Join IDEAL PDX artists Jessica Lagunas, William Hernandez, Romina del Castillo, José Solis and Daniel Santollo in a panel discussion that talks about the process and the reflections that inspired the artists to create their mural for Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera and Mexican Modernism. Established in 2010, IDEAL PDX is a collaborative group of Latino artists that accomplish new projects displaying individual Visual and Performing Artists in the Northwest. In creating their mural in the Museum’s Schnitzer Courtyard, the artists envision Frida Kahlo and Diego coming from the Mictlan – the Mexican-infra world, to visit the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Arriving to the Multnomah, Cathlamet, Clackamas, Chinook, Tualatin Kalapuya, Molalla, and other tribe territories, they bring with them their beloved México. Like in a dream, Frida and Diego open and enlighten their way to the PNW to explore other forms of life and see themselves within the people’s lives. This panel discussion highlights the artists’ special attention to collecting and studying details of Frida and Diego’s life together and their process of reflecting these details in their mural work.
IDEAL PDX‘s mission is to expand and include artists from Latinoamerica around the State of Oregon to provide professional development to strengthen the artists’ integration into the local economy. The origin of IDEAL PDX began in July 2010, when Milagro invited leaders representing a variety of disciplines to meet and share their advice, networks, and leadership, planting the seed for a collaborative creative group. Over the years, IDEAL PDX has received commissions and support from different organizations. One of the principal sponsors is The Center for the Arts P’5, who has supported over 50 local artists from Latinoamerica by exhibiting their work in this space. Each year artists have the opportunity to sell and present their work from different disciplines at IDEAL’s annual festival and market, EL TRUEQUE. IDEAL PDX is committed to elevating the community values by humanizing and invigorating shared spaces through the transformative power of public art.
Jessica Lagunas, Co-Founder and Creative Artistic Director of IDEAL PDX. Lagunas is a Mexican-born Certified e.i- Artistic Life Coach, a multidisciplinary artist, a teaching artist, and an Arts and Culture Program Manager. Lagunas has worked tirelessly to strengthen the growing network of artists of all disciplines, finding unique opportunities to socialize, receive professional and artistic training, and showcase their work in different parts of the city. As committed as she is to exploring and strengthening her skills in other disciplines, she is passionate about fortifying the Latino Artistic Community of Oregon.
William Hernandez,IDEAL PDX Curator and Lead Project Art Director, is a Portland-based painter whose artwork creates a bridge spanning his traditions and memories to his life today as an artist, family man, and Peruvian living in the Pacific Northwest. Trained as a painter at Lima’s Escuela Nacional de Bellas Artes (1995-2002), Hernandez worked as a fine artist and graphic designer for public and international institutions in Lima before settling in Portland in 2009. His surreal, graphic, and illustrative style creates layered narratives infused with lingering emotions from whimsy to melancholy. Hernandez is an active artist, teacher, and organizer in the Pacific Northwest.
Romina del Castillo was born in Lima, Peru, raised in Santiago de Chile, and has been an immigrant in the United States since the age of 16. She obtained her Bachelors of Fine Arts with an emphasis on Drawing and Painting at California State University Long Beach. She relocated to Portland, Oregon in 2018. Her artistic practice remains close to her roots with South American fauna and landscape as recurring themes. She works in various media, including drawing, painting, and straw marquetry. She’s a new member of IDEAL PDX, currently collaborating in their mural series around town.
Jose Solis is a Portland mural artist & designer/art director for film & television, with over 30 years of experience. Jose’s work has been recognized for his unique style with awards including: Silver Medal Award at the International Film & Television Festival of New York, Best Spiritual Documentary Judge’s Award winner, People’s Choice Award Winner, & more. Jose was born in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. An Oregonian since1969, he founded Creative Art Services in Portland, OR in 1983, offering services in set design & scene shop, as well as the production of murals, signs & custom prop fabrication.
Daniel Santollo is a Portland- based, indigenous/Chicano, self-taught visual artist. He was born in Michoacan, Mexico, and raised in Portland. He is a creative person by nature. Daniel loves to bring ideas to life, and is very passionate about what he does. The vibrant colors, detailed patterns, and rich history of his indigenous Mexican culture play a big role in his life and work. Daniel’s artwork ranges from digital illustrations, printmaking, logos, traditional paintings to murals.