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MISSION
Palmetto & Luna’s mission is to foster an understanding
of the Hispanic/Latino culture by promoting artistic creation
and providing opportunities for cultural expression for the
community in South Carolina.
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Create awareness of the Hispanic/Latino arts and culture
in South Carolina.
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Expand the scope of art exhibitions and art education in
South Carolina to include Hispanic/Latino artists in order
to present more diverse insights and inspiration and the
often misunderstood cultural manifestation of Hispanic/Latino
artists.
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Help to integrate the rapidly growing Hispanic/Latino population
into the mainstream arts community.
- Promote
emerging Hispanic/Latino artists in South Carolina.
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Empower the Hispanic/Latino community through collaborative
public art programs.
BOARD
OF DIRECTORS |
IVAN
SEGURA -Executive Director-
Ivan
Segura, born in Aguascalientes, Mexico three hundred
and forty six years ago, has dwelled into several artistic
endeavors until finally deciding to follow his High
School teacher's advice ("What the heck are you
doing trying to paint or sculpt? You are a writer, did
you hear me? A writer!"), and zeroing on the aspects
of creating stories through words. He has published
several short stories and a collection of poems. A devoted
advocate for the Hispanic community, Ivan has organized
a number of artistic projects with the mission to positively
affect society through the arts and to bring together
Hispanic artistry and the American society. He is Vice-president
of the Council of Mexicans in SC and Member of the Board
of Directors of the SC Hispanic Leadership Council.
He lives in Columbia, SC with his wife Amanda and daughters
Sofka and Maya. |
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ALEJANDRO
GARCIA -Former Executive Director-
Alejandro
García is a Colombian-American visual artist
living in South Carolina since 2002. He holds a MA in
Latin American and Caribbean Studies from Florida International
University in Miami and a BA in Graphic Design from
the School of Arts at the National University in Bogotá,
Colombia. His work focuses on complex social issues,
mostly on aspects of immigration, biculturalism, religion
and social justice.
Alejandro served on the Board of Directors of SC Hispanic
Outreach, was cofounder of the Coalition for New South
Carolinians, which organized the rally at the State
House to support new immigrants. He received The State
newspaper´s "20 under 40 award" and
he is also a Certified Court Interpreter and general
manager of Comunicar Spanish Language services. He attended
the National Association of Latino Arts and Culture
Leadership Institute, and he is the founder and former
Executive Director of Palmetto & LUNA. |
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BETSY
NEWMAN
A long, long time ago, Betsy Newman was a little girl
living in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, where she learned to
love the flamboyán tree, sugar cane, the smell
of cow dung in the hot sun, and the Spanish language,
which she spoke better then than she does now. Her Dad
once told her she was a dreamer, and he was right. La
vida es sueño.
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DIANA
FARFÁN -Sculptor
Artist
I
am simply a full time ceramic artist-sculptor and a
non-stop dreamer in Greenville, South Carolina, U.S.
I was originally sculpted in Bogotá, Colombia,
but I moved to the U.S. in 2006 where I started a new
life. During all these sev7n years, I learned English
as a second language, finished a MFA program, got married,
opened a ceramic studio, produce sculpture, became an
American citizen, got involved with Palmetto Luna Arts,
and much more joyful stuff.Although I feel passion for
cultures, people (and their behavior), animals and life,
ceramic work is my obsession. With it, I have lots of
fun especially, when I make my characters that, luckily,
I exhibit in different venues. Laughing and being silly
to make others laugh is also my daily need and therapy!Here
you can learn more about me:
www.dianafarfan.com
www.ahandoflove.com |
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BRITT
HUNT
A
native of Columbia SC, Britt Hunt has dedicated his
life to the study of Latino culture. Britt holds a BA
in Spanish and International Trade from Clemson University
and an MA in Latin American and Caribbean Studies from
Florida International University in Miami. He is the
President and founder of Comunicar Spanish Language
Services where he also serves as a Certified Legal Interpreter
for the Court Systems in South Carolina and Georgia.
Britt has worked in the administration of several arts
events including the Bogotá Iberoamerican Theatre
Festival (1998 and 2000), InspirARTE Art Auction (2003,
2004), What's Love Valentine's Show (2008, 2009). He
has lived in Madrid, Spain, Quito, Ecuador and Bogotá,
Colombia and traveled widely in Latin America. Britt
is interested in the music and folklore of Latin America,
contemporary Latin American art and Southern historic
preservation. |
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Giovanni
Medellin
I
was born in Rioverde, S.L.P., Mexico. Moved to the U.S.
when I was 17. I have an A.A. and working on a Bachelor's
on Leadership and professional communication.
I am the director and co-owner of OJ Con Pulpa Latin
Dance Company based off Columbia, SC. I'm a Latin dancer
with a focus on salsa/mambo, dfferent styles of bachata,
and other styles of Latin dancing such as kizomba, zouk
and a bit of argentine tango. I've also done break dance,
hip hop & freestyle/house (competed in both Mexico
and U.S.; wining some and losing some others). Overall
I've been dancing, competing and showcasing/performing
for 13 yrs.
I'm constantly expanding my dance knowledge and skills
by traveling to congresses and learning from some of
the best dancers from all around the globe. I wanna
be able to expand and enrich not only the dance community,
but the culture (Latino culture specifically) and arts
community in general in Columbia. Since it's pretty
damn dead. I'm also the artistic director for the Columbia
Salsa Summit.
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Heidi
Darr-Hope
[Bio
coming soon]
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Mariangeles
Borghini
[Bio
coming soon] |
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Christa
Eberhard
[Bio
coming soon] |
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Alejandro
Baez
[Bio
coming soon] |
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Gaby
Kuenzli
[Bio
coming soon] |
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Wendy
Schneider
[Bio
coming soon] |
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