Maestro Balam Soto

Honors and Awards

2009
•    “Latino de Oro” [Golden Latino] Award for Arts & Culture in Connecticut
In addition:
o    City of Hartford, Connecticut Mayor Eddie Perez presented the award and an “Official Citation . . . in recognition of [Balam’s] outstanding contribution in art.”
o    Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell sent an “Official Statement” of congratulations
o    Connecticut State Treasurer Denise Nappier sent a “Public Leadership Citation”

•    Rhode Island Governor Donald Carcieri “Extends His Greetings and Appreciation” (State Latin American Visual Arts Exhibit)
•    Consul for Guatemala in Rhode Island, Carlos Escobedo presented an official thank you for Balam’s support of the Consulate and the Guatemalan community

2008
•    The Board of Directors of National Dignitaries of the National Constitutional Assembly of Guatemala awarded a “Diploma of Recognition” and the title of “Maestro,” or Master Artist, for “being a valuable and outstanding Guatemalan with international success.”
•    The Cultural Office of Guatemala in New York presented an award “to Maestro Balam Soto for his outstanding artistic career in the visual arts.”
•    Consul for Guatemala in New York, Rosa Marìa Mèrida de Mora sent a “Diploma of Recognition”

2006
•    Scholarship Recipient, Arte Inc., New Haven, CT

2005
•    October Artist of the Month, Liquitex Artist Materials

Selected 2008 & 2009 Exhibitions (** = Solo Exhibition)

“Day of the Dead: Art and Culture in the Americas”
Everhart Museum of Natural History, Science & Art, Scranton, Pennsylvania
September – December 2009   

“AmericAura,” Traveling exhibition
~Centre Cultural, Brussels, Belgium, 2009
~Teatro Cesare Volta (digital images), Pavia, Italy, 2009
~“AfricAura”, National Library of Cameroon, Yaounde, Cameroon, West Africa, 2008
~Augusta Savage Gallery, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 2007

** “e-voluciòn: del arte guatemalteco” [“e-volution: of guatemalan art”]
Miraflores Museum, Guatemala City, Guatemala
August 2009

“Media Fluid,” Queens Museum of Art, Queens, New York
November 2009

“Media Lounge”
Grace Exhibition Space & Gallery, Brooklyn, New York
September 2009

** “Re.invent”
Sunrise Library, Las Vegas, Nevada
September – November 2009

“Immigrants’ Art Exhibit,” Traveling exhibition
~South Ocean Art Gallery, Freeport, NY, November – December 2009
~NJ Immigration Policy Network Gallery, Newark, NJ, Oct. 16 – Nov. 11
~Suffolk County Community College, Long Island, NY, Sept. – Oct. 2009
~Rio II Gallery, New York, NY, July 2009
~Arts Horizons LeRoy Neiman Art Center, New York, NY, July – August 2009

** “2012 Interact”
Colo-Colo Gallery, 25 Centre Street, New Bedford, MA 02740
November, 2009    

** Guatemalan Consulate, Providence, RI
November 2009

** “Guatemalan Art Beyond Borders”
City Hall, Providence, Rhode Island
July 2009

“Something Old- Something New”
8TH Annual State Latin American Visual Arts Exhibit
Atrium Gallery, Providence, RI
October 2009

“Alive with History,” Connecticut Historical Society Museum, Hartford, CT
Museum exhibit at the Old State House in Hartford.
Ongoing exhibit since 2006

Hartford Open Studio
November 2009

”Museum After Dark Summer Art Auction”
New Britain Museum of American Art, New Britain, CT
August 2009

** “Tzolkin 0.1: Version 2”
Director’s Gallery, Hartford, CT
The Tzolkin exhibit traveled to a second location.
June - October, 2009    

** “Tzolkin 0.1: An Interactive Exploration of the Mayan Calendar”
Charter Oak Cultural Center, Hartford, CT
Balam combined his expertise in art and in information technology with his Mayan roots to create an artistic, interactive installation re-interpreting the Mayan calendar.
June, 2009    

