Color pencil on paper, 4x6 in.
Statement: My artwork depicts a lost dog crying in front of a littered river bank. The dog weeps because it used to be a wolf. It weeps because it has lost its identity and when it looks at the land it too has been altered beyond recognition.
About the Artist: Kevin Montenegro's latest artistic endeavor is to highlight the importance of self-reflection and self-actualization. The goal is to help people realize their goals and real happiness defined by the individual. After an individual learns to love themselves they are effective proponents of change with themselves and everyone around them.
Hometown: South Gate, CA
Connect: instagram: @Thetrashcat
Mixed media on masonite board, 48x36x1 in.
Statement: I use cartoon like drawing and expressionistic painting, and let intuition and fantasy take over the process when I am painting. I use unrealistic colors to show a world oscillating between dreams and reality. My art is influenced by Expressionism, Surrealism, the primitive and childlike drawing of CoBra, Abstract Expressionism, Bay Area Figurative painting, Beat Art and Symbolism.
About the Artist: My name is Katie McGuire. I live in the Los Angeles area. I have been showing my art in juried, group and solo shows since 2001. I have been working as a substitute teacher for LAUSD in regular education and special education elementary school in Southeast Los Angeles (South Gate, Bell, South Central) since 2001. I have been teaching Painting, Drawing, Art History and Art Appreciation part time at the Community College level since 2001. I have a B.A. in Art from U.C. Berkeley and a M.F.A. in Painting from Claremont Graduate University in 2001. I love painting, and some of my paintings (like this one) are documenting homeless people, street musicians, and street performers that I see in the city of Los Angeles.
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Connect: https://www.KatieMcGuireArtwork.weebly.com , instagram: @KatieSMcGuire
Digital photography, unspecified dimensions
Statement: As a madre of a bi- racial daughter, it is my responsibility to remind her who she is and the GUERRERA she will become. Growing up in BELL GARDENS all my life and now raising my bi - racial daughter in my hometown where there is so much inspiration to learn from is what connects me to the river and the multi-talented people that live around Bell Gardens. Just recently i took my daughter to HERITAGE PARK in Santa Fe Springs so i can show her the NATIVE AMERICAN grounds that we are blessed to have and out of that trip I was inspired to do another head piece.
About the Artist: “As a Latinx growing up in a diverse city with a rich culture my heritage goes in deep into the river. “My passion has being black and white photography. My headpieces which are all color have been inspired by going into quarantine. I don’t have any formal art education but I have been invited and done shows I was in SELA 2019 FESTIVAL look into my Instagram account for videos. All my photography comes from my passion my soul within.”
Hometown: Bell Gardens, CA
Connect: instagram: @pixturexhronixles
Digital photography, unspecified dimensions
Statement: As a madre of a bi- racial daughter, it is my responsibility to remind her who she is and the GUERRERA she will become. Growing up in BELL GARDENS all my life and now raising my bi - racial daughter in my hometown where there is so much inspiration to learn from is what connects me to the river and the multi-talented people that live around Bell Gardens. Just recently i took my daughter to HERITAGE PARK in Santa Fe Springs so i can show her the NATIVE AMERICAN grounds that we are blessed to have and out of that trip I was inspired to do another head piece.
About the Artist: “As a Latinx growing up in a diverse city with a rich culture my heritage goes in deep into the river. “My passion has being black and white photography. My headpieces which are all color have been inspired by going into quarantine. I don’t have any formal art education but I have been invited and done shows I was in SELA 2019 FESTIVAL look into my Instagram account for videos. All my photography comes from my passion my soul within.”
Hometown: Bell Gardens, CA
Connect: instagram: @pixturexhronixles
Digital photography, unspecified dimensions
Statement: As a madre of a bi- racial daughter, it is my responsibility to remind her who she is and the GUERRERA she will become. Growing up in BELL GARDENS all my life and now raising my bi - racial daughter in my hometown where there is so much inspiration to learn from is what connects me to the river and the multi-talented people that live around Bell Gardens. Just recently i took my daughter to HERITAGE PARK in Santa Fe Springs so i can show her the NATIVE AMERICAN grounds that we are blessed to have and out of that trip I was inspired to do another head piece.
About the Artist: “As a Latinx growing up in a diverse city with a rich culture my heritage goes in deep into the river. “My passion has being black and white photography. My headpieces which are all color have been inspired by going into quarantine. I don’t have any formal art education but I have been invited and done shows I was in SELA 2019 FESTIVAL look into my Instagram account for videos. All my photography comes from my passion my soul within.”
Hometown: Bell Gardens, CA
Connect: instagram: @pixturexhronixles
Statement: The SELA Self Portrait is a collection of artwork created in a three-day virtual workshop led by Chelo Montoya. The featured artists are youth from the community and beyond who are intuitively creative, brilliantly dynamic and represent the future. The project provided each of us an opportunity to reflect on the self and teach each other in a virtual studio environment. Each work unlocks a story of a creative individual with a future full of potential. It is up to us to cultivate those opportunities such as the Open Walls gallery and this festival.
This project can be done on any size or kind of paper or surface and in any medium such as pencil, crayons, markers and even Play-doh! Be inspired! Create your own self portrait and share it with us on instagram @SELAArtsFestival #SELASelfPortrait.SPECS: Digital Photography
About the Artist: Chelo Montoya is an artist and educator specializing in community engagement. She has been a part of the core organizing team of the SELA Arts Festival since its inception. She oversees public programs at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, serves on the Board of Directors of the Vincent Price art Museum Foundation and was appointed to the California Arts Council by the Speaker of the Assembly, Anthony Rendon, in March of 2020.
Sophie Cruz is an inspiring 10-year-old entering 5th grade. She enjoys art, sports, and public speaking. Her largest address was to over 470,000 people in Washington D.C. at the 2017 Women's March, a worldwide protest on January 21, 2017, the day after the inauguration of President Donald Trump.
Sahara Cruz is 6 years old and in first grade. She is a complete joy and says “when I paint I feel happy.“
Mountain Montoya is a creative individual in all directions. He enjoys drawing, gaming and making videos on TikTok - you can follow him @XXXX. He is 10 years old and really looking forward to this pandemic being over.
Mia Suarez is 15 years old. She likes listening to and playing music. She enjoys drawing, singing, and playing guitar. She painted herself with music symbols around her because music has always been a really big part of her life.
Maya E. Landaverde is 13 in 8th grade. She loves music, math, Sonic the HedgeHog, and loves her brother David and sister Morenci. She is currently learning how to play electric guitar in LAUSD’s summer music program.
Matthew Suarez is a 9 year-old student of KIPP Academy, who was born and raised in South Gate CA. He enjoys playing with his friends, and going to the park to play. He drew himself playing in the park, enjoying himself after the quarantine is over.
Matthew Carranza is an artist in South Gate, California that is currently in the 7th grade. Art to him is a medium to express feelings, creations, and explore the imagination. He is currently working on drawings that show love for animals and the planet.
Luna Montoya is a Libra going on 2 years old. She enjoys making art, face painting and banging the drums.
Javier C. Macias Cortez is 7 years old and just finished 1st grade. His interests include drawing, clay sculptures, playing Stick War and Jurassic World the game. He also enjoys food, comedy, and that's all.
David Landaverde, is a 9 year old in 4th grade from South Gate, Los Angeles, California. Interests include: family, painting, wild animals, dinosaurs, godzilla, fast cars, dragons, swords, outdoor activities, traveling, acting, and music.