Leonardo Torcuato Art Auction September 10, 2010

The works of Mexican artist and painter Leonardo Torcuato Ortiz will be made available at auction in the Paul Engle Center for Neighborhood Arts with an opening reception on Friday, September 10, 2010 beginning at 6:00p.m.

The auction includes original oil and acrylic paintings interpreting biblical passages and various historic events in U.S. and Mexico’s recent history. Included are paintings inspired by the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and unsolved murders of hundreds of young women on the U.S.-Mexico border. Some notable pieces include works the artist created inspired by the floods of 2008 created with mud from local parks and the Cedar River.

Torcuato is a native of Coyoacan, the home of many notable Mexican artists, including Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. The town is steeped in Mexican culture and is home to many writers, musicians, actors, poets and painters.

While living in Cedar Rapids from 2006-2009 with his wife Ana and son Leonardito, Torcuato served as the Paul Engle Centers’ first artist-in-residence from 2008-2009. Torcuato will return to Cedar Rapids to attend the auction and to work on the restoration of the mural he created on the Paul Engle Center building two years ago entitled “Song of the Cedar”; his interpretation of a Paul Engle poem.

Located at 1600 Fourth Ave. SE, the Paul Engle Center for Neighborhood Arts, serves as a meeting place for residents of the immediate neighborhood and the greater community for a variety of arts related and social functions. The Paul Engle Center for Neighborhood Arts is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization operated by a volunteer board of directors. Tax deductible contributions are always welcome and greatly appreciated.

For more information call (319) 366-1836 or email us This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it