|
|
Bio & CV
|
I was
born in Managua, the capital city of
Nicaragua, on the 21 of
September 1964. My now deceased father was Mr. Manuel Palacio, Sr.
and my mother is Mrs. Gaylia Davis Palacio. My siblings are:
Ricardo, on older brother, and the first son of my father of a
previous marriage; then Margie, Gladys, Juanita, (I am the fourth)
and Miguel. I also have a large extended family on my mother's side.
In many ways they are brothers and sisters as well.
My father was Hispanic and of Catholic faith and my mother is of
Black, British-Caribbean ancestry, and an Episcopalian. I grew up in
a bi-cultural household, speaking Spanish and English in
Bluefields,
Nicaragua's most important but laid-back Caribbean port. According
to Vianica.com, the city was a refuge for pirates and English
merchants, who used the sylvan area to hide or refuel before
continuing on to their oceanic expeditions. Bluefields was hence, a
subject to the British crown and was part of that huge empire. Due
to its terrain, the east and the west coasts are homes to two
distinctive cultures.
When I was about ten years old, my family moved to
Washington, DC. a
great city in which to grow up. if one is a child who likes art. It
is a city o lovely museums, statues, and home to many people of
different cultures, who impart to the area their various cuisines,
among other international traits and characteristics as well. And if
you are fortunate to have an older cousin like, Rupert, who loves
art as much as I do, then you will have a wonderful time just like I
did.
My family always celebrated my artistic gift, but they did not know
just what to make of it. Fortunately, Rupert filled in that very
creative void. He always took me along to museums, art exhibits, and
even to ballet performances at the impressive, Kennedy Center. He
made a point to introduce my person to his artist friends. Even at a
young age, my cousin would introduce me to others as an "artist."Rupert
would declare with encouragement, "this is Fonzo, (my nick-mane in
the family) he is a very good artist. Those were some great times in
my life.
|
|
 |
In High School and just
like Rupert, I had two very dear friends, who were passionate about
Art. They are,
Biko Sankofa (Shean Martin) and Monique Langston.
They were my cheerleaders. Their never-ending encouragement spurred
me on to do the very best with my craft. And even to this day, I am
humbly and indelibly very grateful to them for their indefatigable
enthusiasm and kind support.
In addition to those mentioned above, I hereby express my deepest
appreciation and indebted gratitude to the following kind and
extraordinary individuals:
The great “El Unico”
Ken Abrahams, of
Anancy Gallery my roommate at
MICA in Baltimore the most inspiring Artist I know; his love and
support of Art was and is always encouraging.
Mr. John Ferguson, a Baltimore sculptor and head of the Maintenance
Department of the Maryland Institute of Art, and who gave me my
first welding instruction.
Mr. Garry Siegel, owner of
New Arts Foundry, the single place in
which I learned most about art, and consequently, the best
establishment ever where I worked.
Mr. Desmond Fountain, owner of The Desmond Fountain Studio, and Ms.
Stacy Edness, the Administrative Assistant. Mr. Fountain gave me the
freedom I needed to explore and express my individual creativity.
Bermudian poet extraordinaire and author,
Andra Simons, for his
generous and successful collaboration in the launching of my show
"Light & Air," at Kafu Hair & Gallery which ensued ample televise
coverage, and to which, Wayne Dill in The Style Section of the
Mid-Ocean News stated as, "a seismic shift in the artistic landscape
.... a thunderous rumble of an opening that will not be soon
forgotten or surpassed. It was absolutely Magical." And to which,
Vejay Steede of
The Royal Gazette added, "This show was quite a
unique exhibit of artistic skill and human beauty."
Mr. Kendal Harvey, a staff member at Spice Valley Middle School of
the Education Department of Bermuda. Mr. Harvey was instrumental in
making it possible for me to obtain my first job as a Teacher of Art
at said learning institution.
Ms.
Bianca Hewson, a staff member at Cedarbridge Academy, and who
taught me most of what I know about teaching.
Ms. Jennifer Phillips and Ms. Crystal Todd, who were like my life
guards during my phase of a self-employed artist.
Che Caines, one of my most talented students; a young man with
promising bright future, and with whom it was a pleasure to
encourage and share artistic feedbacks.
