“Perspective: Look inside and find out”

Abraham Maciñeiras (Cuba, 1972)

Born in La Habana, Macineiras later moved to Spain where he spent many years before moving to the states. While studying for a masters in Florida, Macineiras had the opportunity of doing something he was curious to try, working over another artist's work. He was given engravings by the late 18th century and early 19th century master Goya, made in Spain with the original metal plate in which Goya sketched and carved these drawings, a series called Tauromaquia. And behold a new series, Perversiones de la Tauromaquia, was born. Macineiras brings geometric shapes and abstract inspiration using bold metallic silver paint into the classic and detailed work of a master of the arts, an artist who was considered one of the first in modernist painting and sketches. Bringing history back to life with an homage to the old master and a modern twist created by the one and only Abraham Maciñeiras

Alejandro Pedrido (Cuba, 1990)

Born in Remedios Cuba, Pedrido certainly is connected to his roots. Moving to Santiago de Chile at the end of his teen years after attending the Escuela Ascunce Domenech in Santa Clara for only one year, Pedrido began the start of his artistic career with a longing and nostalgia for the once familiar warm and tropical island, as well as new inspiration from a completely different and european styled country. Living and working out of Miami only 4 years now Pedridos work is a force that cannot be ignored. With his large scaled piece Señales he speaks of worlds beyond, using magnificent bouts of light surrounded by dark outlines, swirling white vines and an enigmatic image. His second work, Series El Amor es un Juego, is a captivating and novel piece with great composition, using hard and soft brush strokes to bring together this intimate, attractive and unique work of art.

Alfredo Rolon (Puerto Rico, 1981)

Born in San Juan Puerto Rico, Rolon is now based in Miami, Florida. Beginning his artistic training  at the Central de Artes Visuales, a specialized school of the arts in Puerto Rico, he later earned a bachelor's degree in fine arts, specializing in sculpture from the Escuela de Artes Plastica de San Juan. The exclusive and unique sculptures of Rolon, part of his Series Primal Force, utilize the pyramid as a symbol of stability, a firm structure that interacts with vulnerable, once living organic material. The pieces focus on the moment of contact, the moment when two entities join and generate a new possibility, a new and unknowing union. Through this interaction the artist investigates rupture, transformation and the emergence of form produced by opposing and completely different forces. Or are they?

Arbelio Fontes (Cuba, 1973)

Fontes was born in Camaguey, Cuba and graduated from La Escuela de Bellas Artes San Alejandro in 1996. He has exhibited in many exhibitions throughout Cuba and abroad. His symbolic surrealism is one enjoyed by all and his clean and minimalistic design emanates the strength of simplicity while using vibrant colors and textures. Inspired by his immigration from Cuba, Fontes focuses on depicting the hardships as well as changes we all must go through in order to evolve. His meticulous details and work of patience are all due to his magnificent talent. His larger work, X, painted in an array of colors behind a vibrant and eye-catching red in softer and darker tones, is inspired by the x that marks all humans. Born with either XY or XX, the x that marks the spot, that makes a choice for you, that represents you. His second piece, No Title, uses a simple light colored burlap laced with metallic thread to be the backdrop to his small figures in bright and neon colors, a new and attractive piece.

Arbelio Fontes Rodríguez (AFR :.)

Nacido en Camagüey, Cuba, en 1973, graduado de la Escuela de Bellas Artes San Alejandro (1996)

Su carrera expositiva incluye múltiples muestras colectivas y personales en Cuba y el extranjero. Entre sus eventos más relevantes destacan su exposición personal en la Artlabbe Gallery, Coral Gables (julio 2022), y su presencia permanente en la Galería Futurama, Miami, desde ese mismo año. Ha participado en importantes exposiciones colectivas como Latino Art (Austin, 2022), La Mano Hispana (Hialeah, 2022), Fragilidad (Hialeah, 2023), Cubanostalgia (Miami, 2023), Kovens Conference Center FIU (2023), Honoring the Woman (2024), LES COULEURS Art Gallery (2024), Onsite Art Gallery Brickell (2024) y Mar-a-Lago Club (West Palm Beach, 2025), entre muchas otras.

