Jan 21 – April 8 | CASITA MARIA: 80 YEARS OF INSPIRING THE FUTURE
CASITA MARIA: 80 YEARS OF INSPIRING THE FUTURE
Casita Maria Center for Arts & Education’s 80th Anniversary Exhibition Celebrates its Alumni
BRONX, NY – (January 2015) Casita Maria Center for Arts & Education, the first charitable organization to serve the Latino Community in New York, is proud to present CASITA MARIA: 80 YEARS OF INSPIRING THE FUTURE, an exhibition that celebrates Casita’s 80th anniversary through the life stories and achievements of ten of its most distinguished alumni.
From its origins in El Barrio, East Harlem in 1934 up until today in the South Bronx, Casita Maria has been a second “home” and safe haven to local youth and their families, offering social services, arts and education. Throughout the years, many “Casita Kids,” have gone on to become outstanding successes in their lives.
CASITA MARIA: 80 YEARS OF INSPIRING THE FUTURE presents the personal narratives and select objects from the following Casita Maria alumni: ALEXANDER ACEVEDO, internationally acclaimed Gallerist; JOE CONZO SR., Latin Music Historian; LORRAINE CORTÉS-VÁZQUEZ, one-time 65th Secretary of State of New York. DAVID GONZALEZ, award winning Journalist for The New York Times and Photographer; GRANDMASTER MELLE MEL, Hip Hop Pioneer; “The King of Latin Music,” TITO PUENTE; TINA RAMIREZ, Founder of the world-renowned Ballet Hispanico; “LADY L,” LYNN SAUNDERS, Hip Hop Artist; EDWIN TORRES, Author and New York State Supreme Court Judge; and DAVE VALENTIN, award-winning Latin Jazz Musician.
On view from January 21 through April 8, 2015, the exhibition will contain photography, music, costumes and ephemera that represent key moments or achievements in these accomplished alumni’s lives. For example, on display will be music, rare recordings and photographs of TITO PUENTE and DAVE VALENTIN, and other props and costumes representing the careers of TINA RAMIREZ and GRANDMASTER MELLE MEL.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
EXHIBITION DATES January 21 – April 8, 2015
CASITA & ALUMNUS BENNY BONILLA’S 80TH BIRTHDAY PARTY
Wed., January 21, 2015 from 6 – 8 PM
IMAGINING WORKSHOP: ENVISIONING CASITA IN 20 YEARS
Wed., March 11, 2015 from 4 – 6 PM
ALUMNUS TALK: DAVID GONZALEZ IN CONVERSATION WITH ELENA MARTINEZ
Thurs., April 2, 2015 from 6 – 8 PM
ALL EVENTS ARE FREE
For more info visit: http://www.casitamaria.org/casitamariaeightyyears
Exhibiting Alumni:
ALEXANDER ACEVEDO
JOE CONZO, SR.
LORRAINE CORTES-VAZQUEZ
DAVID GONZALEZ
GRANDMASTER MELLE MEL
TITO PUENTE
TINA RAMIREZ
“LADY L,” LYNN SAUNDERS
EDWIN TORRES
DAVE VALENTIN
