KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Neus Arqués - Barcelona
“To appreciate your work, your audience needs to see it first”. Neus is a writer & digital analyst. Graduated in Translation and Political Science from Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona and a Masters in International Relations from Johns Hopkins University. Her career has included positions in Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Barcelona Chamber of Commerce. She has served as election observer for the OSCE in Bosnia. In 2000 founded her communications agency. At present she is fully devoted to writing and speaking about visibility issues. As a non-fiction author, Neus has published "Y tu, qué marca eres", the first handbook on Personal Branding in Spanish. In "Marketing para escritores" she combines her two passions: writing and marketing. Her latest book, "Tu plan de visibilidad 40+", published by Penguin Random House, presents her method to increase personal visibility. She is also author of three novels. "Un hombre de pago", her first, has been translated into Russian and Portuguese and is currently in development as a film. Ranked as one of Spain’s top 35 most influential women in the Internet, Neus is a lecturer at various postgraduate programs. She regularly reaches out to the book community with seminars specifically tailored to the challenges of authors, publishers and book-sellers. Neus lives in Barcelona, with her husband Steve and their daughter and in www.neusarques.com

SPEAKERS & PANELISTS (Alphabetical Order)

Gustavo Acosta, Renowned Visual Artist with over 30 years of professional experience based in Miami. His works are part of public collections of the highest level in New York, California, Miami, Havana, Spain, among others. He has produced nearly a hundred personal and group exhibitions in over 30 countries throughout his prolific career which has received important international awards. He is considered one of the most important artists of his generation. He is represented by prestigious galleries like Panamerican Art Projects in Miami, Latin American Masters in Los Angeles, Lile O. Reitzel in Santo Domingo, Talento Arte in México and Frederic Boloix Fine Art in Ketchum, Idaho.

Neiver Alvarez, Director of music videos, commercials, photography, and films. Born in Havana, Cuba and naturalized in Canada. He has directed more than 200 music videos productions as well as participated in film productions as DP. He is also a music producer and composer; his music has been part of great movies and TV shows like Miami CSI, CSI New York, Prison Brake, Sleeper Cell, Gran Torino, Get the Gringo and others. He was the director of photography on the film Pepito sin Salidas, Je dream ou Quoi and has directed music videos for more than 200 artists and producers renowned internationally such as Rudy Perez, John Secada, Natalie Cole, Michael Carreira, Red One, Alejandro Jaen and many more. Based in Miami, he just concluded filming his first feature film as writer and director called Red Ocean.

Rodolfo de Athayde, Brazil-based Entrepreneur and Artistic Promoter Trained in Philosophy at the Lomonosov State University in Moscow. Co-Founder with Ania Gonzales  of " Arte A Produções ", with more than 15  world art exhibitions to his credit, which include among others, "Kandinsky: Todo Comienza en un Punto", “Visiones en la Colección Ludwig”," "Islán: Arte y Civilização","La Virada Rusa", "Carlos Garaicoa" and "Gustavo Acosta". Responsible for bringing the famous "Buena Vista Social Club" to Brazil as well as musicians like Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Irakere with Chucho Valdés, Los Van Van Group, Síntesis, and Grammy Award winning musicians Jane Bunet and Ali Farka Touré. He has produced a series of CDs with Cuban and Brazilian musicians, which received two Latin Grammy nominations. He is currently part of two major exhibitions in the field of visual arts, "Los Carpinteros" and "Lucian Freud, Francis Bacon y la Escuela de Londres” in collaboration with the Tate Gallery in London.

Carlos Cataño, Director and Presenter of the radio show “De Regreso a Casa” which is broadcasted daily in Spanish. The show covers the Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, and Monroe Counties in South Florida. Carlos  Cataño delivers in his show a satirical and comic interpretation of the daily news leading a distinguish group of talented people. He also interviews people from the political spectrum to the trending and opinion makers. Mr. Cataño earned his degree in Law and Political Sciences at the Universidad Libre in Cali, Colombia. He also holds a Corporate Management degree from Universidad de los Andes in Bogotá, Colombia. 

