Seven HOLA (Heart of Los Angeles) students have come to be known as La Banda de Los Siete. They have gravitated naturally toward each other to form an art club that has met and worked together on Saturday afternoons for the past three years in the HOLA art studio. They also take printmaking, painting, and drawing classes throughout the week from the amazing art faculty.

The group consists of Javier Carrillo, Maria Galicia, Ana Baranda, Emmanuel Galvez, Juan Correa, Axel Oliva and Peter Meitzenheimer. They are each unique and accomplished artists, but their ability to help and support each other is why they have been selected as a collective. They are friends and colleagues who tease and push each other to make better work. They are truly the La Banda de Los Siete; a society of young artists.

The strength and beauty of their work speaks for itself. La Banda de Los Siete is not an exclusive club, but a starting point. It will soon grow to be Banda de Veinte.

Ana Baranda is in the prestigious Mentor Program at Santa Monica College. Her recent works can be seen in the current Lucha Libre - Las Leyendas del Ring exhibit in our El Corazon Gallery. Her work tends to explore the role of a variety of women in society and the mythic qualities they tend to inhabit, from cholas to luchadoras.

"I paint and draw because art is a need I have to fulfill, just as a person needs nourishment and shelter to live happily. I paint because I need to paint. I don't know anything else that enlightens and challenges me."
- Ana Baranda

Javier Carrillo has recently returned from completing a residency and exhibit at Georgia College and State University. His was the first one-person show in our El Corazon Gallery. For a young artist, he presents a mature choice of colors in his work.

"All the work I create is based on my life. Doing these paintings gives me an opportunity to express myself and let others see my works, see who I am. It all started with a pencil and paper."
- Javier Carrillo