VISUAL ARTS
Inspired by the artistic zeal of the Pilsen area, one of Chicago’s most underappreciated art scenes, art is also a central focus at Pilsen Fest. Like the music, the Art Pavilion is always one of the main attractions, featuring the artwork of some of the Pilsen area’s most prominent local visual artist. In addition to over 40 local arts and crafts vendors, Pilsen Fest’s featured artists this year include:
Carlos Barberena
It's a honor to introduce Carlos Barberena as the featured and awarded artist, who created the image that will accompany the arts and culture celebration: Pilsen Fest 2019.
Carlos Barberena is a Nicaraguan self-taught Printmaker based in Chicago, where he runs the printmaking projects: Bandolero Press & La Calaca Press. He is also a member of the Instituto Gráfico de Chicago.
Barberena is known for his satirical relief prints and the use of images from pop culture, as well as from political and cultural tragedies. In his art, he has consistently reflected on the cycles of repression and resistance and its relationship to the diaspora in which he has lived, throughout dictatorship, revolution, erasure, renewal, hope, dictatorship and repression. He makes art to shed light on these invisibilized experiences.
Barberena has exhibited individually in Costa Rica, Estonia, France, México, Nicaragua, Spain and the United States of America, his work also has been shown in Art Biennials, Museums, Galleries and Cultural Centers around the world.
He has received various awards, most notably the “National Printmaking Award 2012” given by the Nicaraguan Institute of Culture in Managua, Nicaragua; “Parchemin d’Honneur," 8 Triennale Mondial de l’Estampe et de la Gravure Originale, AMAC, Chamalieres, Auvergne, France and the award- poster for the Ecology and Human Rights in Banana Plantations in Costa Rica, given by GEBANA in Berlin, Germany.
Carlos Barberena is a Nicaraguan self-taught Printmaker based in Chicago, where he runs the printmaking projects: Bandolero Press & La Calaca Press. He is also a member of the Instituto Gráfico de Chicago.
Barberena is known for his satirical relief prints and the use of images from pop culture, as well as from political and cultural tragedies. In his art, he has consistently reflected on the cycles of repression and resistance and its relationship to the diaspora in which he has lived, throughout dictatorship, revolution, erasure, renewal, hope, dictatorship and repression. He makes art to shed light on these invisibilized experiences.
Barberena has exhibited individually in Costa Rica, Estonia, France, México, Nicaragua, Spain and the United States of America, his work also has been shown in Art Biennials, Museums, Galleries and Cultural Centers around the world.
He has received various awards, most notably the “National Printmaking Award 2012” given by the Nicaraguan Institute of Culture in Managua, Nicaragua; “Parchemin d’Honneur," 8 Triennale Mondial de l’Estampe et de la Gravure Originale, AMAC, Chamalieres, Auvergne, France and the award- poster for the Ecology and Human Rights in Banana Plantations in Costa Rica, given by GEBANA in Berlin, Germany.
Pintoras Mexicanas at Pilsen Fest
Pintoras Mexicanas is a collective created through Facebook in February 2011. At first it was created to disseminate artwork and the bios of female painters. Throughout the history of Mexican art, woman artwork has not been as available as it should be and I wanted to have a place where latina (mexicana) artists could be well represented. Currently, this virtual space serves to expose and share the work of Mexican women who excel in pictorial art.
Composed of artists of great talent and ability, more painters have emerged and have joined the group. Currently Pinturas has more than 300 active members, residing mostly in Mexico, but also in other countries around the world.
The Collective has organized exhibitions in Mexico, Italy and the United States. Pintoras Mexicanas has also shown solidarity with several institutions that work for social causes, donating work and organizing auctions to raise funds and thus help those who need it most. On this occasion we are making a fundraiser to benefit the Tarahumara community in the Sierra de Chihuahua.
Composed of artists of great talent and ability, more painters have emerged and have joined the group. Currently Pinturas has more than 300 active members, residing mostly in Mexico, but also in other countries around the world.
