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Date: February 3, 2025

Crosstown Arts presents From the Ashes, Supernatural Telescope, The Colors of the Caribbean, and A Journey into the Shadows in the Galleries at Crosstown Arts.

Join us for the Opening Reception of four compelling new exhibitions at the Galleries at Crosstown Arts: From the Ashes, Supernatural Telescope, The Colors of the Caribbean, and A Journey into the Shadows. These exhibitions showcase the resilience of artists, explorations of culture, and narratives of migration and memory.

Enjoy a complimentary cocktail from Art Bar, delicious reception appetizers by Chef Kevin Sullivan of Kitchen Laurel, and live jazz by Ted Ludwig & Michael Shults.

Featured exhibitions include works by Maritza Dávila-Irizarry, Danielle Sierra, Juan Roberto Murat Salas, and Nelson Gutierrez.

The Galleries at Crosstown Arts
Friday, February 7, 2025
6-8 PM
Free and open to the public


From the Ashes by Maritza Dávila-Irizarry

West Gallery

Artist Statement:
“The thread that runs through all my work is ancestry—the collection of inseparable qualities that, through blood and culture, shape who we are. My work explores memories woven through symbols of passage: windows, arches, doorways, gates, text, mapping, and the body. Through printmaking techniques such as screen-printing, intaglio, and bookbinding, I seek to reflect identity, experience, and the passage of time.”

Exhibition Overview:
From The Ashes is a tribute to the indomitable spirit of an artist rebuilding after loss. Following the destruction of her printmaking studio in April 2024, Maritza Dávila reimagines and repurposes her surviving works, incorporating damaged and undamaged pieces, photographs, video, and remnants from her studio. This exhibition is not only a reflection on loss but a testament to resilience and the enduring power of art.

Artist Bio:
Maritza Dávila-Irizarry is a Puerto Rican printmaker and educator based in Memphis. She was a professor at Memphis College of Art for 36 years and has exhibited her work internationally. Her art is deeply rooted in themes of identity, ancestry, and the passage of time.


The Colors of the Caribbean by Juan Roberto Murat Salas

Pop Out Walls

Artist Statement:
“With vibrant colors and diverse elements, The Colors of the Caribbean captures the richness of Caribbean cultures, particularly Cuban heritage. My work pays homage to the great masters of Cuban art and reflects the experiences of artists from the region who face challenges in sharing their work internationally.”

Exhibition Overview:
Featuring paintings that depict deities, dance, flora, fauna, and architecture, this exhibition brings the bold, dynamic spirit of the Caribbean to Crosstown Arts. Murat, trained at San Alejandro Academy in Havana, Cuba, presents his first solo exhibition in the U.S., offering an intimate look at the visual language and storytelling traditions of his homeland.

Artist Bio:
Juan Roberto Murat Salas is a Cuban-born painter, sculptor, and set designer now residing in Memphis. He studied at San Alejandro National School of Plastic Arts and the ISA Higher Institute of Art in Havana. His work is in private collections across the Americas and Europe.


A Journey into the Shadows by Nelson Gutierrez

Screening Room

Artist Statement:
“My work explores forced displacement and global migration through expanded drawing techniques and 3D sculptural forms. Using high-definition projections, laser-cut materials, and kinetic elements, my art interacts with light and shadow to tell stories of movement, loss, and adaptation.”

Exhibition Overview:
A Journey into the Shadows features a series of rotating 3D cutouts that cast shifting shadows, symbolizing the fluidity of identity and the experiences of migrants. The interplay of light and darkness in these works serves as a metaphor for the transient and often invisible nature of displacement.

Artist Bio:
Born in Bogotá, Colombia, Nelson Gutierrez is a visual artist based in Memphis. He holds an MFA from Chelsea College of Art and Design, London, and has exhibited internationally. His work often addresses themes of migration, displacement, and identity.


Supernatural Telescope by Danielle Sierra

East Gallery

Artist Statement:
“My work is an exploration of memory, spirituality, and the unseen. Inspired by my father’s legacy, Supernatural Telescope is a visual meditation on the ways love, faith, and time shape our perception of the world.”

Exhibition Overview:
Blending allegory with personal history, Supernatural Telescope invites viewers to engage with themes of connection, memory, and transcendence. The artworks reflect on the power of imagination and faith, presenting vibrant and introspective pieces that encourage contemplation and reverence.

Artist Bio:
Danielle Sierra is a California-born visual artist specializing in painting and mural arts. She holds an MFA from the University of Memphis and has worked with the Urban Art Commission of Memphis and Mural Arts Philadelphia. Her work explores themes of identity, spirituality, and cultural heritage.


Exhibition Opening Details:

The Galleries at Crosstown Arts
Friday, February 7, 2025
6-8 PM
Free and open to the public

For more information, CLICK HERE.

1350 CONCOURSE AVE • MEMPHIS, TN • 38104 • 901.203.8300