Su obra forma parte de colecciones privadas en Estados Unidos, Canadá, España, Francia, Cuba, México, Italia, Irlanda, Australia y República Dominicana. Su trabajo ha sido reseñado en publicaciones especializadas como la revista Artepoli (No. XXII 2019 y No. XXXV 2022), Artista con Mayúscula – Antología de artículos de Ángel Alonzo (2023) y C de Cuba – Cuban Art Magazine (No. 32, 2024).

Derwin Leiva (Cuba, 1978)

Leiva was born in Santa Clara, Cuba and developed a love for art early on in his life. A young memory of his is one of helping his grandfather make charcoal from the Aroma tree, giving  him access to free materials for drawing. Moving to Miami in 1995 and then to Hawaii in 2004, where he now works and lives, the passion followed. His foundation began at the Honolulu Museum of Arts Linekoma School where he took classes in art before pursuing a bachelor's degree in Fine Arts, concentrating in sculpture, from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Leiva's distinct style and figures let his work be known wherever it may stand. His large scale piece, Los Jugadores de Domino, uses his cubist and abstract forms to depict a familiar and comfortable scene, where all is good fun, where bodies move and play and where rhythm comes to life. Using extraordinary details, inspiration in Cuban music and working extremely well with lights and shadows, his work is alive with every stroke and every piece.

Derwin Leiva was born in Santa Clara, Cuba, in 1978. He developed a love for art early on. He often helped his grandfather make charcoal from the Aroma tree to get free materials for his drawings. Derwin would collect empty cigarette boxes, break them apart, and use the white interior to sketch. He loved drawing with charcoal on various surfaces, a practice that fueled his growing love for art. In 1995 he moved to Miami and in 2004 he moved to Hawaii where he currently resides. Leiva’s artistic foundation was shaped at the Honolulu Museum of Art’s Linekona School, where he took classes before pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts with a concentration in sculpture from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Although his work has been influenced by artists like Picasso, Boccioni, and Wifredo Lam; Cuban music has always been a constant backdrop to his work. Through the use of rhythm and motion in his work he mirrors the experience of freedom found through Cuban music.

Leiva was featured in the acclaimed documentary series Art Titans: Masters of The New Era. Furthermore, he has participated in several international exhibitions including International Biennale Barcelona, Spain and Biennale Internazionale D’Arte Contemporanea 2019 in Mantova, Italy.

His work has been displayed at the MEAN (European Museum of Modern Art), the Diocesan Museum Francesco Gonzaga, United State Embassy in Guatemala and Muscat, Oman. His work has been published worldwide by magazines like: World of Art, Exquisite Arts, Spotlight Contemporary Art, Art International Contemporary, Create, Edge of Humanity and several books like Important World Artist, Current Masters, Masters of Today, Trends in Art: Insights for Collectors, Art Retreat, Moonlight Sonatas, Excellent Art, 100 Artist of the Future, Top 10 Contemporary Artists and Cubism from Hawaii.

Leiva’s work has been recognized internationally. He has received numerous prestigious awards, including the Artexpo New York “Best New Exhibitor Award,” the “International Caravaggio Prize – Great Master of Art,” the “International Botticelli Award,” the “International Diego Velázquez Prize,” and the “International Michelangelo Award.” In addition, Leiva was recognized as “Artist of the Year 2019” at the Mantua Art Expo. He was also awarded the title “Artist of the Future” by Contemporary Art Curator Magazine, and named “Artist of the Year 2020” by World of Art Magazine for Best in Art and Creativity. Honored as Artavita’s Artist of the Year in 2024 for outstanding artistic achievement and most recently, he received the “Artist of the Year 2025” award from The Effetto Arte Foundation, presented at Palazzo Pucci in Florence.

