October 17, 2008 --- The Jazz Heritage Center's Lush Life gallery, San Francisco's only gallery dedicated to art inspired by jazz music, today announced its third exhibition, "Cuban Rhythms," a special solo exhibit featuring the work Cuban artist Mario Ayra.
The exhibit, the first solo exhibit presented by the Lush Life Gallery, has been co-curated by Peter Fitzsimmons, Executive Director, Jazz Heritage Center, and Gary Goldberg, founder of Imagine Press, which works with Cuban artists that still live on the island. The exhibit will be open from October 17th – November 30th at the Lush Life Gallery (1320 Fillmore Street).
Mario Ayra, 38, is a self-taught artist living in the mountains of the Sierra Maestra in Oriente, Cuba. He transforms his love of jazz and blues music into a make believe world were all his characters are part of a vintage Jazz lifestyle. Known for its combinations of textures, patterns and stylized composition, Ayra's work is collected worldwide. The exhibit features more than fifty examples of Ayra's work.
"The Jazz Heritage Center is thrilled to feature the work of Mario Ayra," said Fitzsimmons. "Ayra's celebration of all aspects of jazz music and jazz culture goes to the heart of the mission of the Lush Life Galllery. We are very pleased to present art of such quality and meaning."
About
Jazz Heritage Center (JHC)
The Jazz Heritage Center is the only permanent cultural and educational complex dedicated to the long history of Jazz in San Francisco and the Fillmore District. Located within the new Fillmore Heritage Center in the heart of the Historic Fillmore Jazz Preservation District, the non-profit Jazz Heritage Center is part jazz museum, part jazz cultural center, and part jazz art gallery. By showcasing art and historical exhibitions, concerts, films and youth programming, the JHC's mission is to preserve and promote jazz, an American national treasure, while celebrating its presence as an active, living art form in San Francisco and beyond. The JHC includes the Lush Life Gallery, the JHC Public Lobby, the Take Five Gift Shop, and, soon, the JHC Screening and Presentation Room. Visit www.jazzheritagecenter.org for more information.
Imagine Press
Imagine Press, founded by Gary Goldberg in 2000, is a fine art publishing that specializes in working with Cuban artists that still live on the island. The objective of Imagine Press is to create and maintain a joint effort with Cuban artists that enriches the cultural ties between Cuba and the United States. Visit www.premiereartsource.com for more information.