The Collective has organized exhibitions in Mexico, Italy and the United States. Pintoras Mexicanas has also shown solidarity with several institutions that work for social causes, donating work and organizing auctions to raise funds and thus help those who need it most. On this occasion we are making a fundraiser to benefit the Tarahumara community in the Sierra de Chihuahua.
Ivonne Cruz
I am a storyteller through photographs. As a storytelling, I understand the deep responsibility I have. As Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie reminds us how, we have multiple stories of culture, lives, interactions, experiences, and places; therefore we risk misunderstanding if we tell one single story. Capturing elements of the human condition with empathy, humility, and great respect are always my goals and approach. I am also interested in the dialogue and relationship that is created between me the photographer, the audience and the subject of the photographs. I believe it is an organic dialogue that is fluid and constantly changing.
I use my camera as my tool to tell the stories that are around me. Throughout the years I have told several stories. As the street photographer, the aesthetics of form and content, composition and lighting, public space and timing were my driving forces.
A future story I wish tell is Cuba. I wish to travel there to gain an understanding of how even though Cubans have seen nothing but war and struggle they persist with dignity with a thriving arts community.
I use my camera as my tool to tell the stories that are around me. Throughout the years I have told several stories. As the street photographer, the aesthetics of form and content, composition and lighting, public space and timing were my driving forces.
A future story I wish tell is Cuba. I wish to travel there to gain an understanding of how even though Cubans have seen nothing but war and struggle they persist with dignity with a thriving arts community.
Lucía Herrera
Born and raised in Chicago, my artistic inspirations originate from my personal hardships and experiences, as well as my Mexican up bringing here in the city.
In 1995 I discovered that I truly enjoy working with my hands. I then found flexibility working with oil pastels however I continue experimenting with other mediums, As a self-taught artist my development has been a journey and a challenge, I depend on my soul, my heart and my hands. I feel that my best accomplishment as an artist is an installation piece I put together for my father Nemecio for Day of the Dead.
This installation which is known as an Altar or Ofrenda, gave me the opportunity to share this experience with all cultures. I was able to explore, photography, poetry, and music. The experience was emotionally rewarding. As an artist I want my work to relate to people of all cultures, through my art I have the opportunity to share a little bit of myself with the world.
In 1995 I discovered that I truly enjoy working with my hands. I then found flexibility working with oil pastels however I continue experimenting with other mediums, As a self-taught artist my development has been a journey and a challenge, I depend on my soul, my heart and my hands. I feel that my best accomplishment as an artist is an installation piece I put together for my father Nemecio for Day of the Dead.
This installation which is known as an Altar or Ofrenda, gave me the opportunity to share this experience with all cultures. I was able to explore, photography, poetry, and music. The experience was emotionally rewarding. As an artist I want my work to relate to people of all cultures, through my art I have the opportunity to share a little bit of myself with the world.
Karina Gómez Meléndez
Self-thought artist from Chihuahua, Mexico. Main painting subjects include day of the death imagery, swallows, hearts, and Mexican pop culture imagery. Artwork derives from childhood memories, family, traditions, and everyday life in Mexico and Chicago.
Painting media mainly consists of acrylics on canvas with pasted rhinestones, watercolors and mixed media drawings. Body of work has a lot of strong primary colors and bold borders with simplified perspective and values.
Painting media mainly consists of acrylics on canvas with pasted rhinestones, watercolors and mixed media drawings. Body of work has a lot of strong primary colors and bold borders with simplified perspective and values.
Laura Gómez Meléndez
Self-thought artist from Chihuahua, Mexico, currently residing in Chicago, IL. Studied Business Administration and Marketing. Main painting subjects include abstract art, human figure, and Mexican art.
Painting media consists of acrylics, charcoal and oil pastels on canvas. Body of work fluctuates from black and subdued colors for her modern art, to strong bold colors for her Mexican art.