Ventura Gonzalez (Cuba, 1952)

Ventura Gonzalez was born in Baguanos, Holguin and studied painting and drawing in the Escuela de Artes Plasticas in Holguin, graphic design in the National School of Arts Applied in Havana City and has a degree in art history from Havana University. Gonzalez has also exhibited in more than 30 exhibitions across Cuba as well as many art fairs in South Florida. This artist leaves a part of himself in every work of art he creates, using different techniques and textures in order to express his feelings and thoughts with harmonious but distinguished figures, blending his very strong Cuban roots with his personal memories and journey. Using bright colors as well as neutrals Ventura paints his favored figure, the fish, depicted in three of his four works presented in this display. The fish is a symbol of fertility, abundance and spiritual transformation and is prominent in work by Ventura.

Studies realized.

Drawing and Painting. Escuela taller de Artes Plasticas, Juan Jose Fornet Pina, Holguin 1965-69

Design Graphics, National School of Art’s Applied, Havana City, Cuba, 1976-1981

Degree in Art’s History, Arts and Letters Faculty, Havana’s University, 1983-1993.

Personal Exhibitions:

Painting and Drawing, Máximo Gómez’s Library, Havana City, Cuba, 1982.

Drawings, Laboratory Pharmacist Reynaldo Gutierrez, Havana City, Cuba,, 1983.

Presence of Martí, Plumillas, Art’s Gallery La Lisa, Havana City, Cuba, 1983.

Paints, Laboratory Pharmacist’s Rancho Boyeros, Havana City, Cuba, 1983.

Drawings, Culture’s House of Alquízar, Havana Province, Cuba, 1983

Color of May, Galiano Art’s Gallery, Havana City, Cuba, 1986.

Nature with Two Hands, Boada Art’s Gallery, Cotorro, Havana City, Cuba, 1997.

Sample of the Month, Cerro’s Museum, Havana City, Cuba, 1997.

Oils, Manuel Fajardo, Institute of Physical Culture, Havana City, Cuba, 1997.

Reencuentro, Gallery’s Art San Miguel del Padrón, Havana City, Cuba, 1997.

Tree of Life, October 10 Gallery, Havana City, Cuba, 1998.

With the smell of Spring, Peregrino de Obispo Gallery, Havana City, Cuba, 2000.

Footprint, Alejandro de Humboldt House, Havana City, Cuba, 2001

Guardians of Water, Educational Channel, Havana City, Cuba, 2003.

Other Guardians, Colina’s Hotel, Havana City, Cuba, 2005.

Memoria Insular, Mariano Rodriguez Gallery, Habana del Este, Cuba, 2017

Carpe Diem, Fajad Jamis Gallery, Habana del Este, Cuba, 2020

Collective exhibitions:

Students Novels, Art’s Gallery Calixto Garcia, Holguin,1969

National Drawing and Painting Salon, Camaguey’s Art Gallery, 1971

Exhibition Collective, National Guiñol Theater, Havana City, Cuba, 1983

8 Paintings, 8 Painters, Municipal Museum 10 de Octubre , Havana City, Cuba, 1983

Thirteen by Nine, National Guiñol Theater, Havana City, Cuba, 1985.

Second Havana Biennial, Teodoro Ramos Blanco’s Gallery, Havana City, Cuba, 1984.

Sixth Havana Biennial, 10 de Octubre Art’s Gallery, Havana City, Cuba, 2000.

Come together, International Press Center, Havana City, Cuba, 2001.

Confluencias amistosas, Mariano Rodríguez’s Gallery, Havana City, Cuba, 2002.

Tribute to Martí, CENIC, Yeti Community Group, Havana City, Cuba, 2003.

Yeti Group, Mella Theater, Havana City, Cuba, 2003.

Yeti Group, School of Pedagogy, Havana City, Cuba, 2004.

Yeti Group, Colina’s Hotel, Havana City, Cuba, 2004.

Hurón Azul Museum, Havana City, Cuba, 2004.

Yeti Group, Salvador Allende Memorial, Havana City, 2005

Yeti Group, School of Medicine, Havana City, Cuba, 2005.

Between Friends, Villa Panamericana, Havana City, Cuba, 2005.

Olorum Group, Yoruba Cultural Society, Havana City, Cuba, 2006.

Erotic Art Salon, Alamar, Havana City, Cuba, 2006.

