Distinguished Artist, Soraida Martinez, Chosen by Curator of Hardy Family 5th Annual Art Show to Exhibit Original Verdadism Paintings With Works of International Artists, Fernando Botero

Distinguished Artist, Soraida Martinez, Chosen by Curator of Hardy
Family 5th Annual Art Show to Exhibit Original Verdadism Paintings
With Works of Other International Artists: Fernando Botero, Burton
Morris, Howard Behrens, Bobbie Carlyle, Claudia Olds Goldie, Ranna,
and Gene Trindl

Soraida will be among 8 renowned artists and sculptors who have been
invited to exhibit their works-of-art at the 5th Annual Hardy Family
Art Exhibition. The artwork will be on display for approximately 6
months and a portion of all sales benefit the Arts of Western
Pennsylvania, including organizations like The State Theater.

Since 1992, Soraida has been known for creating Verdadism, a socially
conscious art style wherein all paintings are accompanied by a written
social commentary. The Verdadism painting genre is a form of Hard Edge
Abstract Expressionism and consists of two distinct, yet integral
parts: the visual component and the written commentary. Soraida
created the word Verdadism by combining the Spanish word for truth
(Verdad) and the English suffix for theory (ism). Some of the issues
addressed through the art of Verdadism include racism, sexism,
stereotyping, sibling relationships, personal soul searching and
universal human conditions. Soraida is also the author of a book on
Verdadism, Soraida's Verdadism: The Intellectual Voice of A Puerto
Rican Woman on Canvas; Unique, Controversial Images and Style.

The Verdadism artwork chosen for this exhibition includes "The Terror
of Demasking Oneself," a painting about the fear of revealing one's
truth self. Plus, these Verdadism paintings: "Not Knowing Which Way to
Go," "Between Two Islands," "Piano Man: The Survival of Hope,"
"Self-Effacing Woman," "I Found It Hard to Be An Individual," "Feeling
The Espanola, Africana and Taina in Me," "When Money Gets Ugly,"
"Turning 40," "Guitar Player: A Symbol of Hope," and "La Vida Es Dura
Para Una Mujer Como Yo."

This exhibition runs from May 1, 2004 until October 31, 2004 at
Nemacolin Woodlands Resort & Spa, Farmington, Pennsylvania. An opening
reception, with a silent auction and dinner dance will be held on
Saturday, May 1st from 6-9PM. For reservations to the private
reception and auction, call 1-800-422-2736. For information on Soraida
and the art of Verdadism, visit www.soraida.com.