Last, but certainly not the least, my beautiful wife and baby
daughter, Kae Thomas-Palacio and Phoenix. I would also like to
acknowledge my former wife, Gail Santucci and my loving daughters,
Pharaoh, Indigo and Maya.
Manuel Palacio
|
PROFILE
§
Prominent Artist in the Bermuda Arts Community
§
Strong foundation in sculpting, painting, drawing,
composition and color, complemented by a creative and
inquisitive passion for art.
§
Innovative instruction and leadership in community art
programs
§
Experienced in commissioned portraits and sculptures
|
|
EDUCATION
Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore,
Maryland, USA, BA., 1987 |
|
EXPERIENCE
Art Instructor
§
Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art, Bermuda, 2008 -
Present
§
Cedarbridge Academy, Devonshire, Bermuda, 2003 - 2008
§
Spice Valley Middle School, Warwick, Bermuda, 2002 -
2003
§
Community Education & Development Program, Bermuda,
1998 - Present
President,
The Bermuda Society of Arts, Bermuda, 2000 - 2002
Professional Fine Artist,
Self-employed, Bermuda, 1999 - 2002
Assistant Sculptor,
Desmond Fountain Studio, Bermuda, 1991 - 1999
Bronze Arts Finisher,
New Arts Foundry, Baltimore, Maryland, USA, 1988 - 1991 |
|
AWARDS
§
Best Artist Category, Bermuda Gold Awards,
§
Best of Show, Bermuda Society of Arts, 1997
§
Honorable Mention, Corcoran College of Art & Design
National Finals, 1983
§
Honorable Mention, Prince George County High School Art
Show, 1983 |
|
COMMISSIONS & COLLECTIONS
§
Bermuda National Gallery, Bermuda, Permanent Collection
§
Zurich Insurance Company, Bermuda
§
Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art, Bermuda
§
Ministry of Community and Cultural Affairs, Bermuda
§
Hon. Dame Jennifer Smith JP, MP, Bermuda
§
Windreach Recreational Facility, Bermuda
§
Norman G. Kester,
District Six Press, Toronto, Canada
§
Various Private Commissions |
|
EXHIBITIONS
Solo Exhibitions
§
Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art, Artists in the Garden
Series 2006
§
Kafu Gallery, Bermuda, Painting by Numbers 2004
§
Kafu Gallery, Bermuda, “B” Side Show 2003
§
The Burnaby Gallery, Bermuda, Bougainvilleas 2001
§
Rock Island Coffee House, Bermuda, Light and Air: The
Finale 2001
§
Kafu Gallery, Bermuda, Light and Air 2001
§
Bermuda Society of Arts,Masterworks Foundation, Bermuda,
Artists Up Front Street Series 1999,
I is
§
Bermuda Society of Arts and the Masterworks Foundation,
Bermuda, Artists Up Front Street Series 1997
Selected Group Exhibitions
-
Bermuda Society of Arts, Bermuda, Artists of the
Caribbean
-
Kafu Gallery, Bermuda, The Colour of Chords
2004
-
Bermuda Society of Arts, Bermuda, Past Presidents’
Show 2003
-
Bermuda National Gallery, Bacardi Limited Biennial
2002
-
Bermuda Arts Centre at Dockyard, Bermuda, Love
2001
-
The Rosebank Gallery, Bermuda, Synergy: A
Contemporary Bermudian Collection 2001
-
Kafu Gallery, Bermuda, One Love 2001
-
Bermuda National Gallery, Bacardi Limited Fourth
Biennial 2000
-
Bermuda National Gallery, Bacardi Limited Third
Biennial 1998
-
Bermuda Society of Arts, Bermuda, Juried Members
Show 1997
-
Bermuda Arts Centre at Dockyard, Juried Jazz Show
1997
-
Bermuda National Gallery, Bacardi Limited Second
Biennial 1996
-
Hampton University, Virginia, USA, Juried Show 1988
-
Maryland Institute College of Art, Maryland, USA,
Senior Art Show 1987
-
Corcoran College of Art & Design, Washington D.C.,
USA, National Finals Touring Exhibition 1983
|
|
|
