AGUSTIN DE ANDINO
Ceramist and Sculptor
BIOGRAPHY
b. 1953, San Juan, PR
He has taught ceramics and sculpture at the Art Students League of San Juan, Puerto Rico (1977-1978), and has been a professor of these disciplines at the Inter-American University of San Germán, Puerto Rico (1979- 1981). Additionally, he served as adjunct reader in ceramics and art history at Kingsborough College in Brooklyn, New York (1981). His work began with pieces inspired by traditional pottery plates and vases, evolving towards vertical forms close to sculpture, with irregular and geometric designs. White and ocher colors predominate, maintaining a moderate expressionism.
All images © (2024) Agustin de Andino/ Images may not be reproduced in any form without permission from the artist.
ANTONIO CORTÉS ROLÓN
Plastic Artist
BIOGRAPHY
b. 1951, Cidra, PR
At the young age of six, Antonio Cortés Rolon began to show his interest in art, inspired by the numerous mountain views surrounding him. As a teenager, he honed his skills in panoramic painting under the guidance of American painter Henry Morgan and delved into modern art with the Puerto Rican artist Edwin Homar Maurás. Antonio earned his Bachelor’s degree in Education with a concentration in Art from Universidad Interamericana de San Germán, Puerto Rico, in 1978.
To further his artistic development, Antonio traveled to New York, where he obtained a Master’s degree in Fine Arts from the University of New York in 1985. He later completed a doctorate in Museology from Universidad de Sevilla, Spain, in 2005, followed by a doctorate in History of Art from Centro de Estudios Avanzados de Puerto Rico y el Caribe in 2006.
Throughout his distinguished career, Antonio Cortés has demonstrated mastery in various artistic disciplines, from portrait and panoramic painting to developing a figurative technique that earned him international acclaim with the “Emigrantes” series. Currently, Antonio is exploring the Pop Kitsch movement with his project “Un Actor en Casa Blanca – Imagen y Política,” a painting that features a monochromatic image exploring the relationship between politics, celebrities, and popular culture.
All images © (2024) Antonio Cortés Rolón/ Images may not be reproduced in any form without permission from the artist.
CRISTINA INES STUBBES
Photographer
BIOGRAPHY
Growing up as a traveler, Cristina's passion for exploring the world was nurtured from an early age. Her parents instilled in her the belief that the richness of different cultures, sounds, scents, languages, and traditions was something to be experienced, no matter her age. They encouraged Cristina to immerse herself in and appreciate the diversity that the world offers.
As Cristina became more independent, these early experiences evolved into a deep passion for capturing the essence of these cultures and places through the lens of a camera. For Cristina, today, travel represents freedom, confidence, and the joy of revisiting familiar destinations while discovering new ones.
Her photographic work is a reflection of her personal journey, both literal and figurative. Through the lens of my camera, she captures the essence of her travels, the warmth of home, the thrill of adventures, and the profound beauty of landscapes. Each frame is a testament to her perspective of the world, revealing the intricate details, unexpected moments, and hidden treasures that often go unnoticed.
Cristina believes that beauty and interest can be found in the most ordinary of places and the simplest of moments, and her photography seeks to highlight these often-overlooked facets of life. It is her hope that viewers of these works will be transported to the places she capture, feel the emotions, and gain a deeper appreciation for the world around them.
Ultimately, her photography is not just a documentation of a visual journey but an invitation for others to explore the captivating stories and extraordinary beauty that can be found in the everyday.
All images © (2024) Cristina Ines / Images may not be reproduced in any form without permission from the artist.
EDWIN HOMAR MAURÁS MALDONADO
Plastic Artist
BIOGRAPHY
b. Born: 1990, Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico
Edwin H. Maurás Maldonado was born on November 24, 1990, at Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico. He grew up in the rural zone of Trujillo Alto, municipality in the countryside surrounded by nature. Edwin's interest in art began with the influence of his parents, Edwin R. Maurás (educator and painter) and Neysa Maldonado (graphic artist and muralist). From an early age he stood out due to his artistic abilities not only in school, but also in the Scouting movement. He graduated from the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus with a bachelor’s degree in humanities and a major in Art and Technology.
