Create! Magazine is pleased to share the announcement of WE BELONG, a public art exhibition by four Latinx-Hispanic visual artists based in Philadelphia curated by Sean 9 Lugo. Calo Rosa, Manuela Guillen, Marisa Velazquez-Rivas, and Sean 9 Lugo use their work to tell the stories that center the Latinx-Hispanic experience in the United States. WE BELONG is inspired by Latinx-Hispanic immigrants and the children of immigrants that take part in building an America that is better for one another. Yet, our community often faces racial barriers, often seen as “outsiders” – the words “what are you” or “go back to your country” are familiar to our community. While these actions are meant to keep our community oppressed, we find ways to thrive. WE BELONG is a space that spotlights our community’s stories of survival, resilience, and joy.
We encourage those who experience the public art exhibition to ask themselves, how will you support marginalized communities; will you actively listen to our stories, the story of our families; will you accept all Americans no matter how they got here? Join us in this empowering public art exhibition that unites us and pushes forward the message WE BELONG.
Meet the diverse artists:
Sean 9 Lugo, wheatpasting his way through urban neighborhoods. Brown boy representing the duality of both Latin and American culture and experiences through masks that can either misconceive or stereotype perceptions.
Manuela Guillén is a freelance painter, muralist, and digital illustrator currently living in North Philadelphia. Born in Miami to Cuban and Salvadorian immigrant parents. She is inspired by plants, tropical colors, and her cultural upbringing, Manuela aims to bring awareness to art education, sociopolitical, and environmental issues. As a Spanish/Art teacher, Manuela hopes to inspire her students to be creative as she continues to bring communities closer together through art.
Carlos Lopez Rosa is from a family of artists practicing diverse media including graphic design, music, oil painting, and cake-making. He holds a degree in Fine and Visual Arts from the Centro Nacional de Artes (CENAR) and a degree in graphic design from Don Bosco University. After becoming frustrated with the exclusivity of the San Salvador gallery scene, he began to define his own street art style and now lives and works in Philadelphia. His colorful pieces portray Historical Memory, the vibrant Latin American culture, and mirror the sounds, roots, and forms of the urban-tropical lifestyle.
“Living away, my artwork is focused on how the tropics have influenced my individual and our collective identities and how “home” follows us immigrants —wherever we go. El Tropico lo llevamos Adentro.”
Marisa Velazquez-Rivas is a design director born in Puerto Rico, raised in Venezuela, and currently working out of Philadelphia. Her illustration work touches on a variety of topics, from social American issues to queer love, to memorable figures in her life.
University City Arts League
4226 Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
May 21 – June 18, 2021
On view weekdays from 10am – 3pm, or by appointment
