Artwork copyright Juan Alonso-Rodríguez. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Juan Alonso-Rodríguez. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

To the Rhythm of the Conga Drum, 1990

Juan Alonso-Rodríguez
(Cuban, born 1956)

Location: Adams Elementary School, Yakima

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

Juan Alonso-Rodríguez's painting To the Rhythm of the Conga Drum is part of his "Dancing at the Drop of a Hat" series. This piece is inspired by the artist's memories of his early childhood in Cuba. It portrays "a brightly dressed musician overjoyed and taken by the dancing beat he is creating for himself and his audience."

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Yakima School District.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Juan Alonso-Rodríguez creates paintings, drawings, and sculptures in his studio and for public spaces. He notes "As a believer that art has the ability and artists the responsibility to inspire social well-being, I welcome balance between the introspection necessary to formulate ideas in the solitude of the studio and the gift of sharing some of the benefits with society."
Alonso-Rodríguez was born in Havana, Cuba and moved to Miami, Florida with his aunt and uncle at age ten. He was based in Seattle for forty years, from 1982 to 2022. He is an activist for social justice and inclusion in the arts. In 2019, he was honored with a Washington State Governor's Arts and Heritage Award. He served on the Seattle Arts Commission and the Seattle Public Art Advisory Committee.