His artwork has started to move not only nationally but also internationally and, against all adversities, he keeps producing immersive pieces of art.
Edwin likes to describe his work as "an imaginary cloud of shapes and ideas. Frameless, floating, and dynamic figures that seem to be trapped in translucent sculptures and constructions. The borders expand the perception of its own space with figures that suggest their escape. Figures presented in a symbol-like way that don’t have any pre-disposed meaning, but carry the purpose of free interpretation of the viewer enabling its creativity so each person can generate their own intimate experience with the artwork. The compositions are designed in the most visually poetic way possible, creating a balance between the abstract and the figurative world. You may ask why figurative and not totally abstract, well, the design is made abstract with the purpose of stimulating real figures, ideas, or simple enjoyment in the viewer’s mind."
All images © (2024) Edwin Homar Maurás/ Images may not be reproduced in any form without permission from the artist.
EDWIN MAURÁS MODESTI
Plastic Artist
BIOGRAPHY
b. 1948, Puerto Rico
Edwin Maurás Modesti was born in Puerto Rico in 1948. He studied at the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras campus, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Humanities with a focus on drawing, painting, and sculpture in 1970. In 1976, he obtained a Master's degree from New York University (NYU) with a concentration in painting, sculpture, and art education. He has held solo exhibitions on the island and participated in numerous group exhibitions in Puerto Rico and internationally, earning multiple honors and awards.
In 1969 he won First Prize in Painting at the Ateneo Puertorriqueño Christmas Festival, quickly establishing him as a significant figure in Puerto Rican art. In 1970, he was awarded another First Prize in Painting at IBEC Realty Co., marking a promising start to his career. His talents continued to gain recognition, with Honorable Mentions in Painting at both the First and Second United Federal Savings Painting and Print Competitions in 1973 and 1974.
The Puerto Rican Association of UNESCO honored him by selecting him to represent Puerto Rico in the Once Pintores Puertorriqueños exhibition at the Ibero Club in Bonn, Germany.
In 1981, he achieved an important milestone, winning First Prize in Painting at the 6th UNESCO National Painting Salon, showcasing his work on an international platform. In 2003, his piece "Homenaje a Malevich" was chosen for the permanent collection at the Museum of Contemporary Art of Puerto Rico, securing his legacy in Puerto Rican contemporary art. In 2006, he shared his expertise as a workshop leader at the 6th International Creativity Congress at René Descartes University in Paris, France, cementing his reputation as an influential artist and educator on an international level.
All images © (2024) Edwin Maurás Modesti/ Images may not be reproduced in any form without permission from the artist.
GLADYS NIEVES
Sculptor
BIOGRAPHY
b. New York
Born in New York to parents from Guayama, Puerto Rico, Gladys Nieves has always been inclined toward the visual arts. Despite holding postgraduate degrees in Psychology from New York University (NYU), she also studied at the Art Students League in New York City. It was during her time in New York, from 1978 to 1986, that she immersed herself in drawing, printmaking, painting, and sculpture. This invaluable experience expanded her knowledge and development in the visual arts. She later decided to journey to Italy, the cradle of classical arts, where she experimented with different types of marble and perfected the art of stone sculpture.
Her time in Italy allowed her to showcase her achievements in various Italian cities, and even in Germany. In 1989, she returned to New York and established her art studio, turning it into a classroom for students, where she taught stone and wood carving at a professional level. During that period, she exhibited her work at Hostos Community College and Lincoln Center in New York.
A year later, the Museo de Arte de Ponce in Puerto Rico presented a selection of her works, acquiring two of them, which are now part of its collection. In 1990, she formally relocated to Puerto Rico, the "Island of Enchantment." In 1992, with the support of the Hon. Hector L. Colon Mendoza, Mayor of Guayama, she established the Sculpture Workshop at the Centro de Bellas Artes, where her primary role has been as a professor of three-dimensional techniques. Since then, hundreds of students of all ages have discovered the joy of creative achievement, with some even making a living thanks to this great opportunity provided by Professor Gladys Nieves.
