Culture on the canvas: Cornelius Public Library to host artist meet and greet

Stepping back from the canvas, the upcoming exhibit at the Cornelius Public Library offers a chance to explore beyond the brushstrokes and learn about the cultural influence of Alejandro Ceballos.

Community members can delve into the mind of the Portland-based artist during a “meet the artist” event at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 9, at the library’s Walters Gallery.

Born in Ciudad Obregón, Sonora, Mexico, Ceballos began his creative journey at the age of five in his father’s architecture studio. He continued to fuel his curiosity while studying printing and representation techniques, photography and philosophy of arts at Arizona State University. He later earned his bachelor’s degree in graphic design from the Autonomous University of Guadalajara.

A coalescence of oils, watercolors and hand-painted prints, Ceballos’ art captures the cultural symbolism and aesthetic vibrancy of Mexican pottery — while also taking inspiration from the minutiae of life.

In October, the library opened its Walters Community Room and Gallery as a public art exhibit space, featuring works from local artists each month.

“I think it’ll let our local community know that we exist for art and that the library exists as a cultural space,” library director Karen Hill told the News-Times last year.

Funded by a $70,000 donation from The Walters Family Foundation, the space officially opened in 2019, but the pandemic delayed efforts to develop a committee to oversee its operations.

Catch Ceballos' exhibit at the Cornelius Public Library, located at 1370 N. Adair St., from Aug. 4 to Sept. 27.