Four Rivers Cultural Center is proud to introduce local artist Eduardo “Eddie” Gabriel Melendrez. Eddie is a skilled boxer and youth advocate who has been working with youth for the last ten years. A Youth Specialist with Community In Action, where uses boxing classes to help connect local youth to positive outlets. Eddie finds beauty in his community members, especially those who face struggles or a disadvantaged life. His unique way of looking at his community celebrates moments and people who may go overlooked (like his portrait of a homeless citizen, “The Man We All Know, But Don’t Know”). Be prepared to see your community in a new light at his upcoming gallery opening September . Eddie’s work with at-risk youth is also featured in his collection. He captures images of them laughing, playing and living. He hopes to translate the beauty and value he is witness to in people. Eddie has been fascinated with painting the deeper stories he sees in people. When he starts a painting he is nervous as he wants to capture them with the reverence and respect they deserve. After completing a painting, Eddie still struggles with overlooking the imperfections he perceives. You will be moved by his unique perspective on beauty in our community. Stories are captured in Eddie’s portraits. He prefers large canvas and mural formats, but also does small wood burning portraits. Eddie was born 1983 in Pasco Washington to field workers from Texas. His family would travel following work all over the country. Eventually his family settled in Vale, Oregon and those are the first memories he has of drawing and discovering he was an artist. Drawing always gave him positive attention from classmates and teachers so even at school he was encouraged to draw. He had a gift for seeing an object and then being able to put that image on paper without tracing. As he became a little more skilled he would visit his Uncle Marcos who also was an artist. Marcos would encourage him to keep on drawing along with giving him tips on how to get better. After moving to Bakersfield California around 1989 he had to start a new life once again and drawing was always an ice breaker to meet new people and friends. Once kids saw his drawings, he would be included in their groups. Eddies work asks you to pause and see your community in a new and deeper way. His series will be on display Friday September 2nd through October 2016. There will be a gallery opening on Friday, September 2nd from 6:00 – 8:00 PM. Eddie will be here to share insight to his inspiration and work.
The Harano Gallery is a free art and exhibit gallery that Four Rivers Cultural Center brings to the community through the support of our members, donors and funders. To find out more contact Four Rivers Cultural Center at 541-889-8191.
