Carlos Loarca, originally from Guatemala, has been painting since 1964. His work blends elements of Mayan myth into an exploration of abstraction. The power of his images unfold from a palette of chromatic vigor onto landscapes of heroic scale. His work is visceral and direct. He has exhibited internationally, most recently at the Biennale in Florence, Italy. His works are in the permanent collections of the Contemporary Art Museum in Monterey, CA, The Triton Museum in Santa Clara, CA, The Mexican Museum in San Francisco, San Francisco General Hospital, San Francisco International Airport and numerous private collections. Mr. Loarca has worked for San Francisco's Community Cultural Centers since 1983 and is currently Gallery Director at SomArts. This special exhibition is an example of the role played by The San Francisco Art Commission's Community Cultural Centers in celebrating San Francisco's diverse population and presenting the richness of our many cultural traditions. As SomArts Gallery Director Mr. Loarca has selected and presented hundreds of artists and exhibitions. He has reached out to every corner of San Francisco. We are proud to honor him and his work.