Tampeño

Like the shifting tides of the Gulf, the Tampeño experience is ever-evolving—anchored in tradition yet never fully settled, continuously seeking, and remembering. Communicated through my eyes as a first-generation Cuban-American born and raised in the vibrant heart of West Tampa, my work celebrates what it means to be a Tampeño. It honors the customs, memories, and way of life that have shaped my identity and forged my bond with the City of Tampa.

As a proud Tampeña, my upbringing is distinct, shaped by the richness of my heritage but also marked by the fact that I don’t speak Spanish. My work becomes my language—a way to communicate with my family and honor our heritage, showing that even though I am not fluent in the language of our ancestors, I still carry the essence of our story within me. I bear with pride the weight of our sacrifices, the strength of our resilience, and the fight that pulses through our bloodline, which traces back to the Caribbean island that lives within us.

I capture our traditions—from cherished family gatherings to the foods and places that have defined my upbringing. Through painted imagery of my family, the streets, and local establishments we call home, I reflect both the deep roots my family has in Tampa and the ever-evolving landscape of our Hispanic and Latino community.

Using local materials such as plates donated from the homes of Tampa natives, wood crates from Zoo Tampa, Cuban bread bags from La Teresita, whiskey barrels from local breweries, and cigar boxes from family-owned cigar shops in Ybor, I incorporate elements from the environment that has nurtured us. These materials speak to our collective identity as Tampeños, marked by resilience, adaptation, and pride. The body of work utilizes a natural color palette of browns, tans, and cream tones that mirror the earthy qualities of cigars and tobacco. These muted hues echo the presence of cigar smoke—how it lingers, stains walls, and creates an archival feel. This effect is both visual and emotional, grounding my work in memory, evoking the intimacy of family spaces, and emphasizing the historical weight of my upbringing.

Beyond the materials, my creative process is deeply rooted in movement and cultural expression. Dance has always been an integral part of my life—woven into family gatherings, kitchen moments, and the ever-present rhythm of music. In some works, I dip my shoes into paint and dance on wooden panels, allowing the rhythms of my heritage to leave a tangible imprint. The red and blue imprints pay homage to the Cuban flag, reflecting how every dance step my family takes is a connection to our culture. The patterns within the prints are inspired by my Abuela’s chanclas, which bore the marks of every celebration as she carried them to gatherings, slipping them on when her feet grew tired from dancing in her bedazzled heels.

Through an exploration of family, tradition, and memory, I aim to convey how our identities as Tampeños are shaped by the places we inhabit, the families we come from, and the traditions we carry forward. This work stands as a tribute to my family and the enduring spirit of the Tampeño way of life, a way of being that continues to define what it means to belong to this city.