VISUAL ARTS

“13 Contemporary Artists in Cuba” Exhibit Open to the Public

Peggi Davis

Marketing & Alumni Relations

Wednesday, Aug 13,2008

"Antes que Nada, 13 Contemporary Artists in Cuba" is a world-class collection of works by internationally-acclaimed Cuban artists in major museum collections, including the Birmingham Museum of Art. The works include oil paintings, watercolors, drawings, prints, videos, photography and photography installations, or "movimientos," showing a wide range of influences from Afro-Cuban to Contemporary American culture.

The show's title means "Before Anything Else," as in the thing of primary importance. Translated literally, it means "Before There Was Nothing," and explores the concept that the politically unrecognized reality of Cuba does indeed still exist. The dramatic collection was pulled together by Stephen Humphreys, a Birmingham native who graduated from Indian Springs School, Princeton University, and the University of Georgia School of Law, where he was the Brogan Scholar for Law and the Arts. After traveling internationally for Birmingham law firm Maynard, Cooper & Gale as Special Assistant to American Bar Association President Lee Cooper, Humphreys ultimately turned his love of languages and the arts into a profession.

Humphreys' photographs of Cuba and its people are included in the show. Other artists include Glenda Leon, Jorge Luis Marrero, Liang Dominguez Fong, Alfredo Ramos, Vladimir de Leon, Isolina Limonta, Carlos del Toro, Kasia Badach, Olympya Ortiz, Ernesto Mata, Barbara Mata and Jose Bedia. The exhibition consists of works

from Humphreys' personal collection, as well as additional works on loan from these artists.

The show's opening and reception is scheduled at the school from 5:00-7:00 p.m. in the Vulcan Materials Gallery. There is no charge for admission. The show will run through December 19 with additional events planned at the school in conjunction with the exhibit.

"Antes que Nada" is dedicated to Humphreys’ grandmother, Mrs. Edwin A. "Bill" Rose, who was Supervisor of Speech Arts for the Birmingham public school system. She helped pioneer the founding of ASFA after noticing talented, non-academic students dropping out of public school.