BLACK LIVES MATTER EXHIBIT
Memorial -
Acrylic Paint on Wood Panels
About the Artist: Ariel Gonzalez is a Colton based artist, a recent graduate of California State University
San Bernardino who works in community-based art forms while also pursuing personal
projects in art. The community art endeavor takes form as volunteer work for organized
events such as the Riverside Día De Los Muertos festival and for personal projects
Ariel focuses on a variety of art forms such as painting, printing, paper mâché, and
furniture design. Ariel is currently seeking a path toward developing an artistic
community in Downtown San Bernardino to revitalize and provide local artists with
multiple venues to a successful career in the arts using the art scene developed in
Downtown Riverside as model to translate to the DTSB community.
Portrait of Celia Cruz - 2020
Acrylic Paint on Wood Panels
About the Artist: Agustin Equihu Ortiz is a Los Angeles based painter/printmaker. He has 30 years
of experience creating art and showing his artwork in the US, Mexico, and Europe.
Agustin enjoys creating artwork that is colorful, vibrant, and relevant to the human
spirit.
Tamir Rice - 2022
Stained Glass & Ceramic Tile Mosaic
In 2014, 12-year-old Tamir Rice, was murdered by Timothy Loehmann, a 26-year-old white
police officer. Rice was carrying a replica toy gun and Loehmann shot Tamir Rice,
a sixth grader within three seconds after arriving on the scene.
About the Artist: Erin Maroufkhani is a mother, wife, teacher and mosaic artist. She was born and raised
in Riverside and graduated from UC Riverside with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre. Erin
taught English and Theatre at Wright Middle School STEAM Magnet for Los Angeles Unified
School District from 2014-2020. She was honored to receive the LAX Coastal Chamber
of Commerce Teacher of the Year Award in 2017. Together, with her parents, artists
Cathy and Greg Maxwell, she co-organized and created the National Wall of Respect
Mosaic Mural in Riverside, located at the Arc of Riverside County. Erin was honored
to co-organize and create the Riverside's Rise! Mosaic Mural, located at Market and
9th Street, with fourteen local artists. Rise! depicts 32 Black artists, authors and
activists who have changed the world through social justice. She is currently co-creating
the Unity Mosaic Mural at Ramona High School, with Edith Motley, Cathy and Greg Maxwell.
Her dream is to continue creating community-based art that teaches, inspires and brings
us all closer together.
Then & Now , "The Struggle Continues"- 2022
Smalti, Ceramic Tile, Fabric, & Chain Mosaic
Angela and Edison depict 1960 Civil Right Activist, Angela Davis, and Edison Kanatzar,
a "mask wearing" sixth grader of 2022. Both are fighting for social equality and justice.
The chains represent the strength and courage of their enslaved ancestors.
Artist: Edith Motley
Catharsis Self-Portrait Photograph (charcoal and honey), Black and White Acetate Prints, White Matte, White Paper, Red Color Gels, Collage
About the Artist: Jina Imani is a Redlands based artist who uses interdisciplinary skills to craft
her conscious artscapes. She is self-taught and has been producing art for two years.
She found objects, collage work, nature and self-portraits to create her pieces. She
has written a children's book about hair appreciation called "My Mommy Says My Hair
Is Like A Plant" and two zines entitled "I Am Not An Artist, This Is My Art" (Vol.
1 & 2). She has co-authored a Proclamation for the city of Redlands Declaring Black
History Month a celebration, two years running and also created and curated the First
Black History Art show in Redlands. Jina Imani uses mindfulness meditations to guide
her art practice as well as her life. She appreciates you taking the time to view
and engage with her art.
Mamie - 2020
Acrylic on Wood
About the Artist: Born and raised in Southern California, artist, author, and educator, Selena Jane
Wilson believes that art is a visionary language that can articulate and transcribe
concepts beyond words. Art creates community and communicates with the power to transform
viewers perceptions, sparking empathy and compassion and expanding awareness to connect
human kind on deeper levels. The artist is the medium making the spirit realm manifest
through their creations.