Farmington Valley Arts Center Gallery, Avon, CT
2006 - 2009

“Hispanic Heritage Art Show,” Elmhurst Hospital, Queens, NY
Exhibit curated by the Queens Museum of Art. 
November, 2008   

** “Solo: Myth 0.1,” Colo-Colo Gallery, New Bedford, MA
An artistic perspective on Mayan Mythology.
November 2008

“Ancestors: A Day of the Dead Celebration,” Institute for Community Research, Hartford, CT
Multi-media, interactive exhibit that gave artistic expression to the ritual of honoring those who have passed on. In addition to installations, the reception featured poetry, video, music and dance performances. Organized and curated by Balam Soto.
October-November 2008

** “Origins,” Latins in the Borough Art Gallery, Stonington, CT
January - February 2008    

Upcoming Exhibitions (* = Solo Exhibition)

“Immigrants’ Art Exhibit,” Traveling exhibition
~Shore Institute of the Contemporary Arts, Long Branch, NJ, January – February 2010

** Augusta Savage Gallery, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA
October 2010

Previous Solo Exhibitions             

2008    Hartford Hospital Gallery, Hartford, CT
2007–8    “Perceptual,” Director’s Gallery, Hartford, CT    
2007    “Ofrenda 2: A Day of the Dead Installation,” Hartford Public Library, Hartford, CT
2006-7    “A Rainforest of Color,” The Art Station, Hartford, CT
2006    “Ancient Voices,” ETC Gallery, Hartford, CT
2006    “Mystic Within,” Pegasus Gallery, Middlesex Community College, Middletown,CT
2006    “Realms of Color,” Exposure Ltd., Manchester, CT
2005    “Cultural Spirit”, Director’s Gallery, Hartford, CT
2005    "Mysticism," Charter Oak Cultural Center, Hartford, CT
2005    La Paloma Sabanera, Hartford, CT
2005    Webster Bank, New Haven, CT
2005    Kafe, New Haven, CT
2004    "Fifth Sun," Wethersfield Public Library, Wethersfield, CT
1998    "Misticismo," DeSales Hall Ballroom, Hartford, CT

Previous Group Exhibitions

2007-8    "The Latin Perpective... a touch of Contemporary Art," New Brit. Art League, New Britain, CT, Curated by Latins in the Borough Art Gallery
2008        “Forgeries,” Charter Oak Cultural Center, Hartford, CT, Art auction fundraiser
2008    “Menage A7,” New Haven, CT
2004-8    Hartford Open Studio, Hartford, CT
I open my studio every year for this city-wide artistic event.
2005-7    "Interwoven," ArtSpace Gallery, Hartford, CT, Annual multi-cultural art exhibit
curated, organized and participated in by Balam Soto
2007: “Interwoven 3: Avant-Garde”
2006: “Interwoven 2”
2005: “Interwoven: Cultural Identity of 3 Latino Artists”
2007    “Mùsica! Mùsica! Mùsica!” Arte Inc., New Haven, CT
2007    The Pump House, Hartford, CT
2007    Farmington Unity Day Cultural Festival, Farmington, CT
2007    “Apartment # __ ,” ArtSpace Gallery, Hartford, CT
2006    “Ofrendas: A Day of the Dead Celebration,” Hartford Public Library, Hartford, CT
First annual exhibit honoring the Day of the Dead traditions practiced in Latin
America; Curated, organized and participated in by Balam Soto
2006    “no.mad,” Park Street, Hartford, CT
2006    “Ancestral Spirits,” Director’s Gallery, Hartford, CT
2006    “Inaugural Opening,” The Art Station, Hartford, CT
2006    “Holiday Show,” Farmington Valley Arts Center, Farmington, CT
2006    “Jazz Up the House,” Hartford, CT
2005    "Through the Eyes of Culture and Tradition," Capitol Community College,
Hartford, CT, Sponsored by The Craftery Gallery
2005    “Dia de los Muertos,” Rocking Horse Cafe, New York, NY
2005    “Winter Treasures,” Exposure Ltd. Art & Framing, Manchester, CT
2005    Oddfellows Playhouse, Middletown, CT
1998 - 2000    "Individual Concerns," Gallery of Social and Political Art, Boston, MA
1999    "Violence and Society," Gallery of Social and Political Art, Boston, MA
1998    Barnes & Noble, Farmington, CT
1998    City Store, Hartford, CT
1991    University of San Carlos, Guatemala City, Guatemala