This multifaceted artist has exhibited her work in various venues across Puerto Rico, including the Francisco Oller Museum in Bayamón, the Spanish Navy Arsenal in San Juan, the Puerto Rican Institute of Culture, the Museum of Art and History in Ponce, the Old Customs House Museum in Arroyo, the Caguas Museum of Art, the Centro de Bellas Artes in Humacao, the Museum of the Americas in Old San Juan, the Tibes Indigenous Ceremonial Center in Ponce, and the Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos Museum of Art and History in Patillas.
She has completed significant commissioned works, including the bust of Antonio Paoli Marcano (Panteon Nacional Ramon Baldorioty de Castro in Ponce) for the Puerto Rican Institute of Culture (1992), the monument for Guamani School in Guayama (1997), the monument to Sister Isolina Ferré in Ponce (2000), the monument to maestro Angel "Lito" Peña in Humacao (2003), the monument to Don Cristobal "Caguitas" Colon in San Lorenzo (2004), and the restoration of "El Libertino" at the Acoustical Shell in Ponce.
In 2008, she organized "Damas Decididas...por el Arte," a group of students, all over 50 years old, to exhibit their achievements at the Senate Gallery of the Capitol of Puerto Rico, followed by exhibitions at the Polytechnic University of Hato Rey, the Old Customs House Museum in Arroyo, and culminating in June 2009 at the Tibes Indigenous Ceremonial Center in Ponce.
In 2009, she was recognized for her contribution to the visual arts alongside nine other artists at the 2nd Biennial of Southern Artists during the 430th-anniversary celebration of Coamo's founding.
Her art can be found in renowned galleries and private collections in Puerto Rico, the United States, and Europe.
Her dream is to create a monumental work for her hometown of Guayama!
All images © (2024) Gladys Nieves/ Images may not be reproduced in any form without permission from the artist.
IRMA SANABRIA
Plastic Artist
BIOGRAPHY
b. Santurce, PR
Irma Sanabria, an accomplished artist and graphic designer, was born in Santurce, Puerto Rico. She began her artistic journey at the University of Puerto Rico (1972-74) and further honed her skills at the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture’s School of Fine Arts. There, she earned her Bachelor’s in Fine Arts, studying under esteemed artists such as Antonio Martorell, Fran Cervoni, José R. Alicea, Luis Hernández Cruz, and Augusto Marín.
In 1978, Sanabria moved to Boston, Massachusetts, where she continued her education at the New England School of Art & Design. During her time in Boston (1978-87), she worked as a graphic designer and illustrator for notable clients including Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, Boston City Hospital, East West Journal Magazine, and the Actor’s Workshop. Her work was widely exhibited in prominent venues such as the Harriet Tubman House, the Artconsult International Gallery, the Parker Gallery at the Whistler House Museum, and The Brush Art Gallery. In 1983, she held her first solo exhibition at the Meri Goyette Salon des Artistes in Boston’s Meridien Hotel. Her contributions to the local art scene were recognized by WGBH-Channel 2's “La Plaza” program, which featured her in a segment titled “Irma Sanabria, Local Puerto Rican Painter” in 1987.
Returning to Puerto Rico in 1987, Sanabria joined Graf, Inc. as a graphic designer until 1998, after which she launched her own design practice. Her notable achievements in graphic design include creating the logo for the Puerto Rico Museum of Art (MAPR), designing the logotype for the San Juan Ballets, and transforming the magazine Qué Pasa from black-and-white to color. She has received various design awards from the Council for Design and Technology and the Association of Public Relations Professionals. Sanabria has worked with prestigious clients such as the Puerto Rico Tourism Company, the Boston Center for Latino Arts, the Solid Waste Authority, and the PR Telephone Company. Additionally, she has contributed her talents to LAT Graphic Design.
Irma Sanabria’s artistic and professional endeavors highlight her versatility and dedication to the arts, making her a prominent figure in both the Puerto Rican and Boston art communities.