Painting media consists of acrylics, charcoal and oil pastels on canvas. Body of work fluctuates from black and subdued colors for her modern art, to strong bold colors for her Mexican art.
Alma Domínguez
Alma Dominguez was born in Chihuahua, México. Her exposure to art began at an early age with her father who is a guitarist. She went on to study music at the Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua a BA in Music. While attending, she also explored visual arts. She is a psychologist with a Masters in Social Science. Director & Founder of the International Women Collective Pintoras Mexicanas. Co-founded OPEN Center for the Arts (Chicago, IL)
Her journey throughout the areas mentioned above have had a mayor influence in her artwork it explores the boundaries of reality, with a flare of surrealism. Her paintings seek to raise political, social and environmental awareness.
Her journey throughout the areas mentioned above have had a mayor influence in her artwork it explores the boundaries of reality, with a flare of surrealism. Her paintings seek to raise political, social and environmental awareness.
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Ricardo Santos Hernándezwas raised on both sides of the border in Nogales, Arizona and Nogales, Sonora, Mexico in the late 1950’s and 1960’s. Ambos Nogales at that time in history was a one city community and the flow of people and families pride themselves as natives of two countries.
In 1980 Ricardo received a degree in elementary education from Arizona State University and taught for ten years in Laredo and Austin, Texas. He studied art at the University of Texas at Austin and received a full scholarship to study painting and drawing at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (MFA 1996). Santos Hernández is a Chicago visual artist and is currently the curator for the Ambos Nogales Border Art Project and the Río Compartido Santa Cruz River Project sponsored by the Lowe House Gallery in Tubac, Arizona. Ricardo’s vision for the Nogales border is to create a cultural bridge where art is the human language that defies the current political climate on immigration and the razor-sharp wire concertina that was recently installed along the wall that separates the United States from Mexico. His art work has been exhibited in Chicago, Houston, New York City, London, England, and various cities throughout the United States and Mexico. Four themes are present in Ricardo’s work; the non-ending war in the middle east and Afghanistan, the effects of the urban dynamic on the human psyche, the politics of the US-Mexico border and immigration, and the rapid destruction of the environment. For more information visit: www.ricardochicanindio.com |
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Hoofprint ChicagoPrint-partners Gabe Hoare and Liz Born formed Hoofprint in 2012. Our studio is located in Mckinley Park, in the Clocktower Industrial Park on Pershing Road.
“Our goal is to edition print-based work that represents a collaboration between the artist and a team of skilled printers. Printmaking is strongly rooted in Drawing, which increases in relevance as its definition expands. Process should extend new possibilities to preserve or transform the autographic mark of the artist’s hand. The techniques we use–lithography, relief, etching and screenprinting–create opportunities to work traditionally or experimentally, and give artists tools to re-contextualize existing themes in their studio practice. The creation of multiples allows more viewers to experience and own original art.” |
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Gabe Hoare and Liz BornGabe Hoare works primarily in sculptural installation and assemblage, transforming print-based works into interactive environments. He creates ritual objects that are both sacred and silly, affirming belief whilst simultaneously poking fun. After receiving his BFA from the University of Florida, Gabe went on to assist artists at Robert Blackburn Printmaking Workshop and Tandem Press, including Eddie Martinez, Sam Gilliam, and Suzanne Caporael. His work has been featured at venues including the Milk Factory and Co-prosperity Sphere.