This Bridge Called My Back Old Faith - 2018
Acrylic and Scrap
The artist using blackness as an imaginative space where black people from past, present, and future roam and use this space to exist without consequence. The focus is on vehicles that could be used in the transportation to this space. Applying Sun Ra's speculation of what is on the other side of time and how music can be used as a vehicle to this destination is how Mariah approaches their creative process into thinking what other vehicles could be used as transportation.
About the Artist: Mariah Green's work is a series of speculations built on the topics of Afrofuturism. Mariah is 25-years-old and uses black and white oils as their main medium along with watercolors and fabric. They live in the Inland Empire of California as a self-taught artist.
There's Always a Curve To the Straight - 2021
Ripped Fabric, Linoleum, Collage
About the Artist: Jina Imani is a Redlands based artist who uses interdisciplinary skills to craft
her conscious artscapes. She is self-taught and has been producing art for two years.
She found objects, collage work, nature and self-portraits to create her pieces. She
has written a children's book about hair appreciation called "My Mommy Says My Hair
Is Like A Plant" and two zines entitled "I Am Not An Artist, This Is My Art" (Vol.
1 & 2). She has co-authored a Proclamation for the city of Redlands Declaring Black
History Month a celebration, two years running and also created and curated the First
Black History Art show in Redlands. Jina Imani uses mindfulness meditations to guide
her art practice as well as her life. She appreciates you taking the time to view
and engage with her art.
El Corazon de Nopal - 2020
Acrylic
About the Artist: Andres G. Torres is an artist from Corona/Riverside. He graduated from RCC with an
associate degree in Fine Arts. Andres is currently the co-owner of War Paint Tattoo
Studio and specializes in Realism Art. His passion in Chicano art has been reflected
in his mural EI Corazon de Nopal. He has had interest in art since he was a child.
He began painting and drawing at the early age of 9 years old. With the support of
his family, he was able to pursue his dream and create art as a lifestyle. He has
now been a successful tattoo artist for 11 years.
Sour Patch - 2020
Oil on Canvas
About the Artist: A'Kailah Byrd-Greene is a portrait and mural artist from San Bernardino. Her work
focuses on bringing a colorful and vibrant outlook to the way African American and
Black women are presented in art while often manipulating traditional skin tones to
highlight an array of emotions. A'Kailah received a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art
from the California State University of San Bernardino in 2019 and graduated with
her Master of Fine Arts degree from Claremont Graduate University in May 2021.
Michael J. Elderman
Digital BW Metal Prints
About the Artist: Michael J. Elderman has always been both a commercial photographer and a fine-art
photographer. He evolved into becoming "The Eyes of Riverside," and has done many
projects-including the restoration of buildings (the historic courthouse, the Mission
Inn, and the California Museum of Photography), and the building of iconic new structures
(the new Main Library, Imperial Hardware Lofts). After the COVID pandemic started,
he documented all of its various and varied aspects. He photographed empty streets,
the increase in homeless population, activities in hospitals and clinics, continuing
new construction, and the sudden appearance of about 75 murals covering the plywood
that protected the windows of downtown storefronts. During COVID, there was a series
of Black Lives Matter protests and rallies that took place around June, 2020. The
deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor precipitated the rallies, and also the creation
of several of the downtown murals. The photos here are a small number that documents
the powerful organization of the BLM movement and the impact it had on people who
could have been destructive and rioted, but who instead funneled their creativity
into protesting and consciousness-raising in our streets.
Ain't Gonna Be Treated This Way: The Fight for Social Justice in California
Oil on Canvas
This 20-minute film, produced for the Center for Social Justice and Civil Liberties, is screened on the hour and half hour.
