Through the encouragement of fine arts instructor, Diego Monterrubio is demonstrating to his Central Valley High School students that there is a canvas of possibilities through art. Recently, Monterrubio was invited as a guest of honor by the United States Ambassador to Uruguay, Heide Fulton, to inaugurate the “Art in Embassies” exhibition.
Over 40 artists from around the world attended the exhibition, an initiative of the State Department that promotes cross-cultural understanding and dialogue through the universal language of art. The event also recognized the work of Casa de Moyo, a Uruguayan organization dedicated to fostering creativity and artistic growth.
As a special guest, Monterrubio showcased his artwork, which is rooted in his experiences from the San Joaquin Valley and his Latino and American culture. During his presentation, he spoke on the region’s distinct cultural identities and emphasized the importance of building bridges that connect Latinos across borders.
While in Uruguay, he took the opportunity to lecture at two schools where he shared the Central Valley High School Art Dual Enrollment Program with the faculty and students. Additionally, Monterrubio visited Argentina, where he worked on his two current series: “La Fusión de Tres Culturas” and “AMOR.”
“I have been given this special life because of art,” said Monterrubio. “Being fluent in English & Spanish, I enjoyed sharing stories with people from both countries. I also shared stories of my beloved people from the San Joaquin Valley.”