Olorum, Ramos Blanco Gallery, Havana City, Cuba, 2007.

Exhibitions with the Free Time Group:

Cerro Art’s Gallery, Havana City, Cuba, 1982.

Free Time in Graphics, Art Gallery, Havana City, Cuba, 1984.

Expo by National Culture Day, Lenin Park, Havana City, Cuba, 1985.

Fourth Anniversary of Free Time, La Lisa Art Gallery, Havana City, Cuba, 1985.

Other Line of Work, Cerro Art’s Gallery, Havana City, Cuba, 1985.

Ten in the V, San Miguel del Padron Art Gallery, Havana City, Cuba.

Awards:

Premio Gitana Tropical 2011, Tropical Gypsy 2011

Yubani Sanchez (Cuba, 1986)

AUTOBIOGRAPHY

Yubani Sánchez Fernández.

I was born in Camagüey-Cuba on September 16, 1986 at 6:10 p.m. in the bosom of a

simple and loving family. My parents Elba and Gilberto gave me a good upbringing from

the beginning. However, the disease accompanied me throughout my childhood and

adolescence, preventing me from having a normal life. I remember one morning that my

grandmother Paula after returning from the hospital told me that the doctor had told her

that she had a spiritual gift and that in the future she would help many people, I don't

know if he told her to reassure her and give her a little hope in my health situation, but

the truth is that over the years this prophecy has been fulfilled.

I was never a great student, I had difficulty learning, so school was like torture. But

everything changed when at the age of 10 I visited the house of an artist who taught

drawing and painting. With him I began my first steps and my preparation to enroll in the

art school of my city, despite the technical level I reached I did not manage to reach that

goal, but this refusal did not extinguish my desire to become an artist —when one lives

in a country without freedom where control is exercised over its inhabitants, they often

decide who will be favored and what each should study. With this teacher I learned

everything I needed in terms of painting techniques, although what I am most grateful to

him for is his friendship and the love he instilled in me for nature and art.

In the following years I began to participate in several group exhibitions in which I was

able to share my talent and knowledge with many people. In 2008 I received my first

prize with the work "New Alliance", in addition to deepening the study of the history of

art, philosophy and religion, all this was shaping my aesthetic thinking, stimulating my

creativity, and expanding my perception in all areas of human life. As part of this stage

of maturation I embraced the Catholic faith, receiving its sacraments from the Church.

Faith has not only filled my life with meaning, but it has also elevated my work to a

much more penetrating and spiritual dimension.

One of my intentions as an artist is to reveal to the world the beauty and presence of

God in nature. To enter into the invisible life of the things created by Him and to

proclaim His truth and His mercy – And "even though it is true that God is a hidden

presence, we have only to let nature speak to us of the God who is hidden everywhere"

God is not far from each one of us, and art is the ideal instrument to bring the human

heart closer to the heart of the Divine. that is why I have consecrated myself and I have

as the most important thing to manifest through my works, that silent and mysterious

cry, that universal call to the Origin and the Source of all creation.

Already graduated from trade school in the specialty of crafts I had to perform several

jobs to be able to survive, without leaving my passion, which was painting, in those

years I worked in a block factory, in a carpentry shop, I melted plastic objects, I sold

imported clothes, among other things, until in 2017 I began to work as a set designer for

the Music Center in Cuba, a job that opened many doors for me, however the

economic situation persisted so I made the decision to emigrate.

In 2019 I left the country for Guyana where I also took on a series of tasks to survive

and help my family in Cuba, but the most important thing I experienced at that time was

the birth of my daughter Ariel. Two years later I began a journey to reach the U.S.

passing through several countries: I crossed the Amazon, the Darien jungle, I got in

touch with various cultures and indigenous peoples, sometimes putting my life at risk,

but at the same time gaining a very profitable experience that marked my life and

strengthened my perseverance and my desire to succeed.

Today 2024, already in the U.S., thank God, I continue to pursue my dream as an artist:

working hard, painting, participating in exhibitions, feeding the dream. I am so grateful to

God and to this great nation full of opportunity that opened its doors to me and tells me

that I can do it