CUBA ORIENTE

The Clyde Hensley Cuban Museum Exhibition now resides in South Carolina. In 2013 Nuance Galleries owned by Rob Rowen purchased the masterpieces of 15 artists who previously traveled the United States as an exhibit by Meridian International. The collection numbers around 300 pieces and varies from traditionalist to modern paintings and original woodblock prints spanning the 1960s through 2000. The longest-running exhibition of Cuban art in the U.S. traveled for 4 years and visited 18 cities. Since its opening, at Meridian International Center in Washington, DC in November 2003, “Cuba Oriente: Contemporary Painting from Eastern Cuba” has received such a tremendous response from the public averaging from 18,000 to 20,000 per location. In 2019, the University of South Carolina exhibited three of the artists from the collection at their Spartanburg Gallery. Caboverde was choosen by Bic Pen to do their calendars for two years and recently Pouyo’s work has been featured on the set of the new TV series Savannah which will be out in the fall of 2022. The artwork's subject matter shows the Cuban countryside, streets of the cities, traditional life, and modern expressionism. Several artists have a very strong political social criticism of life in Cuba. Reinaldo Pagán Ávila and Andres Borges Reyes have left Cuba and reside in Europe. Their works powerful message brought tight scrutiny to their lives and works and they felt it necessary to leave their homeland. Four of the artists Marcos Pavon Estrada, Antonio Ferrer Cabello, Pouyo, and Jose Aguilera Vincente have passed away. Important facts about the original show and the Oriente area of Cuba Meridian International Center promote international understanding through the exchange of people, ideas, and the arts. Located in Washington, D.C., Meridian seeks to educate people of all ages about global issues, connect professionals from different countries, and enrich the cultural perspectives of audiences across the US and abroad The Oriente area of Cuba is one of the first settled parts of the island. It has the oldest Church in the country and its rich history and location make this a fascinating area. Diego Velazquez founded the capital of Oriente province in 1514 and named it Santiago de Cuba. The province is made up of 22 municipalities and is Cuba’s largest province containing about one-third of the country’s population. Oriente Province is in the most eastern region of Cuba with a population of 1,797,606. [2]  It stretches across 14,641 square miles (37,920 km 2 )  [3]  and consists of various mountain ranges with the Sierra Maestra region having Cuba’s highest mountain peak and elevation in Pico Turquino. Oriente Province holds much of Cuba’s history being the place of Fidel and Raul Castro’s birth, Jose Marti was killed in battle in Dos Rios and many guerilla wars have also taken place in Oriente like the Bay of Pigs. Cuba’s first Guerilla-style war was in 1523. [4]  against the conquering Spaniards in the Sierra Maestra Mountains. Some of Cuba’s oldest cities are in Oriente Province like Baracoa and carry a rich history of Cuba’s struggle for independence and racial relations. After the occupation of the Spaniards ended in 1899, Oriente Province became a refuge to Afro-Cubans. Santiago its capital has many ties to our community. It was the site of San Juan Hill where the Rough Riders under Teddy Roosevelt achieved their fame and also where Jose Marti is buried. Many of the famous musicians from the Buena Vista Social Club came from this city and it is also the place known for the practice of Santeria.