Liz Born is a Chicago-based artist. Working primarily in relief and lithography, she illustrates the communion between animals and human-animals. Liz has taught relief, screenprinting, and intaglio at Spudnik Press, The Hyde Park Art Center, and Marwen. Her work has been featured at venues including Heaven Gallery, Woman-Made, and the Jane Addams Hull House Museum. |
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Nicole Marroquinis an interdisciplinary artist, researcher and teacher educator whose current research looks at Chicago school uprisings between 1967-74. She has recently been an artist in-residence at the Chicago Cultural Center, with the Propeller Fund at Mana Contemporary, at Watershed, Ragdale, ACRE and Oxbow. In 2017 she presented her art and research at the Hull House Museum, Northwestern University and the Museum of Contemporary Art. In 2015, Marroquin was invited to present research at the University of Chicago in conjunction with the exhibit The City Lost and Found: Capturing New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles, 1960–1980 and at the Art Institute of Chicago for the symposium The Wall of Respect and People’s Art Since 1967. Her essays are included in the Chicago Social Practice History Series, Revista Contratiempo and AREA Chicago Magazine, and her work is in the permanent collection of the National Museum of Mexican Art. In 2012 her work was featured in the 1ro Bienial Continental de Arte Indigenas Contemporaria at the Museo Nacional De Culturas Populares in Mexico City. She was a Joan Mitchell Fellow at the Center for Racial Justice Innovation in 2014, and she received the Sor Juana Inez de la Cruz Women of Excellence Award in 2011 for her work in her community. She received an MFA from the University of Michigan in 2008 and she is Associate Professor in the Department of Art Education at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
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Anna Hasseltineis a Chicago-based artist and printmaker. Originally from Boston, she graduated in 2015 from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn with a BFA in Printmaking. When Anna is not screenprinting gig posters and fine art prints at Delicious Design League, she is drawing, carving, and printing woodcuts, linocuts and screenprints at Hoofprint in McKinley Park. Anna is fascinated by wildlife and animal behavior, and finds herself searching the depths of flora and fauna to help resolve life’s unanswered questions.
Her prints draw inspiration from literary works such as Shakespearian tragedies to Aesop’s Fables. Anna has a particular interest in innate animal behavior and how animal instinct manifests itself in our human conduct and interactions. The animals in her work become metaphors for our daily life on a personal, national, and global level. Power struggles, aggression, predator-prey relationships, and the battle for survival are common themes and concepts explored in her work. |
THEATER & PERFORMANCE
DELIA
Delia is a multi-media performance. It includes Butoh dance, performed by the Thai dance Wannapa P Eubanks; theatre, interpreted by Carolina Rodríguez and film, the short Delia el instante que precede produced by Colectivo El Pozo, Interactivo Productions and Carlo Serra Films. The story recounts the last seconds of life of an immigrant woman trapped in her apartment on a cold Chicago night. Wavering between denial and accept of her death, she recalls the three most impactful moments of her life as an immigrant. Dance, theatre and film blend to highlight her journey to Chicago, working and having faith.
Wannapa Pimtong-Eubanks
Wannapa Pimtong-Eubanks is a Butoh Artist, movement coach, and actress. She is a native Thai. Her venues include Goodman Theatre, Raven Theatre, Chicago Cultural Center, The Athenaeum Theatre, Victory Garden Theatre, MCA, Links Hall, Ruth Page Center for the Arts, Access Living, Out of Site, and many more... She was chosen to be showcased for Dance/USA showcase 2011 at the Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago. Wannapa has been part of Laura Crotte’s theatre group to present the “Day of the Death” show for students in Chicago schools. She is also a company member of Erasing the Distance, a documentary theatre exploring mental health. Wannapa has conceived and produced Through My Daughter’s Eyes as part of the 2016 PopUp Series for Erasing the Distance by collaborating Theater, and Butoh in the work. Her recent work as a Movement Coach/Choreographer for Collectivo El Pozo theatre group. She has taught Butoh workshops such as Butoh workshop for actors at Collaboration Theatre Company, Erasing the Distance [Doc.Fest 2018], Halcyon Theatre, Butoh Body, Chicago Inclusive Dance Festival 2019 [Co-curated by Body Work, Access Living, and Momenta], and individuals artists/actors as part of movement coaching.
