Past Exhibitions
People Planet Launch Week & World Harmony Art Exhibit
May 15 - May 23, 2010
Belas Artes launched our new program theme for 2010 entitled People Planet: Caring for the Earth Starts with Caring About Each Other to show our support of UNESCO's advocacy for biological and cultural (bio-cultural) diversity. All of our programs and exhibits for the upcoming year will align with the goals of "People Planet," which promotes the expressions and dialogue of the many diverse ethnic groups that Belas Artes partners with in our region. These partnerships and collaborations help foster a more harmonious environment in St. Louis and serve as a catalyst to encourage respect for diversity around the world. Belas Artes seeks to challenge our community to consider that respect for one's neighbors should be an integral part of the "Going Green" initiative.
"People Planet Launch Week" festivities included welcoming the international athletes of the World Harmony Run to St. Louis. An art exhibit of World Harmony Run images, and images by its founder, Sri Chinmoy, were showcased in our gallery for the week. Belas Artes partnered with St. Louis Artworks to commission a new bike rack that reflects the ideals of "People Planet," recognizing our diverse neighbors while promoting eco-friendly transportation. The new bike rack was unveiled at Belas Artes during our opening reception and remains on display in front of our building. Belas Artes also partnered with local Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri for an international flag parade and an art exhibit of Girl Scout paintings. For our closing reception, Belas Artes partnered with KETC Channel 9 as they interviewed immigrants living in the St. Louis region for an upcoming documentary. The documentary will celebrate the diverse groups that make up our community and their influence on St Louis culture.
____________________________________________________________
The 1-Year Retrospective Artshow - St. Louis Drawing & Painting Meetup Artists
April 11, 2010 - May 2, 2010
For more information on the St. Louis Drawing & Painting Meetup Artists, visit their website at http://www.meetup.com/figuredrawing-110
Cafe com Leite (Coffee with Cream) Matias, Sidney. Acrylic on Canvas, 2009.
Gratitude: The Works of Sidney Matias
November 14, 2009 - April 10, 2010
Artist Biography
Sidney Matias, painter, sculptor and writer was born in 1969 in the city of Mauá, São Paulo, Brazil. He is one of three sons and one daughter. A self-educated artist, he started his artistic activities when he was only 12 yrs old. Sidney would draw on everything in the house (walls, tables, doors) until finally his parents bought him his first painting kit.
While attending Viscondinho, a small school in Sao Paulo, his art teacher named “Nice” gave him the encouragement and incentive he needed to pursue his art career. In an art competition which included every student and school in the State of Sao Paulo he won his first award – the Governor’s prize, a gold medal. He was only 14 yrs old. At the age of 17 he participated in the official National Art Gallery, which included many Brazilian painters. Surprising those in attendance he again won first prize. This win opened the door to many future exhibitions and awards.
Since that time Sidney has participated in 57 exhibitions and received 17 prizes, the latest being the from the LG Electronics Art & Design competition. This competition included artists from 7 art and design universities. Selected by the Sao Paulo METRO Company, his art is exhibited in Sao Paulo subway stations. The APAE AIDS Society commissioned him to design their Christmas cards for 6 continuous years.
His work reflects a wide variety of topics ranging from the joy of family to protesting violence and the destruction of Brazil’s natural resources. They include painting, drawing, illustrations, sculpture and mosaic. He uses an infinite number of details, bright colors and beauty that reflect the Brazilian culture. Media includes acrylic screen, oils, water colors, ink, pencil and acrylics. Being very versatile and imaginative, he has included iron, wood, tin cans, paper and concrete block in his work. Sidney Matias gives his personal touch to all of his work, standing out from other artists. Matias Paintings are easily recognizable.
Another side of Sidney is his sacred art. Since 1999 he has been a member of the Marianist Family in Campinas, Brazil (The Marianist Lay Community). Through this art he expresses and lives his faith and the spirit of solidarity while looking to the Mother Mary as protector, model and educator. Sidney’s religious art has been expressed on Christmas cards, chapels, murals, mosaics and illustrations. He says this sacred art is inspired by the way Mary and Jesus lived their lives. Before starting a new work he reads Biblical scriptures to learn more about Mary. A painting is then created like a long meditation, taking about 20 days to finish a work. “I feel like a missionary, an evangelist using my art, trying to inspire people to live like Mary”.
His work has been shown in both solo and group exhibitions in Brazil, Washington, D.C. and the Brazilian Consulate in New York. A permanent exhibit is at the Marian Library located on the campus of the University of Dayton in Dayton, Ohio. In November 2008 Sidney will present his work in Tokyo, Japan.