It’s easy to get comfortable in a place you’ve lived in for a long time. At a certain point, many St. James residents may find themselves thinking they know everyone and everything about their community, but the question is, Do they know Jorge Portillo?
Masquerading as a nightshift mechanic at the ConAgra plant, Jorge is, by day, easily one of the most talented artists this side of the Mason-Dixon Line. An immigrant from El Salvador, Jorge arrived in the United States at age seven in the illustrious city of Los Angeles where he lived with his family and studied art for 22 years before moving to St. James in October of 2008.
In Los Angeles, Jorge was employed by the city as an artist in residence at Macarthur Park, one of the most densely populated areas of the city. He worked for them for four years teaching youth art classes and painting various murals in the area, most notably, a mural painted for the mayor of Los Angeles.
He also served for two years in L.A. as the art director of the organization Y.E.S.S.S. (Youth Empowered through Sports, Scholarship, and Service) He notes that those two years completely changed his life and perspective. Being influenced at a very young age by his family, particularly his uncle, and his progressive environment, Jorge believes that cultural, as well as, political consciousness begins at a very young age. He hopes that in his own life, he may enrich the lives of young people through the power and liberation of art.
“You can relate anything to art,” Jorge says and believes it is the outlet many young people are looking for. Although he is a “rolling stone,” he plans to teach youth art classes again in the future, whether it be in our area or somewhere entirely new to him. In the meantime, he is enjoying learning the ways of a mechanic and spending time with his family that also reside here in St. James.
As the member of an immigrant family, Jorge notes that they don’t have many possessions to pass on through the generations. He hopes his artwork will not only be heirlooms to the succeeding members of his family, but also will enrich the lives of all who look upon them in the years to come. Read more in the Jan. 28 Plaindealer.
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It’s easy to get comfortable in a place you’ve lived in for a long time. At a certain point, many St. James residents may find themselves thinking they know everyone and everything about their community, but the question is, Do they know Jorge Portillo?
Masquerading as a nightshift mechanic at the ConAgra plant, Jorge is, by day, easily one of the most talented artists this side of the Mason-Dixon Line. An immigrant from El Salvador, Jorge arrived in the United States at age seven in the illustrious city of Los Angeles where he lived with his family and studied art for 22 years before moving to St. James in October of 2008.
In Los Angeles, Jorge was employed by the city as an artist in residence at Macarthur Park, one of the most densely populated areas of the city. He worked for them for four years teaching youth art classes and painting various murals in the area, most notably, a mural painted for the mayor of Los Angeles.
He also served for two years in L.A. as the art director of the organization Y.E.S.S.S. (Youth Empowered through Sports, Scholarship, and Service) He notes that those two years completely changed his life and perspective. Being influenced at a very young age by his family, particularly his uncle, and his progressive environment, Jorge believes that cultural, as well as, political consciousness begins at a very young age. He hopes that in his own life, he may enrich the lives of young people through the power and liberation of art.
“You can relate anything to art,” Jorge says and believes it is the outlet many young people are looking for. Although he is a “rolling stone,” he plans to teach youth art classes again in the future, whether it be in our area or somewhere entirely new to him. In the meantime, he is enjoying learning the ways of a mechanic and spending time with his family that also reside here in St. James.
As the member of an immigrant family, Jorge notes that they don’t have many possessions to pass on through the generations. He hopes his artwork will not only be heirlooms to the succeeding members of his family, but also will enrich the lives of all who look upon them in the years to come. Read more in the Jan. 28 Plaindealer.