Carolina Escrich Hochman
Carolina Escrich Hochman found her passion for theatre 17 years ago when she started studying in many different acting schools in her home city Buenos Aires, Argentina. She graduated from Andamio 90 Acting school in 2004 and then moved to Chicago. After 8 years of living in this amazing city, she decided to pursue her dream of being on stage again and her dream has finally come true. Carolina has performed in the Colectivo El Pozo productions Allá en San Fernando, El edificio and in the short film Delia el instante que precede. She would like to thank her family for their support as she pursues her dreams.
La tejedora
de Marina Colasanti. Interpretado por Angela Olssen.
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Olssen is a Mexican actress, graduated from Centro Teatral Virigina Fábregas. She works as a theatrical and musical actress and voice artist. She has participated in projects such as Una noche en el Edén sidereal, Un solo ideal, The Last Days of Judas Iscariot, In the Heights, 12X10, The Pirates of Penzance, A Beautiful Fight, La Risa de Dios 2019 and has dubbed in Spanish for TV series, video games and films such as Sesame Street, Fat Princess Adventures, Counterfeit Cat, Game of Thrones, American Crime, Veep, Fénix y Koe no Katachi.
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Mariposa de obsidiana
de Octavio Paz. Interpretado por Miriam Román
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Román, originally from Morelos, México, arrived to Chicago in the late 90s. The films and books of Alejandro Jodorowski motived her to cross the threshold into the arts. This is her third time presenting on the stage: her first performance was in 2017 as part of the cast of El huerto, produced by El Quijote and then she graced the stage again in 2018 with the play Camazotz by Colectivo El Pozo.
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RATAS DE DOS PATAS
Meet Ratas De Dos Patas! Four streetwise teachers who are here to teach you some life lessons and at least one phrase in Spanish! Using an audience suggestion, these maestras translate the word/phrase into Spanish, and use it to create larger than life scenes that will have you jaja-ing till your eyeliner runs!
Ratas De Dos Patas is a collective of four badass boss women who have taken the Chicago improv scene by storm! They were nominated for Outstanding Improv Ensemble by the Alliance of Latinx Theatre Artists and performed in the Melanin Festival at Second City. RDDP performed to a sold out crowd at Steppenwolf's Lookout Series: Las Locas presents Look Out for Locas! They have had four successful runs at the Annoyance Theatre and look forward to the next one! Always looking to highlight diverse talent,RDDP intentionally curates their weekly shows to feature POC, LGBTQ and differently abled performers. They produced a sold out, standing room only Dia De Los Muertos show combining cultural ritual with improv. They produced a Loteria themed fundraiser for the Chicago Period Project and recently performed at Laugh for Love--a fundraiser for RAICES. They had a knockout show at Femprovisor Fest in San Francisco. Coming up they will be flying to Austin, TX to perform and teach workshops at The Hideout theatre. Coming up they will be performing in the Bentwood Festival at iO (Chicago), Chicago Funny Women Festival (Dtage 773) and the Compass Festival (STL). Later this year they will be producing their first sketch show inspired by la reina Selena Quintanilla!!! Follow their journey on Instagram (@ratas_de_2_patas) and Facebook.
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Jessi RealzolaRealzola is a Chicago based comedic actor, writer, improvisor, and producer. She has graced the stages of Steppenwolf, Second City TC, iO Chicago, Annoyance, The Den, The Crowd Theater, The Playground Theater, CIC and many more. Jessi’s performer credits include video sketch for KneeSlapz Produckshuns, Love Rules and Pre-Existing web series, various sketch shows, film festivals throughout the year, CSBF performer, Chicago Women’s Funny Festival, Femprovisor Fest, and improv with Las Tinas, Ratas de Dos Patas, Heraldo, and Concsious Pontius. Jessi uses her rich Mexican background as a source for inspiration in her characters and as material when she’s creating original sketch and web pieces. She has produced variety comedy shows all over Chicago that focus on highlighting diverse and underrepresented talent. Jessi believes that building shows for minority and diverse talent is important for the growth and advancement of art as a whole. Jessi owes her success in comedy to the love and support from her family and friends, but most importantly, her husband Luan.
