Cosmé Cordova

Cosmé Cordova is the founder and Director of Riverside based Division 9 Gallery. Those who are familiar with his efforts know him as an influential force in the City’s burgeoning arts scene.Through the years, Cordova has enhanced the role of arts and cultural events in the City of Riverside and has established himself as a professional artist, showcasing his artwork in galleries throughout Southern California. Aside from being recognized by the City for his artistic excellence and community service, Cordova is known for his development of partnerships with other arts and community organizations. Included in the list of his inspired signature events are: Riverside Arts Walk on First Thursdays and the annual Riverside Day of the Dead Celebration. In addition, Cordova brings to the forefront both established and emerging local artists, as well as art students from local educational institutions.

Alec Esparza- Ofrenda – Blue Heaven/Viva Los Dodgers

I grew up a Dodger fan while they were still playing in Brooklyn.  I recall the names of Dodger greats

and Hall of Famers that were my Father and Grandfather’s favorites like Duke Snider, Gil Hodges, Roy Campanella, Jackie Robinson, Peewee Reese, Johnny Padres, Don Drysdale and listening to Vin Scully call games on the radio when they arrived in Los Angeles in 1958. This Blue Heaven ofrenda is dedicated to family members, now deceased, who Tommy Larsorda would say, bleed Dodger Blue.  As well as the Dodgers that became my favorites like 3-Dog Willie Davis, Big Frank Howard, Gentleman Jim Gilliam, Wally Moon, and Johnny Roseboro to name a few.  My Daughter Yvette, who has contributed the last few years in constructing ofrenda’s with me is also a devoted Los Angeles Dodger fan.

Aurora Chavez – Papel Picado

After retiring from my job of 20 years with the County of Orange, I decided to take up Papel Picado classes which were offered at Plaza de La Raza Cultural Center for the Arts where I attended classes once a week for almost 3 years. This Craft was taught by Maestra Margret Sosa. Who was taught by Master Paper Cutter, Olga Ponce Furginson.

I’ve managed the Papel Picado demonstration booth for the last 6 years for the City of Downey’s incredible Día de los Muertos event. I start preparing for this event in July by working on various projects to get ready. One of the projects is providing Papel Picado for the Zocalo area and decoration of the vendor booths area approx. 320 ft

Papel Picado is cutting designs out of layered colored tissue paper with chisels, scissors and knifes then glued on a string and hung for fiestas. Paper cutting requires a skill that is becoming a lost art, so when ever I’m working on a design I can’t wait to finish project, so I can see the finished product. I find it very gratifying, fun and at the same time relaxing.

I haven’t once regretted taking this artistic journey, that’s why I take great pride in providing demonstrations of this art to the community at the 8^th Annual Dia De los Muertos Art Festival, so that Papel Picado can be appreciated and enjoyed by event goers!

Matthew Luther

Matthew Luther is a multimedia artist working in Riverside California. His studio work ranges from printmaking to video and draws inspiration from landscapes and everyday nuances. His artwork often explores the human relationship to nature and the connection of visual imagery to memory.

 Matthew is originally from Virginia and honed his skills while studying art in Oregon and Wisconsin. Along with international exhibitions in China, Italy, and South Korea, Luther has been a visiting Artist-in-Residence in Iceland, Sweden, Norway, and Finland.

 As a visiting Artist-in-Residence at the Riverside Art Museum, he designed and constructed a mobile printmaking bike. A bicycle trailer frame serves as a base for a modular wooden unit that is used to print silkscreen, linoleum, and woodcut designs. The mobile cart is pulled by a refurbished 1973 Schwinn 3-speed and travels throughout Riverside and surrounding community events to demonstrate printmaking techniques as a part of community engagement, education, and fun through printmaking. Getting art beyond the walls of the museum or classroom and into the public.

Stay Gallery

Stay Gallery is a community art gallery and creative space located in the heart of Downtown Downey. Stay Gallery is operated by Stay Arts, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that engages and empowers Southeast Los Angeles communities through the arts, creative exploration and cultural expression.

Stay Gallery’s mission is to provide access to space, participation and visibility in the arts for local artists, youth and families through community-led exhibitions, workshops and creative experiences.

Veteranos Car Club S.G.V – Classic Car Altars

Thank you to everyone who has participated in our Classic Car Altar exhibit over the past years! Click here to check out Veteranos SGV Instagram!

Downey Arts Coalition – “Ofrenda” Exhibition

Staged at three locations on the Festival grounds, “Ofrendas” (Spanish for Offerings) includes featured artist Jorge Del Toro’s sculptures that reflect abstracts and celebrating nature that will be displayed in the lobby amongst the traditional fine art display in the Theatre’s mezzanine. We are also excited that for the first time, but not the last, Downey Arts Coalition will be presenting a student art exhibit adjacent to the main Library.