Murals

2008    Office of Cultural Affairs for the city of Hartford, CT
Directed two mural projects for the Pope Park Community Center
2007    Montessori School of Greater Hartford, West Hartford, CT
Created 4’ x 6’ mural
2007    Artists Collective, Hartford, CT
Directed 5’ x 18’ mural
2007    Hartford Public Library and the Coalition to Strengthen the Sheldon/Charter Oak
Neighborhood, Hartford, CT
Directed 5’ x 42’ mural
2007     Office of Cultural Affairs for the city of Hartford, CT
Directed two 5’ x 12’ murals for Hartford City Hall and the Pope Park Community Center
2006    Hartford Public Library and the Coalition to Strengthen the Sheldon/Charter Oak
Neighborhood, Hartford, CT
Directed a 36’ x 8’ mural for the Hartford Public Library
2006     Cross-Cultural Academy of Arts and Technology, Hartford, CT
Directed 16’ x 5’ mural for the school
1993    Collaborated in the creation of four murals, University of San Carlos, Guatemala
City, Guatemala

Lectures, Gallery Talks and Slide Shows

2008    Slide show, Community Presentation, Port Chester, NY
2008    “A Review of Contemporary Central American Art and its Anthropological
Roots,” Latins in the Borough Art Gallery, Stonington, CT
2007    Gallery Talk, New Britain Art League, New Britain, CT
2007    “Modern Art and the Day of the Dead,” Hartford Public Library, Hartford, CT
2006    “The Day of the Dead,” Hartford Public Library, Hartford, CT
2005    “Art in the Mayan Religion”, Middlesex Community College, Middletown, CT
2005    “Natives”, Department of Health and Human Services, Hartford, CT
2005    Gallery Talk, Capital Community College, Hartford, CT
2005    Gallery Talk, Charter Oak Cultural Center, Hartford, CT   
2004    Lecture, Wethersfield Art League, Wethersfield, CT

Publications

2010        Upcoming Magazine Cover Art, The Door Opener, CT, Spring edition
2010        Upcoming Book Cover Art, Book about Maximòn by Otto Chicas Rendòn
2009        Article in Book, “The New Renaissance in the Digital Age of Art,”
Balam Soto, "Art is Dead" by Ted Mikulski
2008        Cover Art, Manchester Community College Continuing Ed., Winter catalogue
2008        Cover Art, The Hartford Courant: i Towns, June 22
2008        Magazine Cover Art, “2008 Alternative Health Guide,” Spirit of Change Magazine,
Uxbridge, MA
2007    Catalogue, “Americaura,” Augusta Savage Gallery, University of MA, Amherst, MA  
2006    Magazine cover art, The Door Opener, CT, Spring edition
2006    Cover Art, Manchester Community College Continuing Education, Fall catalogue

Media Interviews

2009 Press Coverage

Television and Radio Interviews
•    “Viva Hartford,” Joyce Bolanos and Jose Vega, Hartford Public Access, Hartford, CT, November
•    “El Show de Analeh,” Ana Alfaro, Univision, Hartford, CT, October 24
•    “6 pm News,” Univision, Las Vegas, NV, September 23
•    Rodrigo Gonzalez Yañez, Radio KRLV, Las Vegas, NV, September  23
•    “La Hora Chapina,” Israel Fuentes, Radio KRLV, Las Vegas, NV, September 6
•    “Full Bloom,” Zita Christian, Cox Cable Public Access Television, Hartford, CT, April 14

