The 15th Anniversary San Diego Latino Film Festival, presented by State Farm Insurance, is proud to once again showcase the amazing talent of local San Diego / Baja California artists.

Quinceanera Exhibition

This year's Arte Latino 2008, will be celebrating the art of 8 local artists; including:  Rafael Lopez, Carmen Kalo, Selena Calvo, Elaine Ruiz, Ricardo Islas, Enrique "Chikle" Lugo, and Bob Rob Medina.  These artists have each made a special work celebrating the Quinceanera tradition!

All of the beautiful art will be displayed and for sale in the lobby of the UltraStar Mission Valley Cinemas at Hazard Center (off 163 Freeway & Friars Rd).  The Arte Latino 2008 Exhibition is free and can be viewed from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily from March 6-16th. 

All art sales (15%) benefit Media Arts Center San Diego's year-round education programming and services (i.e. Teen Producers Project).  Support Teen Producers Project and local Latino artists at the same time!  

2008 Festival Artwork

This year's amazing image for the 15th Anniversary poster, was painted by RAFAEL LOPEZ.  The work of Rafael López is a fusion of strong graphic style and magical symbolism. Growing up in Mexico City he was immersed by his architect parents in the rich cultural heritage and native color of street life. Influenced by Mexican muralists, dichos and myths he developed a bold, vital drawing style with roots in these traditions. In 2005 at the Library of Congress, his first children’s book Me Llamo Celia, My name is Celia about the life of the late salsa singer Celia Cruz won the prestigious Americas Award and was also honored with the 2006 Pura Belpre. The Latino Dance stamp he created for the United States Postal Service was featured on the cover of the Commemorative Stamp Yearbook and in 2006 at a special exhibition at the Smithsonian called Trendsetters. His second stamp designed in 2006 for the U.S. Postal Service celebrates an important political case about equality in education.  Rafael divides his time between his studios in the colonial town of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico and a loft in downtown San Diego.  

2008 CORAZON AWARDS

Local artist MONI BLOOM was commissioned to create our beautiful awards for 2008. 

Monia is a fulltime sculptor for the past 18 years and member of Clay Associates.  Her work has been shown in galleries and museums throughout Southern California including Los Angeles Craft and Folk Museum, Sauvage Gallery, Del Mano, and Gallery 8.

Call SCULPTURES & MASKS IN CLAY at 619.563.8981 for informationon her upcoming events.