By: Ashmar Mandou
For Miami native Anais Perez entering the Latino Art Beat National Art Competition was solely based on curiosity. “I heard about the competition through my school’s department and I just thought, ‘why not,’” said Perez, over a phone interview with Lawndale Bilingual Newspaper. “I never thought I would win the competition. So when I did I was super excited and surprised.” Perez, a graduate from Doral Performing Arts and Entertainment Academy, Miami, has received $31,000 from the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) per year and an additional $5,000 per year as the Latino Art Beat National Winner, through the Latino Art Beat totaling $146,000. “This is a tremendous help for me to continue with my education,” said Perez. “I am being given the chance to study my craft at the highest collegiate level at MICA, an opportunity that someone in my financial background could never have even dreamt of pursuing.”
This year, Perez participated in Latino Art Beat visual arts competition through Miami-Dade County Public Schools and the Office of Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado and entered artwork titled “El Orgullo Mundial.” “I love the arts. I love that you can translate an idea, a statement, portray a civil movement through the form of art and have that start a dialogue. I am so grateful to Latino Art Beat for giving me this opportunity.” Perez will be honored on October 8th at Miami City Hall. As for the 2015 regional winners they are: CHICAGO: 1st Place Ana Ojeda –who’s winning artwork is titled “Baseball”; MICHIGAN 1st Place Samantha Linares – “Sport Brings the Best Out of Us”; DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: 1st Place Isaac Bergtalk – “Prehistoric Game”; DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Runner-up: Jenz Manangan – “Fighters Catalyst”; MIAMI Runner-up: Khadine Caines – “A-Rod.”
Chicago based organization Latino Art Beat is in its 19th program year offering a themed visual arts competition to high school and early college age students in select cities. For students interested in participating in the 2016 competition, visit www.latinoartbeat.com.
