Balam Soto
New Media Artist
Interactive Art Installations | Murals | Video | Performance
Honors and Awards
2011
• Received citation from the Governor of Rhode Island
2010
• Winner of “Editor’s Choice” Award at New York Maker Faire, NY Hall of Science Museum, Queens, NY
• Recipient of the Hartford Arts & Heritage Jobs Grant, Hartford, Connecticut
• Massachusetts Governor and Lt. Governor presented “Governor’s Citation”
• Attleboro, Massachusetts Mayor presented “Certificate of Recognition”
• Solidarity Chapina Foundation presented “Certificate of Recognition”
2009
• Golden Latino Award for Arts & Culture in Connecticut
o City of Hartford Mayor 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”
• Co-recipient of a project grant from the Westchester Arts Council, White Plains, NY
• Guatemalan Consul in Rhode Island presented official thank you for Balam’s support
• Rhode Island Governor “Extends His Greetings and Appreciation”
2008
• Guatemalan National Congress awarded a “Diploma of Recognition” and the title of “Maestro,” [Master Artist]
• Guatemalan Cultural Office in New York presented award for Balam's “outstanding artistic career in the visual arts”
• Guatemalan Consul in New York sent a “Diploma of Recognition”
2006 Scholarship Recipient, Arte Inc., New Haven, CT
2005 October Artist of the Month, Liquitex Artist Materials
Solo Exhibitions
2011
• "time analysis", Pump House Gallery, Hartford, CT
2010
• “Digital Transition” Augusta Savage Gallery, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA
• Guatemala Consulate, Providence, RI
• “Re.invent”
o West Charleston Library, Las Vegas, NV, 2010
o Sahara West Library, Las Vegas, NV, 2009
• “Immigrant”, Hartford Public Library, Hartford, CT
2009
• “e-voluciòn: del arte guatemalteco” [“e-volution: of guatemalan art”] Miraflores Museum, Guatemala City, Guatemala
• “2012 Interact” Colo-Colo Gallery, New Bedford, MA
• “Guatemalan Art Beyond Borders” City Hall, Providence, RI
• Guatemalan Consulate, Providence, RI
• “Tzolkin 0.1: An Interactive Exploration of the Mayan Calendar” Charter Oak Cultural Center, Hartford, CT
• “Tzolkin 0.1: Version 2” Director’s Gallery, Hartford, CT
2008
• “Solo: Myth 0.1”, Colo Colo Gallery, New Bedford, MA
• “Origins”, Latins in the Borough Art Gallery, Stonington, CT
• Hartford Hospital Gallery, Hartford, CT
• “Perceptual,” Director’s Gallery, Hartford, CT
2007
• “Ofrenda 2: A Day of the Dead Installation,” Hartford Public Library, Hartford, CT
• “A Rainforest of Color,” The Art Station, Hartford, CT
2006
• “Ancient Voices,” ETC Gallery, Hartford, CT
• “Mystic Within,” Pegasus Gallery, Middlesex Community College, Middletown,CT
• “Realms of Color,” Exposure Ltd., Manchester, CT
2005
• “Cultural Spirit”, Director’s Gallery, Hartford, CT
• "Mysticism," Charter Oak Cultural Center, Hartford, CT
• La Paloma Sabanera, Hartford, CT
• Webster Bank, New Haven, CT
• Kafe, New Haven, CT
2004 "Fifth Sun," Wethersfield Public Library, Wethersfield, CT
1998 "Misticismo," DeSales Hall Ballroom, Hartford, CT
Group Exhibitions
2011
• "Day of the Dead", El Museo del Barrio, New York, NY
• "Maker Faire", New York Hall of Science Museum, Queens, NY
• "Strata Mini Maker Faire" Strata Conference: Making Data Work, New York Hilton, New York, NY
• FILE - Electronic Language International Festival, SESI Art Gallery, Sao Paulo, Brazil
• "Flip the Switch: A Night of Music, Media and Mayhem", 3LD Arts and Technology Center, Manhattan, NY
• "Phoenix Art After Hours", Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, Hartford, CT
• "Billboard Art Project", Route 222, Reading, PA
• "Future Tense Billboards", Hartford, CT Billboard
• "Traveling State: Celebrating Diversity of Art", Warwick Museum of Art, Warwick, RI
• "The 10th State Latin American Visual Arts Exhibit", Atrium Gallery, Providence, RI
• Connecticut Cinematic Celebration, Real Art Ways, Hartford, CT