About the Artist: A'Kailah Byrd-Greene is a portrait and mural artist from San Bernardino. Her work
focuses on bringing a colorful and vibrant outlook to the way African American and
Black women are presented in art while often manipulating traditional skin tones to
highlight an array of emotions. A'Kailah received a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art
from the California State University of San Bernardino in 2019 and graduated with
her Master of Fine Arts degree from Claremont Graduate University in May 2021.
Power of Love
Acrylic on Wood
About the Artist: Jesüs A. Castaheda is a Riverside area-based artist, born and raised in Los Angeles early in life and transplanted to the Riverside area to start high school. With 20+ years creating art, displaying and creating art throughout exhibits in various locations throughout California and Mexico. Jesus' artwork always comes from a personal connection to his daily life, upbringing and inspiration from family. Jesus comes from a long line of mariachi musicians and gets inspiration from this lineage in much of his work.
Gina Ferazzi
Digital BW Metal Prints
About the Artist: Gina Ferazzi grew up in the small New England town of Longmeadow, Mass. She has
been a staff photographer with the Los Angeles Times since 1994. Her photos are a
part of the staff Pulitzer Prizes for Breaking News in 2016 for the San Bernardino
terrorist attack and for the wildfires in 2004. She's an all-around photographer covering
assignments from Winter Olympics, presidential campaigns to local and national news
events. A two-sport scholarship athlete at the University of Maine, Orono, she still
holds the record for five goals in one field hockey game. She lives in the historic
Wood Streets of Riverside.
Poured Out - 2020
Various Forms of Acrylic & Lacquers
Artists: Matti Johnson, Luke Jackson, Fernando Blanco, Rachael A Dzikonski
Standing, Precipice Edging - 2021
Palm Frawns, Fabric Scraps, Linoleum Floor, Colored Lights, Collage
Exploring the feeling of being on edge and how I can reframe this into a serene
growth experience.
About the Artist: Jina Imani is a Redlands based artist who uses interdisciplinary skills to craft her conscious artscapes. She is self-taught and has been producing art for two years. She found objects, collage work, nature and self-portraits to create her pieces. She has written a children's book about hair appreciation called "My Mommy Says My Hair Is Like A Plant" and two zines entitled "I Am Not An Artist, This Is My Art" (Vol. 1 & 2). She has co-authored a Proclamation for the city of Redlands Declaring Black History Month a celebration, two years running and also created and curated the First Black History Art show in Redlands. Jina Imani uses mindfulness meditations to guide her art practice as well as her life. She appreciates you taking the time to view and engage with her art.
Strong Black Women
Spray Paint & Acrylic
Artist: Jorge Alberto Izarraras
Universal Jazzman - 2020
Oil Spray
About the Artist: Darren Villegas is an accomplished California muralist, and a native son of the Inland
Empire, with over twenty years of mural painting experience. His colorful and distinctly
vibrant murals can be seen throughout the Riverside, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Oakland,
and Inland Empire regions of California. Darren is also an art educator and mural
project coordinator, with long standing residencies with the Mission Urban Arts program
in San Francisco's Mission District, and the Visual Element mural arts program in
Oaklands Fruitvale District. His murals have been featured in numerous art publications
and have received several awards, including the Certificate of Appreciation in the
Arts, from the San Francisco Mayor's Office and the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.
He is currently residing in Riverside, California where he continues to initiate and
elevate the developing public art movement.
Carlos Puma
Digital BW Metal Prints
About the Artist: Carlos Puma was born and raised in East Los Angeles but has called Riverside his
home for the last 25 years. His photographic journey spans more than 40 years and
it all began when he saw his first black and white image appear in his high school
darkroom. That first experience led Puma to a life of creating visual stories with
his camera. Puma began his career as a United States Navy Photographer. He later obtained
a photo-journalism degree from Long Beach State University. Puma was a Staff Photographer
& Assistant Photo Editor at the Press-Enterprise and has freelanced for the Los Angeles
Times, Washington Post, and The Center for Investigative Reporting. Puma's method
is simple: Use light, composition and storytelling moments to reveal our culture.
