Wo we are

We are a group of Latino/Hispanic parents and members of the community who want to promote our culture to the younger generation by offering programs, activities and workshops in which we teach our traditions, so they learn about our culture and explore our history. We encourage Latino youth to practice and use the Spanish language. We want to create a sense of wholeness to better develop each person's self-esteem and pride in their cultural heritage by learning about their roots and their country. We hope to integrate Latino culture with Kentucky's cultural heritage.

Website: www.casadelaculturaky.org

Megan studied Irish dance for nearly 20 years in the Washington, D.C., area with the Culkin School of Traditional Irish Dance; began teaching adult students and teams more than 15 years ago; and achieved TMRF certification with the Irish dancing commission in 2010.
Being an active part of our community is part of who they are. With classes offered through Lexington Parks and Recreation, they are committed to providing affordable access to Irish dance in Central Kentucky. Being active in the community is also important. Megan serves on the board of directors as the president of the Bluegrass Irish Society and chair of the Lexington St. Patrick’s Parade.
The Bluegrass Ceili Academy is dedicated to promoting traditional Irish dance by providing a supportive learning environment for dancers of all ages and skill levels.
More info at www.bluegrassceili.com

Originally from Córdoba Veracruz, Mexico; America Dominicci arrived to Kentucky in 2004. Three years ago after winning the Miss Kentucky Latina Gay pageant, she started to perform regularly and started a new chapter of her life. “I love to dance, make money and enjoy life. Being up on stage and hearing the applauses from the audience is very exciting” she says.America says she is grateful for her mother’s support and for her backup dancers who are always there for her: Gabo Zacamitzin, Santos Chavez, Ignacio Guevara, Tete Reyes, Manuel Diaz, Edgar Valdez y Vidal Guevara.

Dr. Aardra Kachroo is the president of the Bluegrass Indo-American Civic Society (BIACS). She has been a resident of Lexington, KY since 2003. She is a professor in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment at the University of Kentucky.
Founded in 1988, BIACS (a 501c3 non-profit) provides people of Indian heritage and other interested members a platform to engage in civic and charitable activities in the Bluegrass Region. Consistent with its charter, over the years, BIACS has spearheaded or participated in a variety of social, educational, cultural, charitable and civic activities within the Bluegrass Region.
Two marquee events that the society has spearheaded since its inception are a scholarship awards banquet and a free health fair. At the awards banquet, BIACS awards cash scholarships to college bound high school graduates of many different ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds from throughout the state of Kentucky.

Website: www.biacs.org

Lakshmi Sriraman was born in India. After completing her Masters in Mathematics, she immigrated to the U.S. to pursue higher studies. She graduated with a MBA from the University of Texas at El Paso.
Lakshmi founded and Directs Sheree Dance Studio.
Shree is dedicated to promoting excellence in the practice of Bharatanatyam in each and every student.
Towards this end, the classes are designed to strengthen the body and focus the mind.
Lakshmi is also and accomplished visual artist.
Website: www.lakshmisstudio.com

Jenny Fitzpatrick grew up in Scottsville, Kentucky, and at the age of 4 began training in ballet, tap, and jazz with Kathy Wise-Leonard at Dance Images of Bowling Green, KY. She received her B.F.A. in Theatre Performance from the University of Kentucky in 2006.
In 2007 Jenny moved to LA in California where she worked as a professional for MTV and Dragonfly Productions in live performances with Pink and Dance It off Ballroom: Dance off the Inches. She was the tap and hip hop instructor for the Burbank School of Ballet and directed and choreographed High School Musical for the National Enrichment Teacher’s Association, Inc.
Jenny launched Blackbird Dance Theatre with her original production of The Great Gray. Since then, she has become the Artistic Director of her own studio and company. Blackbird houses a Jr. Company made up of students ranging in ages 4-18 and a Sr. Company of adult dancers, all who study in ballet, jazz, contemporary, tap, hip hop, and acting principals.
Website: www.blackbirddancetheatre.com

