“Hispanic Heritage”
Opening Reception Saturday, September 13, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Ishani
Ishani is a Mexican painter, meditation monk, and architect. Her journey into the world of art began in childhood, sparked by the discovery of her grandfather’s oil paints. Since then, painting has been both her devotion and her path. Her work has been exhibited internationally, collected across the globe, and featured in European art publications. A dedicated teacher, Ishani has led numerous workshops on watercolor techniques and meditation, weaving together artistic expression with inner awareness.
“In the end, it’s not about my journey, but about the journey of all of us, together, where we remember and become One.”
Magdianamy Carrillo Sotomayor
Magdianamy Carrillo Sotomayor is a Puerto Rican author, librarian, and public servant whose work centers on resilience, memory, and the transformative power of education. In her debut book, Entre Letras y Cicatrices: Memorias de un Eslabón Perdido (Between Letters and Scars: Memoirs of a Lost Link), is an autobiographical memoir that weaves together storytelling, social commentary, and personal healing. The book explores childhood trauma, poverty, migration, and survival—ultimately celebrating strength, identity, and the power of truth.
Mónica Catalán Prado
Catalán is a Mexican visual artist and illustrator whose work explores memory, identity, and the emotional resonance of place. She works primarily with alcohol inks on synthetic paper, combining fluid abstraction with moments of detail using brushwork or hand-drawn elements. Her creative process is intuitive and emotionally charged, often incorporating digital techniques to further develop her compositions. By allowing pigments to flow freely and embracing unexpected forms, she captures fleeting sensations and subconscious landscapes. Her work bridges traditional and contemporary media, blending spontaneity with intention to evoke a sense of connection and emotional presence.
Luis Jiménez
Luis Jiménez is a Puerto Rican visual artist specializing in pyrography, resin, and mixed media. His creative process emerges from the convergence of fire, intuition, and meditative practice. Through cultural and spiritual symbolism, he aims to provoke in the viewer a state of introspection and an inner journey toward self-awareness. Each piece represents a fusion of technique and expression, where art becomes a channel for experiencing a deeper dimension of being. He believes in the self-realization of the human spirit as a path to liberation.
Lee Morrison
Lee Morrison’s collection, “Be Part of Something Bigger,” is a visual meditation on perspective, ambiguity, and belonging. Through four circular compositions, each depicting a different close-up of the same tree, Morrison creates an intimate orbit—one where focus tightens, boundaries blur, and location becomes uncertain. Are we near a slender twig or a massive limb? At the canopy’s crown of buried deep within its central core? And yet, eve as each image feels solitary, the series as a whole reminds us: we are always a part of something more vast than what we can see.
Roberto Orán
Roberto Orán is a painter, muralist, and sculptor who works with wood, stone, and ceramics. Originally from Oaxaca, Mexico, he grew up surrounded by nature and traditional clay artisans, experiences that deeply shaped his artistic foundation. In 2003, Orán moved to Salem with almost no knowledge of English. High school was a challenge but a teacher noticed the detail in his assignments and encouraged him to take art class. That moment marked the beginning of a lifelong journey in the arts. Orán has collaborated with numerous organizations across the state, securing residencies at Chemeka Community College and Salem Art Association. For Orán, art is a form of spiritual healing and a personal religion.
Adelina Ruvalcaba
Adelina Ruvalcaba is a mixed media visual artist and emerging curator based in the Pacific Northwest. Born and raised in California’s Central Valley, she is of Mexican and Puerto Rican descent. After moving to Oregon, she experienced a personal crisis of identity that led her down a path of rediscovery. Her creative practice highlights the labor of love found in domestic spaces—particularly the kitchen—elevating its cultural and emotional significance. Ruvalcaba also curates immersive installations that tell intimate stories through her work, offering viewers a sense of belonging and a space for reflection.
Arturo Villaseñor
Arturo Villaseñor, born in Mexico City in 1965, is a cultifaceted artist and educator. He graduated from the National Polytechnic Institute with a Bachelor’s Degree in Physics and Mathematics. Arturo dedicated several years to preserving the architectural heritage of Mexico City. During this time, he had the privilege of working alongside esteemed restoration masters, painters, and skilled craftsmen, honing his expertise in the field. In 2000, Arturo relocated to Oregon and began his work in adult education and social work. As a poet, professional painter, graphic designer, sculptor, translator, writer, and photographer, he expressed his creativity and enriched his understanding of different artistic disciples. His artistic journey has been marked by a relentless dedication to sharpening his craft and exploring the diverse realms of artistic expression.
Past Featured Artists