His goal is to tell intimate stories visually. Every step along his way has helped
him become a better photographer and a better person.
Chapinlandia
Spray Paint & Acrylic
About the Artist: "Painting murals is a passion of mine. I love to be in the weather, hot, cold, rain,
windy, any weather, and absorbing the environment while I paint. I originally got
my influence through Graffiti Art, doing graffiti for so many years, throughout my
teenage years, and as an adult, networking, navigating through many different cities
painting with many different Graffiti Crews. I also have been doing murals and paintings
throughout the same time frame while I was doing Graffiti. While painting in L.A I
got to see many different styles of murals. My favorite that has stuck with me has
been many of the East Los Angeles Murals. Long story short, I love combining styles
of art, and my style, and showing through the process and mediums, the variety of
art mediums which are the stories of my life with art." - Ronald Del Cid
Divine Mother - 2020
Acrylic Wheat Paste
Artist: Denise Silva
Rosa Parks - 2022
Ceramic Tile Mosaic
"We must have courage determination to go on with the task of becoming free not only
for ourselves but for the nation and the world cooperate with each other. Have faith
in God and ourselves." - Rosa Parks
About the Artist: Adeola Davies-Aiyeloja is a Multidisciplinary artist who works in several media,
Adeola has a way of bringing colors together to create a visual sensation. When you
look at my paintings, you feel the joy and happiness the colors convey, Adeola said.
Her first public exhibition was at the National Orange Show where she won an honorable
mention for her work"Wings of Love". She has since won many awards for her paintings
and jewelry designs and has exhibited at local and national juried shows and also
served as a juror for local art competitions. Her work is in both public and private
collections, such as Toni Morrison, Riverside Art with enamels and metal- something
to create wearable art. Some of Adeola's paintings have been shown on the set of Fox's
television drama "Time of your Life," NBC's drama, "The Others," ABC's "Greys Anatomy", "Blackish", most recently HBO's "Insecure" and CBS's "The Neighborhood", Bob Abishola and many more. Most recently, Adeola was part of the collaborative
"RISE" Mosaic Mural artists for the City of Riverside.
Somos Semillas (We Are Seeds) - 2020
Acrylic Wheat Paste
About the Artist: Amparo Cortez Chi is a Chicana artist born and raised in East Los Angeles. She's
currently based in the Inland Empire. Emotions are her inspiration, making art is
a form of creativity and expression to her, they have no boundaries. Amparo is a librarian
by choice and a painter by heart. In her own words, "My eyes see a colorful world and my brush expresses my heart."
Courageous
Smalti, Ceramic Tile, Stained Glass, and Metal Mosaic
About the Artist: Cathy Maxwell is a mother, wife, grandmother, independent arts educator, and mosaic
artist. Cathy has exhibited her mosaic art at the Riverside Art Museum, the Riverside
County Administration Center, Riverside Community Arts Association and the Division
9 Gallery. She and her husband, Greg, were commissioned by the City of Riverside,
in 2007, to create mosaic art on a five-foot-tall fiberglass orange, as a 50th anniversary
gift to Sendai, Japan, Riverside's oldest Sister City. Cathy has also exhibited art
in Ensenada, Mexico. In 2013, Cathy, Greg, and their daughter, Erin Maroufkhani, designed,
created and installed the National Wall of Respect, a 43-foot by 10-foot public mural
for the Arc of Riverside. Cathy has worked in private homes, creating entryways, kitchen
backsplashes and outdoor mosaic trim on patios and steps. She was commissioned to
create two pieces of art for the Children's Hospital of Central California, Madera.
Cathy has taught mosaic art in an after-school program, to elementary children and
middle school students. Cathy and Greg created Angela's Wings, a public mural, in
2019, in memory of 57 people killed in Las Vegas at a concert in 2017. In 2021, Cathy
was proud to take part in a collaboration of fourteen artists, creating and installing
a 24- foot by 8-foot mural titled, the Rise! Mosaic Mural in Riverside, California.
