Grab your favorite art aficionado, friend, or compadre and hurry to the Art Depot located at 16822 Spring Street to see some of the colorful and expressive artwork being shown for the latest Artist Showcase: Latin Expressions.

According to Courtney Hodnick, cultural arts coordinator, "This is a form of art we have never shown before which is something we try to achieve with every showcase. We wanted to celebrate the cultures and diverse talent that are found within our community."

The featured artist of the quarter is the California-based Peruvian; Roger Triviņos whose culturally inspired images of people both young and old captures the imagination with vibrant colors and strokes of the brush.

While mostly an oil-based painter, Triviņos, who is a former student at the American Academy of Art in Chicago, is also an

experienced ceramics hand painter and graphic artist in the apparel industry.

A reverence for community and culture so often observed in Latin art is strongly felt throughout Triviņos' work. His depictions aptly capture these ethnic traits. From the older rugged villager, the more westernized younger woman, to a celebratory Day of the Dead painting, the selection of color combined with the images is delicate yet powerful.

The painting titled The Old Man is quickly becoming one of the more recognizable images in the collection. The marketing material for the Artist Showcase has used the picture in invitations and posters. According to Triviņos, the work, and others of the same theme, helps him to always remember his ancestry and those he left behind in Peru. "America is my home, and it is where my children have been born and raised, but I think it is important that I always honor my heritage. Painting images of the home of my grandparents and family helps me to create a bridge between one culture and the other. It keeps me grounded as a person and is what allows me to be true to myself."

Latin Expressions featuring Roger Triviņos will run from Monday, October 8 through Friday, December 21 at the Art Depot located at 16822 Spring Street. The hours of operation are Tuesday through Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Saturdays from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The ever popular Open Studio is offered every Friday from noon to 5:00 p.m. and on Saturdays from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m.

Family Art Day and Artist Showcase are scheduled for Saturday, October 13. The celebration will begin with the family events starting at 3:00 p.m. Entertainment includes a visit from the Opa Opa Latino Salsa

Band, and Suni Paz a Latin American story teller, arts and crafts, and free demonstrations from Mr. Triviņos. The Artist Showcase, also at the Art Depot follows at 5:00 p.m. The Showcase formally introduces the public to the artist and his work. Visitors are able to walk through the gallery and review the artwork. The artist will be available to answer questions and the reception includes a presentation honoring the artist.

For further information about the Artist Showcase or the artwork of Roger Triviņos, please call the Art Depot at (909) 428-4556.