All-Latinx women art exhibition debuts in Redmond

Longtime Redmond resident Elena Camarillo is making an effort to celebrate Latin women’s competency and success.

As the founder and director of Congreso de Chingonas — which translates to Congress of Bad Ass Women — she is collaborating with Centro Cultural Mexicano (Mexican Cultural Center) to host the organization’s first art exhibition at Los Pajaros Art Gallery (The Birds Gallery) in Redmond.

“It’s important to us,” Camarillo said. “Art is a process. It’s a great way to [express] feelings and thoughts. It can stir something in you. We’ll also be celebrat[ing] women’s talent through art.”

The exhibition, titled Metamorphosis: Latin Women Brush Strokes, will feature five Latinx (the gender-neutral term encompassing Latin males, females and non-binary people) American women: Adriana Morales Marin, Aida Rojas Ebeling, Irela Feria Hinojosa, Marcela Ferioli, and Judith Echegaray. The artists are emerging painters with different styles from Argentina, Mexico and Venezuela.

With this exhibition, Camarillo hopes to break Latinx women stereotypes. Camarillo said Congreso de Chingonas’ goal is to demonstrate who Latinx women really are.

“We [will] be talking about themes that don’t box us in,” Camarillo said about the exhibit. “Come and meet the Latin[x] woman in her totality.”

Camarillo and her team have organized three free bilingual events: Collective Art, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on May 5, during the Cinco de Mayo Event held at the Downtown Park; From Concept to Creation, from 7-10 p.m. on May 10; Transforming Dreams into Art, from 7:30-9 p.m. on May 17. The art exhibition will be located in the Los Pajaros Art Gallery at 7945 Gilman St. in Redmond.

The theme of metamorphosis is a lot like human development, according to Camarillo. She said it’s a subject that will enable conversation among attendees.

“We chose this theme because we thought it’s a subject that has a lot to do with transformation and growth,” Camarillo said. “The end result of metamorphosis is something that implies growth.”

Although the exhibition is led by Latinx women, Camarillo said everyone is invited.

Centro Cultural Mexicano director Carlos Jimenez said they are honored to have an all-Latinx-women exhibit in their gallery.

“This is the first time in this area that will be showing an all-women Latinx exhibit,” Jimenez said. “What we’re trying to show the community is that we’re here and we’re serious. People of all ages, Latinos, non-Latinos, all communities should walk by the gallery and take a closer look.”

In conjunction with the exhibition’s opening day on May 5, the Centro Cultural Mexicano will be hosting its first Cinco de Mayo Celebration from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Downtown Park, 16101 NE Redmond Rd.

To learn more about the exhibition and the Congreso de Chingonas visit, www.congresodechingonas.org.

To learn more about the Centro Cultural Mexicano and Los Pajaras Art Gallery visit, www.centrocultural mexicano.org.

The exhibition, Metamorphosis: Latin Women Brush Strokes, will feature five Latinx American Women from May 5 – May 17 at Los Pajaros Gallery in Redmond. Stephanie Quiroz/staff photo