FIU talent on exhibit at Reagan House

Faculty and staff paintings currently on exhibit in the parlor of the Reagan House

Visitors to President Mark B. Rosenberg’s home, the Reagan House, are being treated to the FIU family’s breadth of talent. In the parlor where dignitaries and special guests to the university mingle, hang proudly paintings and photographs of faculty and staff as well as an alumna.

The artists and their works were chosen by the president and Olga Vazquez, manager of operations and events at the Reagan House, after their art was displayed at the 2014 FIU Faculty/Staff Picnic.

“The annual exhibition gives us the opportunity at the Reagan House to showcase the diverse talent at FIU,” says Vazquez, who curated the exhibition. “These artistic creations enhance a guest’s visit to the house as they portray remarkable variety of themes and compositions.”

One of the pieces, Unkown Smile, by Avoiry Mendez, an office assistant in the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Education, is an abstract face that represents different points of view. Mendez, who is not a formally trained painter, says she really enjoyed sharing her work. “It’s really cool to have a job that lets you express another part of you.”

For Mendez, the exhibition proved more fruitful than just sharing her work. At an artist reception, she bonded and fell in love with Miguel Sahagun, whose work was featured in the 2013 Reagan House exhibition.

Exhibitor Julio Zapata, who currently works as a mechanic at FIU as he pursues his degree in construction management from the College of Engineering and Computing, was an architect in Colombia. Now he paints oils as a hobby, and says it helps him express his creativity in a different way. He has also exhibited several of his work at the Frost Art Museum.

“I wish there were more working hours in the day so I can work on my creative ideas,” he says. Currently, Zapata is in the research stage of a Gabriela Marquez inspired project. Later this year, he hopes to visit the author’s home town to learn more about the Colombian novelist.

The Reagan House exhibition is in its second year, and quickly becoming a favorite for FIU’s renaissance men and women. For members of the university community interested in showcasing their art, organizers of the FIU Faculty/Staff picnic are taking submissions now. Those who exhibit at the picnic are automatically considered for the Reagan House exhibition.

To learn more about art displayed this year, click on the photos below.

2014 Reagan House Art Exhibition artists

Kelly Bounchareune, assistant director of medical education at Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine
Esther Colombo Cruz, alumna of CARTA
Adam Drisin Sr., associate dean of CARTA
Carlos Fernández, carpenter in FIU facilities
Aivory Mendez, office assistant in the Office of the Dean, Undergraduate Education
Oscar Negret, senior designer in External Relations
Milagros Reinaldo, supervisor in FIU’s custodial department
Thelma Robles, senior administrative assistant in the FIU MBRS RISE program
Sarah Shoulak, communication coordinator at Communications Art Department
Elena “Eli” Woodbury, office manager of FIU Undergraduate Education
Julio Zapata, maintenance support worker, Campus Services

Exhibitors in 2013 included: Genevieve Diamond, library technical assistant; Odalys Diaz, assistant director of University Computer Systems; Jennifer Dominguez,  coordinator of New Media at the College of Business; Alexandra Laforest of Admissions/Registrar Officer Enrollment Processing Center; Bennie Osborne, retiree; Miguel Sahagun, Graduate Success Assistant Director of Academic Advising Technology; Franco Tobias, FIU Southeast Environmental Research.