• "Celebramos: A Latino Community Exhibition", City Hall, Providence, RI
• UCONN Law School, Hartford, CT
• Open Studio Hartford, annual participation since 2004
2010
• “Subversive Manipulations of Technology”, aluCine Latin Media Festival, Toronto, Canada
• “Art and Technology Corridor at the Three Rivers Arts Festival” Pittsburgh Technology Council, Pittsburgh, PA
• “Maker Faire,” The New York Hall of Science Museum, Queens, NY
• Guatemala Consul, Los Angeles, CA
• “Celebrating Diversity” Attleboro Museum, Attleboro, MA
• “3er Mayan Festival” Queens Museum of Art, Queens, NY
• “Immigrants’ Art Exhibit”
o CUNY Law School, Queens, NY, 2010
o Shore Institute of the Contemporary Arts, Long Branch, NJ, 2010
o Rio II Gallery, New York, NY, 2009
o Arts Horizons LeRoy Neiman Art Center, New York, NY, 2009
o Suffolk County Community College, Long Island, NY, 2009
o American Friends Service Committee, Newark, NJ, 2009
o South Ocean Art Gallery, Freeport, NY, 2009
• “Alive with History” Connecticut Historical Society Museum, Hartford, CT, since 2006
• “Customs and Traditions of Guatemala” Westchester Arts Council Gallery, White Plains, NY
• “ Multicultural Expressions” Farmington Library, Farmington, CT
• “Global Online Event” Interactive online group show located on facebook.com
2009
• “AmericAura”
o Centre Cultural, Brussels, Belgium, 2009
o Teatro Cesare Volta (digital images), Pavia, Italy, 2009
o “AfricAura”, National Library of Cameroon, Yaounde, Cameroon, West Africa, 2008
o Augusta Savage Gallery, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 2007
• “Day of the Dead: Art and Culture in the Americas” Everhart Museum of Natural History, Science & Art, Scranton, PA
• “Media Fluid, Art and Technology” Queens Museum of Art, Queens, NY
• “Media Lounge, Art and Technology” Room 404 Media, Brooklyn, NY
• “Sensorial” Colo-Colo Gallery, New Bedford, MA
• “Something Old- Something New”, 8TH Annual State Latin American Visual Arts Exhibit Atrium Gallery, Providence, RI
• “Museum After Dark Summer Art Auction”, New Britain Museum of American Art, New Britain, CT
• Farmington Valley Arts Center, Avon, CT 2006 - 2009
2008
• “Hispanic Heritage Art Show, Elmhurst Hospital, Queens, NY, Curated by the Queens Museum of Art
• “Ancestors: A Day of the Dead Celebration”, Institute for Community Research, Hartford, CT, Organized and curated by Balam Soto
• "The Latin Perpective... a touch of Contemporary Art," New Brit. Art League, New Britain, CT, Curated by Latins in the Borough Art Gallery
• “Forgeries,” Charter Oak Cultural Center, Hartford, CT, Art auction fundraiser
• “Menage A7,” New Haven, CT
2007
• "Interwoven," ArtSpace Gallery, Hartford, CT, Curated, organized and participated in by Balam Soto
o 2007: “Interwoven 3: Avant-Garde”
o 2006: “Interwoven 2”
o 2005: “Interwoven: Cultural Identity of 3 Latino Artists”
• "Mùsica! Mùsica! Mùsica”, Arte Inc., New Haven, CT
• The Pump House, Hartford, CT
• Farmington Unity Day Cultural Festival, Farmington, CT
• “Apartment # __ ,” ArtSpace Gallery, Hartford, CT
• “Ofrendas: A Day of the Dead Celebration,” Hartford Public Library, Hartford, CT, Organized, curated and participated in by Balam Soto
2006
• “no.mad,” Park Street, Hartford, CT
• “Ancestral Spirits,” Director’s Gallery, Hartford, CT
• “Inaugural Opening,” The Art Station, Hartford, CT
• “Holiday Show,” Farmington Valley Arts Center, Farmington, CT
• “Jazz Up the House,” Hartford, CT
2005
• "Through the Eyes of Culture and Tradition," Capitol Community College, Hartford, CT
• “Dia de los Muertos,” Rocking Horse Cafe, New York, NY
• “Winter Treasures,” Exposure Ltd. Art & Framing, Manchester, CT
• 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
• City Store, Hartford, CT
1991 University of San Carlos, Guatemala City, Guatemala
Performances
2010
