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Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month!


The Magic of Andean Surrealism

with Artist Pepe Piedra Inkarasta

Virtually on Zoom

Monday, September 25th 8PM-9PM


Pepe will also be teaching a painting workshop at our

Harvest Moon Festival Sunday, September 24th 4pm-6pm

Virtually on Zoom - Click to Register in Advance

From the series 'Shamanic Awakening' ' "Mana de los Andes"

Join us as we return with another conversation on The Magic of Andean Surrealism with Artist Pepe Piedra Inkarasta virtually on Zoom Monday, September 25th 8PM-9PM.


The Andes are the expression of a cosmic miracle, which inspired me to consecrate my life to art. My work is my contribution to the strong identity of the Andean people. In various ways, my art invites a thoughtful process of thinking, in others it shouts and protests. My work also tries to capture satire, as Goya himself did, manifesting the essence of my Andean roots, and the spirit of my Latino people.


In my paintings, I seek to capture the pureness, the joy, and the solemnity of a life unstained by mankind's selfishness. My compositions exhibit colors and forms that, when combined with ordinary images of day-to-day life, conjure the magic of my Andean roots.


A magic in which both artist and spectator become immersed in the discovery of a new creative ritual.


I am still surrounded by the adventure of dreams, magic and myths, in which our tireless search for forms, language, signals, balance and tension are carried out.


I am in constant search of places, people and things. I am in search of ideas. I am thoughts of freedom, pain, struggle, life, humility, fate and thoughts of strength and love, listening and looping myself with symbols, myths, color, movement, shapes, rhythm and forms.


Through the forces of colorful dialogue, I have immersed myself in a journey of vastness and depth to form a window of imagination, to be one with the music of nature. When painters work exclusively from imagination, doors open to unlimited potential. 


"Color Meditation" Self Portrait - Acrylic

José Piedra was born in Casma - Peru, a town north Lima, the capital city. This is the same site where the Caral Civilization was discovered. Developed around 2600 B.C., the Caral are one of the oldest civilizations of the American Continent. Archeological evidence shows that they knew no weapons, but they did know art.


A 1987 graduate from the National Fine Arts School in PeruJose is a professional artist painting with surrealistic style and Andean symbolism, using oils, acrylics and mixed media techniques.


Jose Piedra first became known in Peru as a musician, once he started playing drums with Tierra Sur, a pioneer Reggae band. Since then, he has been playing percussion with several groups, including one of the most popular traditional bands in Peru, Yawar. After moving to Washington DC in 1998, he founded the RAYMI Band (fusion of Latin-folk rhythms with Rock and Reggae). In 2015, he founded “The Collective Roots” – a new band of fusion music (African and Latino roots) in Hyattsville, Maryland.


As a teacher of painting and art, Jose started Summer Camps in Trujillo (North Peruvian Coast), then he moved to Lima (the Capital) where he continued teaching as well. In 1998, he moved to the US to teach art with WVSA to kids with special needs. In 2001, he began teaching at Barbara Chambers Children Center. Between 2003-2010, he taught art at Henson Valley Montessori School in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. He also worked at “Sun Rise Academy” in Washington DC, (2008 – 2010) painting murals inside the building, warming the environment for the students. He currently works and teaches art in his PIEDR@NGULAR Studio School in Hyattsville, MD (Renaissance Square Building). Since 2010, he has been teaching art at CREATE Arts Center in Silver Spring, MD.


Jose Piedra has been doing murals and exhibitions, as well as teaching, throughout the DC area since 2000 at the present. He is also a Member Associate of the Torpedo Factory Art Center in Alexandria, VA. His work is currently on exhibit at the Renaissance Gallery in Hyattsville MD.

Twilight Tuesdays
Sunset Tuesdays--Afro-Latin Dance Party
Salsa, Kizomba & More
Every 3rd Tuesday, September 19th 7PM-9PM
FREE & Everyone Welcome!
Join us for a new monthly dance event on the plaza: Sunset Tuesdays--Afro-Latin Dance Party every third Thursday. Enjoy Bachata, Salsa, Merengue, Kizomba & More. This event is hosted by SSTCi Board Member & dancer Djanira Murchison with DJ Bachata Larry and instructors. Come for the first 20 minutes to learn a different dance-style featured each month.

Don't miss it!
Silver Spring Town Center, Inc. | 240.595.8818 |
 Silver Spring Civic Building, One Veterans Pl, Silver Spring, MD 20910 | www.silverspringtowncenter.com
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