Celebrating Hispanic and Latino Culture and Heritage

May 5-27, 2023

“Solano,” photograph by Yahir Palmas-Solano

The Shasta County Arts Council honors artists of hispanic and latino heritage in May's gallery exhibition, entitled "Celebrating Hispanic and Latino Culture and Heritage." This show includes photography, paintings, colored pencil drawings, and more, showcasing the artistry of some of the North State's best artists, including The Art Hunger's Karlo Henry, Gladys Waters, Richard Martinez, Cristiane Carter, Camila Narino, Yahir Palmas-Solano, and others. This show runs from May 5-27th.

The Old City Hall Art Gallery is open Tuesdays-Fridays from 10:00-4:00 and Saturdays from 10:00-3:00. We are located in the historic Old City Hall at 1313 Market Street in Downtown Redding.

Spotlighting the community.

Visual artist Rich Martinez and event coordinator Lidia Manzo share how their heritages and stories affect their work in interviews with SCAC’s Daniel Hill.

Meet the artists.

  • I am Yahir Palmas-Solano, and I am a Chicano photographer based out of Red Bluff, California. What I try to capture with my photography is people’s way of life that might go unnoticed. On top of that, I am obsessed with urban landscapes and how people interact with them. I am a firm believer that there is beauty to be seen in every piece of the world. If you’d like to see more of my work, you can find me on Instagram by @yahirtakesphotos.

  • Karlo Henry was born in Barcelona, Spain, and currently resides in Redding, California. His family moved to Mexico when he was 13 years old, and he graduated with a degree in Electronic Engineering from the Instituto Tecnologico de Monterrey, in 2000. Then, he moved to Dallas, Texas, to pursue a degree in Art from the University of Texas in Arlington.

    During his time in the Dallas-Fort Worth area in the early 2000s, he joined a group of diverse and underrepresented creatives to jumpstart the art scene for Pop/Urban contemporary public. This group found spaces to host art and cultural events in a marginalized area of the city.

    The movement eventually grew and brought art shows to most of the metropolitan area, supporting and showcasing an expanding roster of emerging artists.

    In 2015, Karlo and his husband relocated to California, and in 2016 they moved to Redding via Bakersfield. In Redding, he found himself without a creative support system and had to travel to the Bay area, where he participated in art shows and became part of an artist collective. After a few months of traveling back and forth, he decided to start his own project in town.

    In 2018, he organized “Art OUTside'', an outdoor art exhibition celebrating LGBTQ+ artists. The following year, he worked with Turtle Bay Exploration Park to create and organize “Final Fridays: Art by the Bridge'', a series of maker’s markets. In 2020, he launched The Art Hunger to create and support cultural events and promote local artists. Since then, he has organized pop-up art shows around town, highlighted local artists, and worked with organizations and businesses on several art events. All of this led to a collaboration with Viva Downtown, and since 2021, The Art Hunger has taken residency at I.O.O.F Hall in Downtown.

    When he’s not busy with The Art Hunger, Karlo spends his time painting, tending to his dog and two cats, and enjoying the company of friends.

  • Artist statement coming soon.

  • I was born and raised in Roseville, California as a second generation Mexican American. I went to grammar school and high school in Roseville. After HS I enlisted the US Army, served overseas after 3 years I got out of the military and went to college. I was a double major in college earning a BA at Chico State University: fine arts-painting and drawing/communications – graphic design.

    My subject matter of interest is people. I especially enjoy surrealism. I enjoy juxtaposition using color in my work to draw the viewers into the piece. I feel my art is fresh and alive with color. I try to incorporate elements that are strong and visually seen immediately. To conclude, I don’t want to be stereotyped into any particular subject I want to express my dreams and thoughts that are unconventional. I feel that my ethnicity plays a role in how I relate to color and my culture of being a Chicano keeps me rooted in Latino heritage.

  • Artist statement coming soon.

  • Artist statement coming soon.

  • The difference between painting ”from the heart”, and painting commercially “from the elbow” is that when one reaches the pinnacle of perfection, only those who paint from internal life will have the sufficient staying power to become immortal. I was born in Colombia, Italian ancestry, self-taught. In my early years I had intrepid boyhood energy, combined with skills propelled me towards writing, design, craft and painting. All of which I absorbed and explored into success. My art graces the private homes of elite fine art collectors and has been exhibited internationally.

    The unique form of utter mastery with which I boldly express human emotion in my paintings; draw from my own soul’s intellectual experiences. “I am not in the work of art to compete with anyone, just to be a philosopher with my brush.”

    In my 50 years of professional art I have accomplished expressing all of my emotions. This is the reason that all of my art expressions are full of different techniques and forms.

  • Artist statement coming soon.

  • Colombian American artist Gladys Waters discovered late in her life that the blood that runs through her veins is that of an artist. Her late father Luis Enrique Celedon was a talented artist and with his inspiration she now follows in his footsteps.

    Waters was named Emerging Artist by Shasta County Arts Council in May 2018. She was one of the finalist of the 33rd Annual Painting Exhibition, North Valley Art Gallery in Redding, CA in September 2018.

    She had a solo show at the Colombian Consulate in San Francisco, CA from February to June 2019. She also had an individual exhibition at Main Street Gallery in Weaverville, CA in August 2019.

    Among the different techniques uses by Waters, her favorite is oil painting on canvas and panels. Her biggest inspiration comes from nature, people, love, smiles and simple daily life. Although she is always willing to let herself be carried away by her imagination.

    Currently Waters exhibits her art in galleries and exhibitions. She attends painting classes and workshops by renowned artist Stefan Baumann.

    To see more of her art work full of color and love. Visit her website www.gladyswaters.com

  • Artist statement coming soon.