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Abigail PiñonPiñon is a Chicago-based actor who enjoys performing/ writing/producing/directing comedy, improv, and theatre all throughout the city. She is extremely thrilled to be playing with her amores, Ratas de Dos Patas! Currently, you can find Abigail performing with Cosmic at CSz Theatre in Chicago. In Chi, she has graced such stages as The Second City TC, The Playground, The Crowd, The Annoyance, iO, CIC, CSz, Otherworld Theatre, Steppenwolf, and more! She has also performed in a variety of short films, web series, and online media in Chicago, New York, and L.A. Additionally, Abi is a Legacy Coach at the CMI Leadership Summit based in Toronto and a Teaching Artist at The Warehouse Project & Gallery based in her hometown of Summit. “Shout-out to us Summit kids chasing our dreams!” She’d also like to give a shout-out to her family and friends who’ve supported her every step of the way, “Especially mi mamá, papá, y hermano who’ve always made me feel like anything is possible.” For more of Abi’s adventures, follow her on instagram @abigailpinon!
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Kendra JamaicaJamaica is a Chicago based comedic actor, improviser, and writer. Being a proud Mexican woman, her desire to be with other likeminded personalities led her to put together the baddest improv troupe you’ve ever seen! An honored member of Ratas de Dos Patas, she is grateful to have made great strides alongside these women. She has been seen on a number of stages around the Chicago, recently in Huggable Riot’s 22nd Review and The Annoyance Theatre’s production of “Splatter Theatre”. She is/was a member of Valid Hysteria, Generation Latin X, and The Annoyance Theatre’s House short form team. Originally from Chicago, the amazing cultural arts scene led Kendra to actively pursue acting and comedy and has been lucky to have performed at some companies such as Steppenwolf Theater, The Annoyance Theatre, iO Theater, SecondCity, Laugh Out Loud Theater, The Playground, The Crowd, Stage 773, and The Den.
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Marilet MartinezMartinez is a San Francisco native, actor, improviser, teaching artist(with an emphasis in trauma informed practice), fight choreographer, puppeteer, Zumba instructor, nacho enthusiast, Leo Sun/Moon Scorpio rising, bruja homegirl. Her mission is to play, educate, uplift the community...and to dismantle systems of oppression to create a more equitable society. She is a co-founder of the Bay Area Latinx Theatre Artist Network (BALTAN) and a member of the "Yeah I Said Feminist" Theatre Salon. In The Bay, Marilet has performed with ACT’s The Strand, Berkeley Rep’s Ground Floor, Calshakes, the Magic Theatre’s Virgin Play Series, Theatreworks’ New Plays Festival, the Tony award winning San Francisco Mime Troupe, Shotgun Players, Crowded Fire, Teatrovision, Word for Word, Impact Theatre(company member)and an associate artist with the Cutting Ball Theatre. Sheworks as an on-call as Master Teaching Artist for Kaiser Permanente Educational Theatre creating interactive social/emotional health programming for young people. She has performed improv as part of Leela’s Armando Company, Leela’s Pie Team True Medusa, the all-female Harold team Sorry Not Sorry and her duo with Marcia Kailian Pura Pocha. She has performed in SFIF, Femprovisor Fest and Improvaganza Hawaii. In Chicago, Marilet has played on the ALTA (Alliance for Latinx Theatre Artists) award nominated teams: Ratas de Dos Patas, Improvisexation, and (winner) Generation Latinx. She has also performed at iO, Laugh Out Loud Theatre, CIC. She is an ensemble member at Comedy Sportz Chicago. Follow her on Instagram @mariletmartinezsf and @ratas_de_2_patas
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Repertorio Latino Theater Company
Repertorio Latino Theater Company is a local non for profit that will be present at the Pilsen Fest bringing costumes and props to interact and take pictures with the audience, looking to engage in conversations about theater in Spanish in Chicago and the upcoming Chicago Latino Theater Festival.
Partners
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Collaborations
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Media Partner
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