This Latino art show in Redding spotlights established and emerging creators

Whether speaking Spanish or English, Antonio Fortuna's primary topic seems to be art.

He communicates using his heart, while his fingers create the message in a variety of media, he said.

Fortuna paints, sculpts and designs furniture and clothing. His subject matter ― dancers, people standing in landscapes, a cyclist in the rain ― are as varied as his painting styles, which run the gamut from surreal to semi abstract.

Three of Fortuna’s pieces are included in an exhibit called "Celebrating Hispanic and Latino Culture and Heritage," on display through May 27 at the Shasta County Arts Council’s gallery at Old City Hall in downtown Redding.

The purpose of the show — launched on Cinco de Mayo, May 5 — is to celebrate Latin American artists living in the North State, the arts council’s Arts and Grants Coordinator Agata Maruszewski said.

The exhibition includes work by 23 established and emerging artists. Media represented include acrylic, watercolor and oil paintings, charcoal drawings, ceramics, graphic design, mixed media, photography, leather work and textiles, said Maruszewski.

“We didn't suggest a theme to the artists, beyond that the focus was on Latino and Hispanic culture,” she said.

Maruszewski said the arts council “champions accessibility and diversity in the arts community,” with the exhibition at Old City Hall just one means of spotlighting Latino artists from diverse backgrounds. “It’s a collaborative effort to bring forth the works created by Hispanic and Latino artists in the community,” she said.

What brought Antonio Fortuna to Shasta County?

Fortuna is new to Shasta County’s art community. But he's established in the art world.

Before he and his wife Edith moved to the North State in April 2022, his work sold widely throughout the southeastern United States, he said.

Tennis star Serena Williams owns one of his paintings. Fortuna designed furniture purchased by celebrated musicians Shakira and Julio Iglesias. Former President Barack Obama has one of the ties her husband created, Edith Fortuna said.

"Though my canvases are varied, their aim is to create pleasure through creativity and color," Fortuna explains on his company's website about what drives him artistically. "My joy is that 'wow-moment' for the viewer, when something within me captures something unsaid within them."

Murals on the Stress Ribbon Bridge

Antonio Fortuna, 77, moved from the South American country of Colombia to Miami 40 years ago “because I would like to change my air,” he said ethereally. Then, the couple relocated to Redding last year for a more down-to-Earth reason: to be close to their children and grandchildren.

“I’m trying to expand here,” Fortuna said of creating art in his new home.

While North State residents are somewhat familiar with Mexican culture, Fortuna said he has found that many have not been exposed to the traditions of other Latin American countries, including his own. Through his artwork, he wants to encourage people to gain an understanding of the diversity of Latino people and their varied experiences.

Since coming to the North State, Fortuna said he has met people from Argentina, Brazil and other parts of the world, and hopes they'll share their own Latino identities.

Fortuna strives to bring that world view to his subject matter, which isn't limited to Colombian culture.

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“I’m an international painter, not just” one who focuses on the unique aspects of Latin culture, he said. Not limiting himself, and “painting from the heart, not the hand,” allows him to create a more eclectic body of work, he said.

Redding is a great place to create art and to live, Fortuna said: “For sure, it’s more relaxing here. The climate and the people are great. They’re very welcoming. We’re very happy here.”

Gallery hours at Old City Hall, 1313 Market St., are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays. For more information call 530-241-7320 or go to shastaartscouncil.org.

Jessica Skropanic is a features reporter for the Record Searchlight/USA Today Network. She covers science, arts, social issues and news stories. Follow her on Twitter@RS_JSkropanic and onFacebook. Join Jessica in the Get Out! Nor Cal recreation Facebook group. To support and sustain this work,please subscribe today. Thank you.