenous dance performances by Hueca Omeyocan, film screenings, and an opportunity to mingle with the artistic minds behind the creations while enjoying some choice refreshments. "The process of remembering who oneself really is, is quite a journey," Ishani, artist and co-founder of Elysium told hillsboro-oregon.gov.
The Hispanic Heritage Art Exhibit, free to the public during library hours, is about more than just aesthetics. "We want to create opportunities for dialogue and understanding," Jiménez said, expressing a vision that transcends just showcasing Hispanic culture; it's a conduit to bridge community gaps and celebrate diversity contributions to Hillsboro's unique tapestry. As the showcase unfolds, attendees are expected to not just be inspired but also to be prompted to actively engage in the culture narrated through every display.
A free registration is required for the Library After Hours event, ensuring an intimate and immersive space where art is the catalyst for communion and celebration. Behind the scenes, Elysium Art Empowerment Collective works with a mission far exceeding the bounds of conventional artistry, seeking to enrich the community through the transformative power of art. This exhibit is set to be a testament to that creed, as told to hillsboro-oregon.gov. So for those inclined to engage the senses and stir the brain with a good dose of cultural appreciation, this exhibit is decidedly unmissable.
