County Museum Celebrates Hispanic Heritage with Art Exhibit

Culture is a fearless entity and the devotion of the community to the Inland Empire Latino Arts Association (IELAA) event on Friday, Sept. 6 at the San Bernardino County Museum was felt to the core. Comprised of local Latino artists who work through various mediums, the IELLA, together with the museum, hosted a reception for the Hispanic Heritage Art exhibit now on display in celebration of Hispanic Heritage month, observed from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 this year. The event was packed with pieces showcased for the theme “Suenos y Realidad," - "Dreams and Reality" - A Non-tradition Experience. “One of our goals for the Artists Association is to increase awareness about the arts and allow people to express themselves in the art,” said Brad Borrero, a multimedia artist."Our group is so diverse; that’s why we chose a non-traditional experience." The association also has art showcased at the National Orange Show. This exhibit will kick off the IELAA’s 22nd annual art show. In 1985, Dr. Tom Rivera and his wife and Dr. Lily Rivera invited Latino artists from the community to their home in Grand Terrace to fund-raise for awareness. Some of these artists, Rudy Ramirez, Ernie Colunga, Roberto Garcia and Saul Hernandez, kept pursuing their dream and in 1991 the association held its first art exhibit at the National Orange Show, entitled "Fiesta de Colores." “That’s what we’ve been doing for years, exhibiting our artwork and giving it back to the community. We also have been promoting education and keeping the arts going, especially with the younger generation. We want to make them aware that if they have dreams...they can make a living out of the arts,” said Rudy Ramirez, IELAA president. The art will be showcased until Sept. 27 at the San Bernardino County Museum in Redlands with the price of regular admission.