Newspaper, Magazine and Internet Articles
•    “Arte Guatemalteco,” [Guatemalan Art], Hugo Caballeros, El Guatemalteco, Providence, RI, December
•    “Noche de Fiesta en Hartford,” [Party Night in Hartford], Identidad Latina, Hartford, CT, November 26
•    “Exhibit Inspired by Mayan Calendar,” The Standard-Times, New Bedford, MA, November 13, p. B1
•    “Latino de Oro: 5 Years of Rewarding Excellence,” Identidad Latina, Hartford, CT, November 5 – 18, p. 13
•    “Se entregaron los Latinos de Oro 2009: Noche de Fiesta en Hartford,” [Golden Latino 2009 Awarded: Party Night in Hartford], Identidad Latina, Hartford, CT, November 16
•    “Balam Soto: Un Artista Tecnològico,” [Balam Soto: Technological Artist] La Capiusa, Guatemala City, Guatemala, Oct., pp.24 - 25
•    “Balam Soto,” Javier Estrada Tobar, La Hora, Guatemala City, Guatemala, October 26
•    “Ya estàn los Ganadores del L atino de Oro 2009,” [Here are the Winners of the 2009 Golden Latino] Identidad Latina, Hartford, CT, Oct.
•    “Guatemalan Artist Featured in Pennsylvania Art Museum,” ArtAntigua, Antigua, Guatemala, October 5
•    Andrew Taylor, The View, Las Vegas, NV, October
•    “Parkville Thrives on Cultural Diversity,” Andy Hart, Parkville, Hartford, CT, October, p. 1
•    “Things To Do In Scranton When You’re Dead,” Michael Lello, The Weekender, Wilkes-Barre, PA, September 26
•    “Artista Maya expondrá su obra en Las Vegas,” [Mayan Artist Will Exhibit His Artwork in Las Vegas], El Mundo, Las Vegas, NV, Sept. 19, p. C9
•    “Artista Maya expondrà su obra en Las Vegas” [Mayan Artist Will Exhibit His Artwork in Las Vegas], El Mundo, Las Vegas, NV, Sept. 19, p. C9
•    “Hoy abre exposiciòn de Balam Soto” [Balam Soto Exhibit Opens Today], Prensa Libre, Guatemala City, Guatemala, August 8, p.51
•    “Guatemalan Dignitaries Join Mayor Cicilline at Art Opening at Providence City Hall,” Providence City News, Providence, RI, July 23, P.4
•    “Guatemala’s Vice Minister, Consul General in RI Today for Art Event with Mayor Cicilline,” New England Ethnic News, Providence, RI, July 21
•    “Balam Soto Exhibit,” Poder WPMZ 1110, Providence, RI, July 21
•    “Raices mayas, tecnologìa moderna,” [Maya Roots, Modern Technology], Jaime Barrios Carrillo, Siglo 21 Magacìn, Guatemala City, Guatemala, June 21, p.10
•    “Exposiciòn del artista Balam Soto,” [Balam Soto Exhibits], Identidad Latina, Hartford, CT, June 18 – July 1, p.19
•    “Students Learn Art First Hand,” The Hartford News, Hartford, CT, June 11 – 18, p.9
•    “Mayan Artist Balam Soto Re-creates His Origins,” The Hartford Courant I-Towns, May 17, p. H18
•    “El final del mundo o un nuevo renacer?” [The End of the World or a New Beginning?], Amanda May, El Registro, New Haven, CT, May 15 – 21, cover and pp. 6 - 7
•    “Balam Soto: A Great Guatemalan Artist,” Barbara Schieber, The Guatemala Times, April 23