BLM = We Are Family - 2020
Acrylic Paint on Wood Panels
About the Artist: Cosmé Cordova is the founder and Director of Riverside based Division 9 Gallery.
Those who are familiar with his efforts know him as an influential force in the City's
burgeoning arts scene. Through the years, Cordova has enhanced the role of arts and
cultural events in the City of Riverside and has established himself as a professional
artist, showcasing his artwork in galleries throughout Southern California. Aside
from being recognized by the City for his artistic excellence and community service,
Cordova is known for his development of partnerships with other arts and community
organizations. Included in the list of his inspired signature events are: Riverside
Arts Walk on First Thursdays and the annual Riverside Day of the Dead Celebration.
In addition, Cordova brings to the forefront both established and emerging local artists,
as well as art students from local educational institutions.
SAY HER NAME - 2022
Smalti & Ceramic Tile Mosaic
On March 13, 2020, 26-year-old Breonna Taylor was murdered at the hands of Louisville
police. There hasn't or ever will be complete justice for this senseless murder.
Artist: Cynthia Huerta is a mixed-media Community Artist, Curator and Arts Advocate that has
been servicing the Inland Empire for over 18 years. She explores and works in diverse
mediums including painting, watercolor, sculpture, drawing, printmaking, and wood-burning.
In 2005, she began her love affair with art at Division 9 Gallery. In October 2016
she was the first Latina artist-in-residence for the Community Altar project at Riverside
Art Museum that was funded by the James Irvine Foundation. She cofounder of the Elemental
Sisterhood Collective and Cofounder and Gallery Art Curator of the dismantled Inland
Mujeres Collective. She is formally trained with a BA in Visual Studies with an emphasis
on Art Education/Art Therapy from California State University San Bernardino. In July
of 2019 she received the Arts and Innovation Honoree Award from the City of Riverside
for her years as a Community Arts Advocacy. She has taught Art workshops for Teaching
Residents at Teachers College through Columbia University, Google, Success in Motion,
California Latinas for Reproductive Rights, Food corps, RCC Puente, and many programs
and non-profits throughout the United States. Cynthia is a working and teaching artist
from Riverside that continues to uplift and represent for her community.
Colin Kaepernick Taking a Knee - 2022
Smalti & Ceramic Tile Mosaic
Colin Kaepernick Taking a Knee. "l am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses Black
people and people of color," Kaepernick told NFL Media. 'To me, this is bigger than and it would be selfish on my part to look the other
way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away
with murder."
About the Artist: Greg Maxwell has been creating mosaic art for over thirty years. He is a self- employed
General Contractor, specializing in remodeling kitchens and bathrooms. Greg enjoys
using his creativity in his work, and that creativity led him to experimenting with
mosaic art. Greg has always been drawn to landscapes, architectural detail in buildings,
and sea life. More recently, he has enjoyed creating intricately detailed portraits.
Greg has exhibited his art in several venues in Riverside, including the Riverside
Art Museum, Riverside County Administration Center, Riverside Community Art Association
and Division 9 Gallery. He co-created, with his wife, Cathy, "Riverside: Sister City
across the Sea"for Sendai, Japan in 2007, "The National Wall of Respect" in 2013,
"Angela's Wings" in 2019, and the "Rise! Mural" in 2021. Currently, Greg is collaborating
with Erin Maroufkhani, Edith Motley, and Cathy Maxwell on the Unity Mosaic Mural for
Ramona High School in Riverside.
George Floyd, October 14, 1973 - May 25, 2020
Smalti & Ceramic Tile Mosaic
The murder of George Floyd, who repeatedly told a Minneapolis police officer that he couldn't breathe while the officer knelt on his neck, triggered mass protests across the world about the treatment of Black people by police.
Artist: Greg Maxwell (Bio above)