[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 136 (Friday, September 9, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1238]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            RECOGNIZING THE EXTRAORDINARY AUGUSTO BORDELOIS

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                           HON. MARCY KAPTUR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 9, 2016

  Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Augusto Bordelois, 
an internationally acclaimed artist who is opening a new art studio, 
Augusto Fine Art, in Berea, Ohio, this week.
  Augusto has a deep connection to Berea, as the city has been his home 
since 1999. Augusto Fine Art studio will establish a dedicated art 
space for the entire community, building Berea, brick by brick, in the 
same way Augusto creates his own artwork.
  At the new location Augusto will be teaching jointly with 
watercolorist Nancy Notarianni, who will also have a gallery in the 
Berea studio. His vision is to create a centralized space that will 
foster community and collaboration among local Cleveland-area artists 
who wish to teach or display their work, and by Cleveland-area 
residents who wish to connect with their artistic, creative side.
  Augusto, who emigrated from Cuba as a young man, describes his 
painting style as `magic realism' that has been largely influenced by 
the Renaissance, as is typical for prominent and gifted artists from 
Latin America and the Caribbean. He graduated from the University of 
Havana in Cuba, and has an inestimable and broad knowledge base that he 
is more than willing to share with others.
  Augusto is a natural and enthusiastic leader and an active member of 
the arts community in Northern Ohio, where he is a teaching artist and 
member of the Center for Arts-Inspired Learning, the Ohio Arts Council, 
and most recently The Art House. He has been awarded `Best in Show' and 
an Ohio Arts Council Special award at the Ohio State Fair Fine Arts 
exhibition.
  Through his leadership in judging Ohio's 9th Congressional District's 
annual Art Caucus competition for promising high school artists, I have 
been fortunate to witness firsthand his influence across Northern Ohio, 
and his passion for helping others reach their full potential. I 
greatly appreciate his efforts to continue fostering and promoting a 
growing art community. Augusto's passion has inspired resurgence in 
community art and, through the new Augusto Fine Art Studio, a 
dedication to increased access to community art spaces.
  Northern Ohio should have a minimum of 1,000 art studios across our 
lush region, which has a natural beauty and rich culture, and Augusto 
is a leader in reaching that goal.
  The arts have long been celebrated throughout northern Ohio, with 
each region hosting multiple arts festivals, in addition to the many 
small, locally owned shops that populate the region. From the Black 
Swamp Arts Festival in Bowling Green to the FireFish Arts Festival in 
Lorain, there are many opportunities to be immersed in the local 
northern Ohio art scene.
  I greatly admire Augusto Bordelois and celebrate his vision and 
legacy in northern Ohio. His unwavering dedication to teaching and 
promoting the arts has made a lasting mark.
  Please join me to congratulate and celebrate Augusto Bordelois on 
this exciting next phase.

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