All images © (2024) Irma Sanabria/ Images may not be reproduced in any form without permission from the artist.
JAVIER AMPUDIA PACHECO
Plastic Artist
BIOGRAPHY
b. 1985, Pinar del Río, Cuba
Born on April 7, 1985, in Pinar del Río, Cuba, Javier Ampudia Pacheco is an accomplished Cuban artist with a dedication to the visual arts that has shaped his career from an early age. Between 2000 and 2004, he studied Fine Arts at the Provincial School of Art Instructors in Pinar del Río, where he specialized in plastic arts, building a strong foundation in drawing, painting, and composition. His talent and commitment to growth soon led him to the "Academia 2001" program, where he completed additional courses in Drawing and Watercolor at the esteemed San Alejandro Academy in Havana.
In 2003, Ampudia Pacheco passed the aptitude exams for entry into the Academy of Art in Minneapolis, United States, an achievement that expanded his artistic perspective. By 2006, he was back in Cuba, sharing his knowledge as a Drawing instructor at the Provincial School of Art Instructors in Pinar del Río, influencing the next generation of Cuban artists. Between 2010 and 2012, Ampudia Pacheco worked as a Visual Arts Instructor in Caracas and Miranda, Venezuela, further broadening his impact on an international level.
Since 2002, he has been an active member of the "Hermanos Saíz Association" (AHS), a Cuban organization supporting young artists. In 2014, he received a notable recognition: exceptional authorization by the National Council of Visual Arts, the Cuban Fund for Cultural Assets, and the National Registry of Creators to become a formal member of these institutions. This endorsement, proposed by the AHS to the Cuban Ministry of Culture, cemented his place among Cuba’s professional artistic community.
Also in 2014, Ampudia Pacheco was accepted as a member of AXART Gallery in Drummondville, Quebec, Canada, allowing his work to reach new audiences abroad. The following year, in 2015, he was invited to participate in the World Culture Festival held in Drummondville, a prestigious event that celebrated his artistry on a global platform.
All images © (2024) Javier Ampudia Pacheco/ Images may not be reproduced in any form without permission from the artist.
JOSE O. TORRES PEREYRA
Carver/Plastic Artist
BIOGRAPHY
b. 1967, San Juan, PR
José Oscar Torres Pereyra, born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in 1967, has made a profound impact on the world of graphic arts. Graduating magna cum laude with a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Arts from the School of Fine Arts in San Juan, Torres Pereyra has consistently pushed beyond the boundaries of traditional woodcut techniques, a field he deeply respects yet sought to revolutionize. He refers to his style as “Xilografía Constructivista,” a term that captures the distinctive blend of constructivist influences and woodcut artistry that characterizes his work. Rather than limiting himself to the typical constraints of woodcut, Torres Pereyra integrates drawing, painting, and engraving into his process, creating compositions that extend the expressive potential of each medium. His innovative wood carving methods involve treating the wood itself as a canvas, embedding his personal vision directly into the grain and texture of the material. By layering lines, colors, and textures, he transforms each piece into a dynamic fusion of form and narrative, giving viewers a multifaceted experience that is both intricate and organic. Torres Pereyra’s "Xilografía Constructivista" not only honors the craft of woodcut but also challenges it, redefining traditional graphic art by creating works that blur the lines between printmaking and sculpture. This fusion has made his work truly unique, recognized both for its technical prowess and for the way it bridges conventional artistry with personal expression.
All images © (2024) Jose O. Torres Pereyra/ Images may not be reproduced in any form without permission from the artist.
MARLENE HERNÁNDEZ CASILLAS
Plastic Artist
BIOGRAPHY
b. 1969, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico in 1969, Marlene Hernández Casillas studied at the Andrés Bueso Art Academy in San Juan and the School of Fine Arts in San Juan. She studied further with Alfonso Arana and Francoise Bricaut in Paris, France 1989-90. She received her BFA in 1991 and was a delegate at the EXPO 1992 World’s Fair in Sevilla, Spain. In 2013 she earned her Master in Arts at Centro de Estudios Avanzados de Puerto Rico y el Caribe in San Juan.