The Polynesian dance studio Kalei Apikai was founded by Claudia Ochoa. Claudia was born in Mexico City, Mexico. She study education at the Pedagogical University of Mexico. She began her career as a dancer from a very young age, studying at “Luis Espota culture house". She study ballroom dance styles such as: mambo, chacha, charleston, danzon, twits, salsa , cumbia, among others. She also began to study Polynesian dance at the age of 6, Hawaiian, Tahitian, Samoan. In her career As a dancer she won several awards. She has been in The Groups, Tahura Ori ha de Nora Ramos, Claudia Aguilar's Kalukia poerava and professionally in Alejandra Acosta's Tamariki Kahaia Group, with whom she had the opportunity to travel and represent Mexico in some of the Polynesian events in the USA.
Today, Claudia is transmitting her knowledge here in Lexington as a dance instructor and choreographer for Casa de la Cultura de Ky and as a dance Director of the Polynesian dance studio Kalei Apikai.
Facebook page Kalei Apikai

Shuling Fister is a Chinese dance choreographer and modeling instructor.
She is also a Kentucky Arts Council (KAC) teaching and performing artist. Shuling has had a passion for dance all of her life. She received her dance training from professional instructors in China and continues her dance development with dance masters and professors by traveling to China. She also studied modern and western dances at the University of Kentucky (UK) Department of Theatre and Dance and performed at the inaugurate dance concert and at American College Dance Festival.
“As an ethnic dance choreographer and educator, I love to illustrate a story through Chinese dance and make a connection across cultures and pass the emotion and joy to western audiences. To bring the history of several dynasties to life, the creative process is always challenging and exciting.” Shuling Fister
Info at www.shulingstudio.com

Victor Palomino is an exhibiting artist and performing musician originally from Colombia. He is the Program Director of WLXL 95.7FM (RadioLex). He comes to Lexington Community Radio by way of Asheville, NC where he pioneered the first-ever Spanish-segment radio in the state at Mountain Area Information Network (MAIN 103.5). Most recently Victor hosted a weekly Spanish news show, La Radio, as part of Asheville Free Media, and covered news and sports for the Hispanic community paper La Noticia. Victor is also a seasoned community advocate and organizer. He developed content for the Carolina Western Women’s Business Center, directed education and outreach at the West North Carolina AIDS program, created computer class materials for young mothers at the Latino Advocacy Coalition, and served as multi-media director for the Teatro Latino de Asheville.

Website: www.radiolex.us

              www.vaptart.com

Artist's Statement:

To me, art has always been very personal, a way to communicate an impression or a feeling with others. I am inspired by relationships between people and things, like family, nature, and biology.

I work in many mediums - felting, printmaking and alcohol ink paintings. I received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with an area of emphasis in printmaking from Murray State University, Murray, KY. After graduation I moved to Lexington, KY, where I create art in my home studio.

You can find my work at the Artisan Center at Berea, Berea, KY, indigenous: a handmade gallery, Cincinnati, OH, various art markets and exhibits and my Etsy shop, Studio Lucina.

Website: www.tonyavance.com

Kiptoo was born in Nairobi, Kenya in 1984. He obtained a B.A at The University of Nairobi for Design, majoring in Illustration in 2008. He worked for a Bank in Nairobi until 2011, I then established a Graphic Design Company, King Concepts. He went on to study Sculpture at The University of Kentucky. His works have been featured at a number of galleries including Kentucky Museum of Arts and Crafts, The Lyric Theater and Cultural Arts Center, The Headley Whitney Museum, Arts Place, The Lexington Art League and many more.