2008 Press Coverage

Television and Radio Interviews
•    “Viva Hartford,” Joyce Bolanos, Hartford Public Access, Hartford, CT, December 7, Included segment and interview on “Ancestors: A Day of the Dead Celebration”
•    “The Dynamics of a Great Relationship #2 / Interview Balam Soto,” People, Places and Perspectives: www.blogtalkradio.com,  September 14, New York, NY

Newspaper, Magazine and Internet Articles
•    “Maestro Balam Soto: Modern Thinking, Modern Art,” Lisa Mikulski, Ink Magazine, Connecticut, November, pp. 38 – 47
•    “Balam Soto,” Taryn Plumb, Artscope Magazine, Quincy, MA,  November/December,
pp. 48 – 49
•    “Subasta de arte de pintores locales a beneficio de jòvenes,” [Art Auction of Art by Local Painters to Benefit Youth], Identidad Latina, Hartford, CT, December 3
•    Claudia Argueta, Nuestro Diario, Guatemala City, Guatemala, October  
•    “Artistas locales celebran el Dìa de los Muertos,” [Local Artists Celebrate the Day of the Dead], Amanda May, El Registro, New Haven, CT, Oct. 31 – Nov. 6, p.4
•    “Balam Soto: celebrando el Dìa de los Muertos,” [Balam Soto: Celebrating the Day of the Dead], Bessy Reyna, Identidad Latina, Hartford, CT, October 16 – 31, pp.1 & 21
•    “Maestro Balam Soto,” Lorena Mindiola de Gassner, Vida en Connecticut, Hartford, CT, Summer, p. 30
•    Video interview of Balam, Tomaca Govan, Dance with Life Magazine
•    “El Maestro en su casa, Balam Soto, espíritu del jaguar,” [The Maestro in His Home, Balam Soto, Spirit of the Jaguar], Medardo Arias Satizabal, Identidad Latina, Hartford, CT, May 16 – 31, pp.1 & 7
•    “Artista Balam Soto recibe reconocimiento de ‘Maestro’,” [Artist Balam Soto Receives Recognition as ‘Maestro’], Bessy Reyna, Identidad Latina, Hartford, CT, May 16–31, p. 7
•    “Balam Soto, pintor que pinta sus raíces,” [Balam Soto, A Painter Who Paints His Roots], Claudia Argueta, Nuestro Diario, Guatemala City, Guatemala, May 12, p. 22
•    “Pintor guatemalateco Balam Soto abre las puertas de su estudio,” [Guatemalan Painter Balam Soto Opens the Doors of His Studio], Amanda May, El Registro, New Haven, CT, May 2 – 8, p.13
•    “Guatemala Comes to Hartford,” The Hartford News, Hartford, CT, May 1 – 8, p.12
•    “Balam Soto: pinta su èxito en Estados Unidos,” [Balam Soto: Paints His Success in the United States] Edwin Reyes, La Voz del Imigrante, Guatemala City, March 3, p. 1
•    “And Here They Come! The Beautiful Joomla! V1.5 Websites- Here is Balam Soto,” Amy Stephen, Opensourcecommunity.org, January

2004 - 2007 Press Coverage

Television and Radio Interviews
2007    
•    “Salu2 Nueva Inglaterra,” Telemundo, Hartford, CT
•    “Viva Hartford,” Joyce Bolanos, Hartford Public Access, Connecticut, Interview at Pump House Gallery exhibit
2006    
•    “Viva Hartford,” Joyce Bolanos, Hartford Public Access, Connecticut, Interview at “Interwoven 2” exhibit
2005    
•    “Asi es Guatemala,” Brenda Chacon, Channel 35, New York, NY (two interviews)
•    “Fiestas de mi Tierra,” Carlos Rivers, Radio International, Boston, MA
•    “America Canta,” Supermax Radio Station, Hartford, CT