All images © (2024) Marlene Hernández Casillas / Images may not be reproduced in any form without permission from the artist.
ORLANDO VALLEJO
Plastic Artist
BIOGRAPHY
b. 1955, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Born on November 20, 1955, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, this artist has called the city of Caguas home since 1960. In recognition of his profound impact on the community, he was honored as an adopted son of Caguas by a proclamation signed by Mayor William Miranda Marín in 2007. His formal education in the arts includes studies at the University of Puerto Rico's School of Fine Arts at the Río Piedras Campus and at the Puerto Rico School of Fine Arts in San Juan.
His career has been marked by notable international engagements, including participation in the Santo Domingo Biennial in the Dominican Republic (1996) and the Florence Biennale in Italy (2005). In 1997, he served as an artist-in-residence at the Altos de Chavón Foundation in La Romana, Dominican Republic, and in 2002, he was invited to present his work at the Autonomous College of Fine Arts Diego Quispe Tito in Cusco, Peru.
In 2009, he was commissioned to create a portrait of Don Eugenio María de Hostos for the Hall of Liberators and Social Heroes of Latin America and the Caribbean at Casa Antonio José de Sucre in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Between 2013 and 2015, he held a residency at Turabo University. His works are held in major public and private collections both within Puerto Rico and internationally, affirming his significant contributions to the art world.
All images © (2024) Orlando Vallejo / Images may not be reproduced in any form without permission from the artist.
RAFAEL RODRIGUEZ
Plastic Artist
BIOGRAPHY
b. 1978, Santurce, PR
Rafael J. Rodriguez was born on May 26, 1978 in Santurce, Puerto Rico. Obtained his Bachelor of Business Administration College of Mayaguez with a concentration in finance. Then he goes to the University of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras campus to complete their second concentration in painting. He currently lives and works in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Build collage since 2004 and his work has been exhibited in New York, Vermont and the Puerto Rico Museum of Contemporary Art among others.
Rafael's recent work is a series of collages made by meticulously arranging pieces of colored paper on canvas. These compositions create abstract visions of geometric structures, where order and precision are paramount. By stripping away any narrative elements, the artwork relies solely on its visual impact. The geometric structures within each piece reveal the human touch and a vibrant use of color, creating a dynamic interplay that invites a double visual interpretation. At first glance, the artwork seems to pulse with kinetic energy, but upon closer examination, it reveals a surface reminiscent of a highly pixelated digital image, rich in texture and complexity. This fusion of controlled structure and vibrant color movement results in a unique visual experience that resonates with both precision and spontaneity.
All images © (2024) Rafael J. Rodriguez/ Images may not be reproduced in any form without permission from the artist.
SEBASTIAN VALLEJO
Plastic Artist
BIOGRAPHY
b. 1982, Puerto Rico
Born in 1982 in Puerto Rico, Vallejo holds an MFA from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (2009), a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate from SAIC (2007), and a BFA from the University of Puerto Rico (2004). His work has been widely exhibited and is held in private collections in Puerto Rico, New York, Chicago, Washington D.C., and Texas. Vallejo's art has been featured in prominent publications such as New York Spaces, Paper, Elle Décor, and ASPIRE Design & Home magazine. His work was showcased in a solo museum exhibition at the Museo del Arsenal de la Marina Española in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Sebastian Vallejo's paintings explore the intricate relationship between organic forms, intangible structures, and the interplay of palpable and impalpable perceptions, delving into their visual, cultural, and psychological implications. His work is deeply rooted in his Caribbean heritage, which intertwines with an expansive, improvisational, and quasi-chaotic visual language that recurs throughout his artistic narrative. Vallejo's creative process involves applying remnants of polychrome fabrics and pigments to the canvas using a collage-like transfer technique. This foundation is then overlaid with brush or hand-applied strokes, which traverse the image plane in seemingly random yet deliberate gestures, resulting in a vibrant, spontaneous celebration of color and mark-making.
All images © (2024) Sebastian Vallejo/ Images may not be reproduced in any form without permission from the artist.