CASITA MARIA: 80 YEARS OF INSPIRING THE FUTURE
Casita Maria Center for Arts & Education, the first charitable organization to serve the Latino Community in New York, is proud to present CASITA MARIA: 80 YEARS OF INSPIRING THE FUTURE, an exhibition that celebrates Casita’s 80th anniversary through the life stories and achievements of ten of its most distinguished alumni.

From its origins in El Barrio, East Harlem in 1934 up until today in the South Bronx, Casita Maria has been a second “home” and safe haven to local youth and their families, offering social services, arts and education. Throughout the years, many “Casita Kids,” have gone on to become outstanding successes in their lives.
CASITA MARIA: 80 YEARS OF INSPIRING THE FUTURE presents the personal narratives and select objects from the following Casita Maria alumni: ALEXANDER ACEVEDO, internationally acclaimed Gallerist; JOE CONZO, SR., Latin Music Historian; LORRAINE CORTÉS-VÁZQUEZ, one-time 65th Secretary of State of New York. DAVID GONZALEZ, award winning Journalist for The New York Times and Photographer; GRANDMASTER MELLE MEL, Hip Hop Pioneer; “The King of Latin Music,” TITO PUENTE; TINA RAMIREZ, Founder of the world-renowned Ballet Hispanico; “LADY L,” LYNN SAUNDERS, Hip Hop Artist and Youth Educator; EDWIN TORRES, Author and New York State Supreme Court Judge; and DAVE VALENTIN, award-winning Latin Jazz Musician.

On view from January 21 through April 8, 2015, the exhibition will contain photography, music, costumes and ephemera that represent key moments or achievements in these accomplished alumni’s lives. For example, on display will be recordings and photographs of TITO PUENTE and DAVE VALENTIN, and other props and costumes representing the careers of TINA RAMIREZ and GRANDMASTER MELLE MEL.

Public programming for CASITA MARIA: 80 YEARS OF INSPIRING THE FUTURE will start with Casita Maria and Alumnus BENNY BONILLA’s 80th Birthday Party as the opening reception on Wednesday January 21, 2015 from 6 – 8 PM complete with music, food and party hats! Midway through the show, an IMAGINING workshop will be led by 2050 LEGACY in partnership with The US Department of Arts & Culture on Wednesday, March 11 from 4 – 6 PM for all Casita Kids (current and alumni) to turn their dreams into concrete images and words. The results will be displayed in Casita Maria’s Youth and Community Gallery throughout the exhibition. Also, on Thursday, April 2, 2015 from 6–8 PM, DAVID GONZALEZ and Folklorist ELENA MARTINEZ will have a conversation about growing up with Casita Maria and life in the South Bronx from the 1960s through 1980s.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

EXHIBITION DATES
January 21 – April 8, 2015
CASITA AND ALUMNUS BENNY BONILLA’S 80TH BIRTHDAY PARTY!
Wed., January 21, 2015
6 – 8 PM

IMAGINING WORKSHOP: ENVISIONING CASITA IN 20 YEARS
LED BY 2050 LEGACY in partnership with
THE US DEPARTMENT OF ARTS & CULTURE
Wed., March 11, 2015
4 – 6 PM

ALUMNUS TALK: DAVID GONZALEZ IN CONVERSATION WITH ELENA MARTINEZ
Thurs., April 2, 2015
6 – 8 PM

ALL EVENTS ARE FREE