Newspaper, Magazine and Internet Articles
2007        
•    “Las obras de Balam Soto vendràn a Nueva York,” [The Artwork of Balam Soto is Coming to New York], Carmen Villavicencio, 24 Horas, New York, NY, October 4, p. 9
•    “The Art of a Tribute,” Shana Sureck, The Hartford Courant, Hartford, CT, Oct. 23, p.B3
•    “To Learn by Doing,” Shana Sureck, The Hartford Courant, Hartford, CT, May 2, p.B3
•    “Connecticut celebra Mes de la Herencia Hispana con mùsica y arte,” [Connecticut Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with Music and Art], Olga Vèlez, Registro, New Haven, CT, September 25 - 27, Cover and pp. 12 - 13
•    “Pinceladas ancestrales y aires de modernidad conviven en la pintura de Balam Soto, artista hispano de Hartford,” [Ancestral Paintbrushes and Modern Art Together in the Art of Balam Soto, Hispanic Artist in Hartford], Alejandro Alvarez, Registro, New Haven, CT, July 3 – 5, Cover and pp. 6 - 7
2006    
•    “Greatness with Brushes,” Shana Surek, The Hartford Courant, Hartford, CT Jul 28, p.B1
•    “Local Artists Give Time, Get Space at Union Station,” Melissa Pionzo, The Hartford Courant, Hartford, CT March 18, B3, B4
•    “Colectivo ‘Matica Arts’ y su multifacètica expresión artìstica,” [The ‘Matica Arts’ Collective and its Multifaceted Artistic Expression], Juan Brito, La Voz Hispana,  Hartford, CT, November 9 – 16, p.18
•    “Pintor Nahual Balam Soto, un talento en Connecticut,” [Painter Balam Soto, a Talent in Connecticut], Bessy Reyna, Identidad Latina, Hartford, CT, October 16 – 31, p. 17
•    “No.mad Exhibit Finds Home,” Greater Hartford News, Hartford, CT, October 4 – 11, p. 1
•    “Cuatro jòvenes artistas hispanos presentaron su arte en la exposición ‘Interwoven’, en Hartford,” [Four Young Hispanic Artists Presented Their Art in the Exhibition ‘Interwoven, in Hartford], Jonathan Muñoz, Registro, New Haven, CT April 11 – 13, p. 8
•    “Arte Latino en Hartford,” [Latino Art in Hartford], Elaine Rosales, Identidad Latina, Hartford, CT April 16 – 30, p. 20
2005    
•    “Lleva impregnado en las venas el arte maya,” [Carrying the Mayan Art in His Veins] Fred Rodas, The News Herald, Morganton, NC, December
•    “Working for Peace and Finding Love", Anne M. Hamilton, The Hartford Courant, Hartford, CT September 4, Life Section H2
•    “Balam Soto: Tangible Spirituality”, Artis, West Hartford, CT, August p.18
•    "Meet the Artist Featuring Balam Soto", Stacey Yopp, Hartford Undercurrent, Hartford, CT, March, p. 6
2004    
•    "Local Artist Preserves and Re-interprets Mayan Art Forms", Sharon DiGioia-Daskal, Wethersfield Life, West Hartford, CT, March, pp. 36 – 7, 39
•    “Resident Displays Colorful Artwork,” Brian Woodman, Wethersfield Post, Wethersfield, CT May 21, p.1

Professional Credits

2005 – pres    Owner, Balam Soto Studio, Hartford, CT
•    Fine artist and Technology expert
•    Web Developer for www.balam.us
Technology credentials:
•    MCSA Certification
•    A+ Certification
•    Network + Certification
•    UNIX OS, FREEBSD, LINUX OS Administration

Public and Museum Collections

Artists Collective, Hartford, CT
Connecticut Historical Society Museum, Hartford, CT
City of Hartford, Connecticut, Pope Park Community Center
Cross-Cultural Academy of Arts and Technology, Hartford, CT
Guatemala Consulate, Rhode Island
Hartford Public Library, Hartford, CT
Montessori School of Greater Hartford, West Hartford, CT
Office of Cultural Affairs for the City of Hartford, CT