CELEBRATE BRAZIL

“Northeastern Brazil” is the colorful acrylic stager backdrop for this years’ BrasilFest, and the creation of the artist, Maria da Glória, of Bothell, Washington.

The vivid murals celebrated BrasilFest’s 5^th year at the Seattle Center. It is a tribute to the untiring efforts of BrasilFest’s founders, Eduardo and Ana Paula Mendonça, as they have faithfully sought to share a portion of Brazil’s rich cultural heritage with US audiences in their performances, year after year. It is also intended to be as a giant thank you to all of BrasilFest’s talented performers from over the years.

The two (6’ x 8’) smaller side panels are representative of Brazil’s fauna and flora, along with native inhabitants to whom the country owes a profound debt of language and customs.

The large (9” x 20’) central panel depicts modern Northeastern Brazil and it’s people, descents of Brazilian natives, slaves and Portuguese. It was done with the aid of another Brazilian-born painter, Ms. Nilza Lessa (Rio de Janeiro). Ms. Lessa is not only a gifted watercolorist, but also a vocalist and composer. She is to be recognized as the composer of the musical score for the Hollywood motion picture, “School Spirit”. Also, thanks for the help from Danielle Bishop, High School student, from Snohomish, Washington.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Maria da Glória hails from Formosa, Goiás, a town in central Brazil near today’s ultramodern capital of Brazil, Brasilia.

Although the artist did not begin art studies until the early 90’s, her talent evolved rapidly under the watchful eye of Liana Bennett, instructor for Art’s Umbrella in Bothell, Washington, Maria da Glória’s preference for the mediums of oil and acrylic is evident, as she deftly uses both brush and pallet-knife in her paintings.

To the artist’s credit, across the US and Brazil today, landscapes, still-lifes and portraits of her authorship grace the walls of homes and offices of family members and friends. (Some are commissioned works; other, gifts.

Maria da Glória has, however, remained true to her main goal of depicting Brazilian folkloric themes. “Northeastern Brazil” is by far her largest undertaking to date, but one she has enjoyed the most. The murals come from her heart and speak visibly of her beloved country of birth – BRAZIL!

Some of her other works were featured at the Seattle Center’s art gallery along with the works of other Brazilian artists during BrasilFest on August 17, 2003.

BRAZIL
Center