Dia de los Muertos - Mural and Community Project

Conexión Latina Newport & The Newport Art Museum - Newport, RI 

​It was an honor to be received with such grace by the Conexión Latina community, and I truly appreciate the trust that they put in me to represent their stories and families in the mural. It has been a life changing experience. I will continue working with projects that amplify the stories of Latino and immigrant communities to honor their traditions, their families and the importance of celebrating their spaces. Thank you Rebekah and Yoli for all the work you do in the community and for making this connection possible. 

Thank you to the Newport Art Museum for supporting my vision for the mural and for printing a photo of the piece to be placed in the museum. I  hope that the photo of the mural in the Museum will help to bring Museum goers to Conexcion Latina where they can connect with this fabulous project. Thank you to Cristin, Seamus and Norah for first making this connection and for all of your support and commitment every step of the way. Having the Museum present at every event and space was so important to the success of the project and I was so grateful to have had you all present. 

The final celebration at the Newport Art Museum was a magical evening. It was so meaningful to see the mix of cultures, backgrounds and experiences represented at the Museum. Thank you to Jesus de la Torre for your increible storytelling and charisma to bring these important traditions to this space. These stories now hold an important place in my heart. 

A la comunidad Latina de Newport, gracias por compartir sus sueños, sus medios, sus pérdidas y las memorias a través de su camino. Ustedes son mis héroes por su coraje y perseverancia para seguir persiguiendo sus sueños por una vida mejor. Me han inspirado a seguir celebrando mis raíces y mis ancestros y siempre traerlos conmigo donde sea que voy. 

Abrazos, 
Orlando Almanza

Exhibition - Born by the River
Soapbox Arts - Burlington, VT

For more information on the show and available work please visit Soapbox Arts website or reach via info@soapboxarts.com
All photos courtesy of Soapbox Arts. 

Artist Statement

English 
Between the river Yáquimo and the river Sevilla there was a town which was settled between the river and the wilderness. Born by the river is the manifestation of the memories of a child who grew up in this town, where he roamed the surrounding wilderness, wild and free. 
His grandmother was born near the Yáquimo river and his grandfather was born by the Sevilla River. When they were married, they came together to live between the two rivers, where they would grow their family. 
Here the water was everywhere all at once. The river was the center of all things. The cycle of the river was the cycle of life itself, a point of connection, cleansing, growth, blooming and dying. 
The river taught the child many things.
How to swim against the current
How to walk over fire
How to run between the feet of the horses
How to play with the edge of a machete 
The river was a witness to the child, the one who advised on his destiny, who taught him how to fight his fears and overcome any danger. How to tame wild animals to show his worth in the wild. 
In desperate moments, the child would attempt to escape his destiny, he would decide he would live below the river, where memories did not exist, where everything was calm and all was silent. 

Español 
Entre el río Yáquimo y el río Sevilla se asentó un pueblo que vivía entre el río y el monte. 
Born by the River son los recuerdos de un niño que creció silvestre y libre. 
Su abuela nació cerca del río Yáquimo y su abuelo nació a lado del río Sevilla. Cuando se casaron se mudaron juntos entre los ríos, donde pudieran crecer su familia en el monte silvestre. 
Allí el agua estaba en todos partes a la misma vez. El río fue el centro de todo. El ciclo del río era el ciclo de la vida misma. Un punto de conexión, limpieza, crecimiento, florecimiento y  muerte.
El río le enseñó muchas cosas. 
Como nadar contra la corriente
Como caminar por encima de la candela
Como correr entre las patas de los caballos
Como jugar con el filo de un machete.
El río fue testigo del niño, consejero de su destino, le enseñó a ganarle a sus miedos, a superar el peligro, a domar animales salvajes para medir su valor
En un intento desesperado de escapar de su destino, el niño decidió vivir debajo del Río, allí donde los recuerdos no existen, donde todo era calma, donde todo era silencio.

---

Exhibition - Un Laberinto en el Estomago de un Cocodrilo 

At ONA Galeria

Artist Statement 

Español 
Era un espacio grande, húmedo y oscuro. Al caminar podía sentir las paredes, que al parecer estaban hechas de ramas, arbustos y lo que pareció plantas de río. Por el eco de las voces supo que no estaba solo. No podía explicar el por qué miro hacia atrás, quizás porque se sintió perdido. A lo lejos vio la luz de lo que fuese la salida y al alejarse de ella, el sonido era cada vez más definido, su curiosidad era inmensa. De un solo estruendo se cerró la boca, quedó atrapado. 

English
It was a large, damp and dark space. As he walked he could feel the walls, which were apparently made of branches, bushes and what looked like river plants. From the echo of the voices he knew he was not alone. He couldn't explain why he looked back, maybe because he felt lost. In the distance he saw the light of what was once a way out and as he moved away from it, the sound was more and more defined, his curiosity was immense. With a single noise the mouth closed, he was trapped.