Impressive collection delights and inspires
By Kim Chiomento, News Editor, The Times
Portrait by Unionville High’s Dara Jin
KENNETT SQUARE – Art created by the hands and minds of hundreds of talented area youth and emerging Mexican American Artists were showcased at this weekend’s Community Art Exhibit. The event was sponsored by the Kennett Merchant’s Association and Art on the Square; and was a part of a larger artisan festival held in Kennett Borough Saturday.
Students, in grades K-12 from Kennett, Unionville/Chadds Ford, Avon Grove, Oxford and Upland schools and representatives from Mexican Emerging Artists of Kennett Square participated in the exhibit. Fine art, pottery, three dimensional, photography and mixed medium creations were displayed. Attendees were able to experience young artistic development from its earliest stages to the finely developed talent of many high school advanced art students.
Vikmael Diego captures a mushroom industry worker’s powerful look
The Times spoke with a featured Mexican emerging artist, Vikmael Diego, a graphic designer and photographer whose art is inspired by social and immigration issues. Diego’s photography captures daily experiences of parents and close family members who work in the mushroom processing industry, some for as long as 28 years.
Diego’s father immigrated to the United States when he was very young, sending money to his mother who stayed behind in Mexico. When Diego was seven, his parents had saved enough for his mom and their children to immigrate to America. Eventually, members of their extended family were able to join them. Diego is unsettled at times by emotions of not feeling completely at home in the United States or in Mexico.
Kennett High’s Ryan Wilkie – self portrait pencil sketch
Diego proudly credits his mother with “saving nearly every dime his father sent to her” to achieve their dream of coming to the United States, sometimes at great sacrifice of even their most basic needs, including food. He wistfully shared, “I remember her discipline and sometimes we would go without food for fear of not saving enough to make our journey and also have a savings upon our arrival. It was hard, really hard.”
Diego has studied graphic design at Millersville University and is hopeful to return soon to complete his degree. Today, he has a deep appreciation for those who have sacrificed and worked very hard for the opportunities remains compelled to share their story.
The Times is pleased to share a sampling of the many wonderful artistic creations below:
