Expresiones/Expressions: Caribbean and Latin American Art from the Benjamin Ortiz Collection

This thought-provoking exhibition of Caribbean and Latin American art, so rarely on view, is co-curated by art historian Gustavo Valdes and features paintings, photographs, sculpture, and drawings from Ortiz’s private collection. Artists represented include both emerging artists and internationally-known masters from the Caribbean islands, Central America, and South America. The works on view are part of a collection that spans over three decades. Benjamin Ortiz acquired his first work of art at the age of twelve at a Connecticut consignment shop. The little oil painting he felt so passionate about turned out to be a wonderful example of the work of one of Puerto Rico’s most illustrious landscape artists, Don Miguel Pou (1880-1968). This 75 cent-purchase marked the beginning of Ortiz’s ever-growing involvement with the arts. This exhibition and related programming is sponsored in part by Centro de la Comunidad.