“I see liminality as a phase in social life in which this confrontation between ‘activity which has no structure’ and its ‘structured results’ produces in men their highest pitch of self-consciousness” Victor Turner 1974 Neither African American nor American African, I straddle the uncomfortable tensions that exist “betwixt and between” white supremacist America and tribal Africa. 

www.kiptootarus.com

Mark  Royse is the General Manager/Executive Director of RadioLex. He comes from a diverse, creative background. He served as Executive Director of AVOL (AIDS Volunteers, Inc.) and has worked with a variety of other local non-profits including JustFundKY, LexArts, and Beaux-Arts Ball. He served as Director of Communications for the UK College of Design. He was formerly a creative director and most recently the business manager for Group CJ advertising. He was also a buyer and inventory manager for the J. Peterman Catalog made famous by Seinfeld. Mark is a graduate of the theatre program at the University of Kentucky and an alum of the Governor’s Scholar Program.

Website: ww.radiolex.us

Heidi McKenzie is a adaptable clothing designer. She graduated from Morehead State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Small Business Management and I was crowned Ms. Wheelchair Kentucky 2012 where I served as an advocate for those in wheelchairs traveling the US sharing her story.

Now, she serve as a board member for both Build Inclusion, Inc. and the Kentucky Congress on Spinal Cord Injury (KCSCI); work part time at my family’s business; peer mentor for new spinal cord injury patient at Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital/Easter Seals of the Bluegrass; and a member of Kentucky Appalachian Rural Rehabilitation Network (KARRN).

Website: www.alterurego.co

Esmeralda Cedillo is a mixed media artist with focused in textiles. Her work has been exhibited all around Kentucky. She uses her pieces to share her Mexican culture. She incorporates painting, hand embroidery, crocheting, weaving and even quilting into her pieces.    

Facebook: MCedillo

Victor Palomino is an exhibiting artist and performing musician originally from Colombia. He is the Program Director of WLXL 95.7FM (RadioLex). He comes to Lexington Community Radio by way of Asheville, NC where he pioneered the first-ever Spanish-segment radio in the state at Mountain Area Information Network (MAIN 103.5). Most recently Victor hosted a weekly Spanish news show, La Radio, as part of Asheville Free Media, and covered news and sports for the Hispanic community paper La Noticia. Victor is also a seasoned community advocate and organizer. He developed content for the Carolina Western Women’s Business Center, directed education and outreach at the West North Carolina AIDS program, created computer class materials for young mothers at the Latino Advocacy Coalition, and served as multi-media director for the Teatro Latino de Asheville.

Website: www.aptart.com

Amalia Galdona Broche is a Cuban-American artist currently a candidate for MFA in Art Studio, School of Art and Visual Studies, University of Kentucky. She obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art, with a concentration in Sculpture with a minor in Business Administration from Jacksonville University

Website: www.amaliagaldonabroche.com

Kentucky's #1 Female DJ by the Kentucky Association of Entertainers

Facebook page: @KYDJBombshell

Samantha is best known for her Kentucky shaped pillows, but she is quickly making a name for herself in the realm of recycled fashion. She is a two time winner of the local Dress for Success “Recycle the Runway” competition, where designers are challenged to create a runway look using only discarded garments. Her work has appeared in music videos, independent film, and on stage in NYC! 

Samantha is largerly rained but she did study  a  variety  of artistic  disciplines  at  Transylvania  University  and  Pontifical  Catholic  University  of Peru including  painting, collage, mural design, multi-media sculpture, and ceramics.

Website:  www.mococolex.com

Josh Samples is a nationally acclaimed Garden and Floral Designer. He study Horticulture at University of Kentucky. After being away for some time, Josh moved back to London, Kentucky and created Oak Hill Gardens event space; hosting wedding and special events.

He has a passion for creating, he cares about the environment and about making a positive impact.

Website: www.ohgevents.com

Ronald D. Gosses has lived in Denver, Colorado, Cincinnati, Ohio, Toronto, Canada, Yarmouth, Maine, Bowling Green, Ohio and Richmond, Kentucky. Both his parents were artistic, so his involvement in art was natural and early in his development. 

A childhood accident left Gosses unable to see in three-dimension, and although it never affected his career as a designer, it did influence his early expressionistic paintings. Recently, Gosses has been able to see air and depth for the first time in years; and his latest paintings are abstract, and dramatically reflect this new view of the world.

Website  www.ronaldgosses.com