LADB Aliados/ladb allies
We are proud to introduce our LADB Aliados/Allies who are instrumental to the success of our organization. They are community shareholders who support and are intimately involved in LADB Buffalo operations. LADB Aliados/Allies volunteer during events and are invited to share input and ideas during general meetings. LADB Aliados/Allies are non-paying members with no exhibiting influence or voting rights but are invited to participate in select exhibits as guest artists.
Vinny Alejandro
"not the kid"
Family, Art, and music are my biggest passions.
Half Puerto Rican and half Irish guy from Buffalo, NY. Worked hard to become an international graffiti and mural artist.
I have been into art all of my life. I love aerosol art, however, I paint in many different styles and mediums. I also enjoy painting on older buildings and lost architectural gems.
I have been an artist most of my life and had put it aside for a while until I painted a mural on 20th Street and Main in Joplin, MO after the EF5 tornado hit the city. Because of that, I have a renewed passion for creating.
Now work on walls and canvas in an urban contemporary style using spray cans, oils, chalks, watercolors- whatever medium if feel will have the best impact on a piece.
Vinny is also a co-founder of Los Artistas del Barrio Buffalo.
Manny Perez and Son BoriKua
Son Borikua has been with Los Artistas del Barrio Buffalo from Day One, sharing their music during many of our community arts events. Son Borikua integrates their own interpretation and subtle, yet powerful, influence into the traditional Afro Cuban - Puerto Rican musical genre. Never straying away from the tropical Caribbean, Plena, Bomba and Salsa groove heritage, Son BoriKua brings a vibe of life and authenticity that many artists can not match.
https://www.instagram.com/son_borikua/
https://www.facebook.com/sonboriKuabuffalo/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1X2Ck0n1jF18BYkyWnYTrA?view_as=subscriber
William Rodriguez
William is born and raised in Buffalo, NY, starting his career in the visual arts at Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts.
William is the founder of Creative Zenith and creator of the graphic novels and comic books that celebrate Puerto Rican superheroes, all of which are developed and illustrated by William.
William also enjoys other artistic outlets that include Graphic Design, Painting, Deejaying, and Music.
Currently, William is LADB’s primary graphic designer, creating the logo for LADB Buffalo, which is adorned on all of our marketing products, such as T-shirts, buttons, and posters.
William is a co-founder of Los Artistas delBarrio Buffalo. Although he has stepped away as a primary drivers of the organization, he still lends his support to our mission and vision.
Dr. Craig Centrie
Craig received his Ph.D from the Department of Social Foundations, SUNYAB, is a specialist in ethnographic data collection teaching Latinx Studies since 1981, he has been an instructor in Transnational Studies/Latinx Studies. His work explores the identity formation and experiences of immigrants and refugees to the United States and has published on issues of Latin America, the Caribbean and Asia. Craig is the co-founder of El Museo Francisco Oller y Diego Rivera in Buffalo New York, a WNY arts visual arts organization dedicated to the exploration of art of underrepresented communities.
Alexsandra Lopez
SOY SALSERA Y CANTANTE!
Alexsandra works as a bilingual speech language pathologist with children aged 2-6. I love my job. I love salsa dancing, movies, theatre, international dining, outdoors, the beach, and spending time with my friends and family and my dog.
ARAYOAN TYLEC
I am a mother, educator, and artist at heart. I graduated with a BFA from the University at Buffalo (00’). I have been painting since the age of 8, where at such a young age I was introduced to the arts by taking classes at La Liga de Arte in San Juan, PR.
In recent years I have been reining in my inner artist to complete and continue painting about my culture and personal identity. I was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico and my rich culture has been a true inspiration for my work.
Being a part of Los Artistas del Barrio Buffalo (LAdB) has motivated me to awaken my love of art that had been tranquil in recent years. I am excited to be a part of LAdB and to the many collaborations and opportunities to come.
Dr. Richard Reitsma
Richard researches and teaches on gender, sexuality, race and (im)migration in film and literature in Spanish and English in the programs in Spanish, Latin American Studies, and Honors at Canisius College, and has taught graduate courses at Universidad IberoAmericana Puebla and the American Studies Center at the University of Warsaw. Richard also directs study abroad programs in Cuba and Mexico. Current projects include an examination of Buffalo industry and slavery in Cuba, another on LGBTQIA+ issues in Cuba, and a work on Immigration/Deportation in Mexico. He is the founding director of the Borders & Migrations Initiative , and the LatinX and LGBTQ Speakers Series. Richard was recently appointed Faculty Associate Dean of Inclusion and Engagement. Richard has organized various “Dive into El Barrio” immersion events for students, organizes a service-learning program with Spanish speaking immigrants, and conducts a LatinX geocaching project. Richard is responsible for the two murals at Canisius College, one by Edrys Wajed and one by the Puerto Rican feminist arts collective Morivivi
Tracy Rose
Tracy is an art teacher for the Buffalo Public Schools who is currently in the role of Arts Coordinator for the Arthur O. Eve School of Excellence #61. She is a tireless advocate for the arts and is often seen volunteering with us when Los Artistas sponsors or participates in a community arts event, especially if it involves young people. Tracy is also one of our main grant writers. She recently secured a grant through the Arts Services Initiatives of WNY, where we are partnering with Buffalo Niagara Water Keepers on a temporary environmental community arts installation called Agua Flow.
Diana santiago
After a few years into her 30+ career working with underserved communities, Diana needed an outlet.
Art was it.
Except, she felt she knew very little about the scope of what art could be. What she did know was that she loved music and dance. That was it. It has been a journey of learning throughout the years, where Diana has enjoyed learning about the different forms and genres of art; especially those shared with her Michele Agosto, her niece and co-founder of Los Artistas del Barrio Buffalo.
Diana now enjoys all types of art mediums and events, frequenting those in the New York Metropolitan area as much as possible. Diana especially enjoys those with a cultural focus.
Diana is a New York City native raised in Washington Heights, born in The Bronx, and working in The Bronx. I have lived in North Jersey for half of my life. My vision is to be a conduit for Los Artistas del Barrio Buffalo and expose the creative works of Los Artistas del Barrio Buffalo with those Artists Downstate in the NY/NJ region and beyond.