Eduardo J. Padron Campus - Art Gallery

Xonia Diaz MBA, Postgraduate of Florida State University. Xonia retired from International Finance as SVP.  She started painting in 2016. Xonia has a passion for international travel and spending time with 5 her grandchildren. Painting is my meditation and expanding my horizons.

Ofelia Fernández aka “Ofelin”, born in Havana Cuba, she moved with her family to Miami in 1960.  She is a retired banker, attending MDC art classes with Professor and renowned artist Baruj Salinas for more than five years. 

Carlos E. Garcia, graduated from several educational institutions, such as Miami-Dade College with an associate degree, the University of Miami with a cum laude bachelor’s degree, and Florida International University with a master’s degree. As a certified public accountant, I have served in auditing and administrative positions in public accounting, private industry, and government.

Julio Montaner was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He is an Architect who graduated from Universidad de Buenos Aires in 1985 and revalidated at State of Florida. Once established in Miami, he took acrylic courses with a well-known instructor, Baruj Salinas. Thanks to him, Julio discovered this new way of expressing. Leaving behind the architectural structures and straight shapes, Julio now is entering a new world where the unknown and the unshaped is permitted and welcomed. 

Ruben Ruiz, born in Havana, Cuba came at an early age to Miami. After graduating high school began to study art at Miami Dade College under Robert Huff where his influence determined some of his color and placements. During this time, he exhibited at the Coconut Grove Arts Festival in the late sixties and did special studies at the University of Barcelona in 1969. After serving in the US Army began his studies at FIU. There he discovered ceramics and had done a few plates and bowls. After a long period of being away from producing art, he began in 2000 to do Stainless steel and iron sculptures. Having much success selling large pieces to international as well as commercial venues and private clients he then perused painting. Today his success is seen in his use of color and large size canvases and papers. He has exhibited in Miami 1968 and 1969 Coconut Grove Arts Festival, Art Miami as well as Chile and Altos De Chavon in Dominican Republic. Today he has sold his works to collectors as well as those who want color and boldness at home.

Graham Keith Scott is a British citizen, and resides in England, Norfolk County, he is currently retired and owns a Sports Bar/Bed & Breakfast in Scotland, Aberdeen.  Graham spends long yearly vacations in Miami, Florida.  Since more than 3 years ago he has been enrolled in Painting with Acrylic Art class with the School of Ce, under the direction of Professor, Baruj Salinas.

Gladys Perez Villanueva, Gladys began painting oil on canvas in the early 90s and is primarily self-taught. Her evolution into acrylic on paper and dream-like portraits emerged as a result of the pandemic. While inspiration is all around us, Gladys believes in capturing “simple moments” in her subjects’ expressions. Gladys is a Miami Springs resident, a practicing lawyer, and served as a Miami-Dade County Court Judge, prior to retiring from the bench in 2014.