Artwork copyright Heleodoro Heras. Photo courtesy of the artist.

El Mercado (The Market Place), 1994

Heleodoro Heras
American Mexican (born 1944)

Location: Manitou Elementary, Tacoma

About the Artwork

El Mercado (The Market Place) is a richly detailed and realist painting by artist Heleodoro Heras. The imagery depicts an open-air market filled with vendors, shoppers, and a wide variety of fruits, goods, and daily staples. These markets are common in Latin America, and the artist notes "I enjoy going to the mercado. There is so much to see, and lots of exciting colors; and of course, so much to eat."

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Tacoma Public Schools.

About the Artist

Heleodoro Heras is a Washington-based artist and illustrator. Born in Mexico, Heras emigrated to America as a teenager and graduated from Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles after military service. His realistic portraits and figurative paintings are inspired by frequent visits to Mexico.