• “Subversive Manipulations of Technology”, aluCine Latin Media Festival, Toronto, Canada, Celebrated Latino Artists' use of Art and Technology
• “Subversive Manipulations of Technology”, Billings Forge, Hartford, CT, Sponsored by The Office of Cultural Affairs for the City of Hartford
• “The Circuit: Beta Version”, The Tank, New York City, NY
• Attleboro Museum, Attleboro, MA
Public Works
2010
• Westchester Arts Council and HAGUA, Port Chester, NY
2008
• Office of Cultural Affairs for the City of Hartford, CT
2007
• Montessori School of Greater Hartford, West Hartford, CT
• Artists Collective, Hartford, CT
• Hartford Public Library and the Coalition to Strengthen the Sheldon/Charter Oak Neighborhood, Hartford, CT
• Office of Cultural Affairs for the city of Hartford, CT
2006
• Hartford Public Library and the Coalition to Strengthen the Sheldon/Charter Oak Neighborhood, Hartford, CT
• Cross-Cultural Academy of Arts and Technology, Hartford, CT
1993
• University of San Carlos, Guatemala City, Guatemala
Lectures and Gallery Talks
2010
• Queens Museum of Art, Queens, New York
• Classical Magnet School, Hartford, CT
2009
• Sahara West Library, Las Vegas, Nevada
• Greater Hartford Arts Academy, Hartford, CT
2008
• “A Review of Contemporary Central American Art and its Anthropological Roots,” Latins in the Borough Art Gallery, Stonington, CT
2007
• New Britain Art League, New Britain, CT
• “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
• “Natives”, Department of Health and Human Services, Hartford, CT
• Capital Community College, Hartford, CT
• Charter Oak Cultural Center, Hartford, CT
2004 Lecture, Wethersfield Art League, Wethersfield, CT
Collections
• Artists Collective, Hartford, Connecticut
• Connecticut Historical Society Museum, Hartford, Connecticut
• City of Hartford, Connecticut, Pope Park Community Center
• Cross-Cultural Academy of Arts and Technology, Hartford, Connecticut
• Guatemala Consulate, Rhode Island
• HAGUA, Port Chester, New York
• Hartford Public Library, Hartford, Connecticut
• Montessori School of Greater Hartford, West Hartford, Connecticut
• Office of Cultural Affairs for the City of Hartford, Connecticut
• Patrimonio Art Collection, Government of Guatemala
Press Coverage
2010
Television Interview
• “Viva Hartford,” Joyce Bolanos, Hartford Public Access, Hartford, CT, June
• “Post Latino TV”, Carlos Masias and Maria Lino, Telemundo, Hartford, CT, May 6
Newspaper Articles
• Upcoming article, Carlos Masias and Maria Lino, Post Latino, Hartford, CT, May
• Upcoming article, Maria Amado, Westchester Hispano, White Plains, NY, May
2009
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
• Video interview on leafpile.tv
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
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
2007
Television and Radio Interviews
• “Salu2 Nueva Inglaterra,” Telemundo, Hartford, CT
• “Viva Hartford,” Joyce Bolanos, Hartford Public Access, Connecticut, Interview at Pump House Gallery exhibit
Newspaper, Magazine and Internet Articles
• “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
Television and Radio Interviews
• “Viva Hartford,” Joyce Bolanos, Hartford Public Access, Connecticut, Interview at “Interwoven 2” exhibit
Newspaper, Magazine and Internet Articles
• “Greatness with Brushes,” Shana Surek, The Hartford Courant, Hartford, CT Jul 28, p.B1
• “Local Artists Give Time, Get Space at 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
2005
Television and Radio Interviews
• “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
• “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
Newspaper, Magazine and Internet Articles
• “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
Newspaper, Magazine and Internet Articles
• "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
Balam combines art and technology to create works that explore the relationship between individuals, society and technology.