Marisol Correa, Actress, theater promoter and entrepreneur.  Started her artistic career when she was 10 years old in Bogota, Colombia. Worked at the successful comedy “Dejémonos de Vainas” on air for 14 consecutive years. In 1989 earned the Award to Best Actress in a 2nd role at Festival de Cine de Cartagena for “Quieta Margarita” and she was nominated to Premio Simón Bolívar for her participation in the TV serial “Destinos Cruzados”. She studied Psychology  at Universidad Santo Tomás de Aquino. She received voice studies at Teatro Libre de Bogotá, corporal expression at Escuela del Distrito, Teatro La Baranda and “clown” at Teatro Popular de Bogotá (TPB). Graduated from the first promotion of the acting laboratory at Universidad Nacional de Colombia. Got a post degree in Film and Television from Universidad Jorge Tadeo Lozano.  In year 2000 she established in Miami from where she worked in TV program distribution with Centauro Vista enterprise for filmmaker Gustavo Nieto. In the radio at Caracol 1260 am. In the theater as actress in several plays like "Las Mujeres son de Venus y los Hombres son… de Madre!”, “Segundo Round”, “Crónicas Desquiciadas” “Mujeres de Par en Par” “Ellas quieren y él no puede” y “Monologando”. In local TV networks like "América TeVe" "La Mega canal 22" and invited by Telemundo network to participate in a special edition of “Los 50 más bellos de People en Español". She has been an art and cultural promoter of Centro de Arte Cultura Hispano y Educativo from Miami Dade College. Recipient of City of Miami Keys from Mayor Manny Díaz. Currently works in “De Regreso a Casa” at Radio Caracol 1260 AM. Director during the last five years of TEATRO TRAIL located at famous Calle 8 in Miami, hosting great demand and successful plays like "Los Monólogos de la Vagina" "La Lupe" "Manos Quietas" and "Oficialmente Gay" with all box offices records broken, that have had so far more than 23 months in the schedule. She has welcomed the best humor actors from Latin America building a demand and recognition for the Stand Up comedy in Spanish. Marisol, her theater rooms and participating artists have been awarded with several recognitions by official entities and the Miami Life Awards.

Ramón Fernandez Larrea, Author, Poet and Radio, Television and Film Screenwriter. Considered one of the most prominent poets of his generation, he was recently received the prestigious international prize for poetry "Gaston Baquero". He has published nine poetry books, several of which have received awards in Spain, Mexico and Cuba. His work has been included in more than 30 poetry anthologies translated into seven languages. He has written comedy for more than 10 years for US Spanish TV programs with large audiences and popularity like "Seguro Que Yes" y "Esta Noche Tu Night" with Alexis Valdes, "Pellízcame Que Estoy Soñando" with Carlos Otero,  "El Arañazo" with Omar Moynelo as well as "Sabado Gigante" and "Despierta America " among many others. He has contributed to the scripts of several Cuban films and wrote for six years "La Columna de Ramón" on the website Cuba Encuentro. He wrote, produced and directed radio shows in Spain and Cuba, being the most recognized, "Programa de Ramón", prime show in Cuba between 1988 and 1991, which makes him a landmark in the history of radio in the island.

Jose Garcia-Piñeyro, Entrepreneur, Promoter, Sales Expert, Engineer and Musician. Over the past two decades he has produced more than 40 top level Conventions, Fairs and Expos on a continental scale, serving several industries. He worked in the film industry for 20 years. He is also an artist promoter, record producer, award-winning composer and performer. He is considered one of the founders of "underground" Cuban Rock. Creator of the hit theater play "The Story of Juan Lennon", also carried out projects within the industries of entertainment and publishing.

Jose Garrido, Cuban-American writer, composer, producer, designer. Immigrated to exile in the United States in 1961.  He studied Architecture and having worked professionally with Architectural firms designing performing arts projects, this led him into experiencing further the field. He began having minor design and acting roles in the theater, where he received various ACCA awards for music and acting in the Latin industry in Miami. In 1984 one of his musical compositions was selected to be in the prestigious and international OTI Music Festival. After having met Puerto Rican musicians, composers and arrangers, Jose Negroni and Luis Espindola, in 1995, they produced together two sold out shows, "Latin Jazz meets the Colony" at the Colony Theater on Lincoln Road Miami Beach, bringing together two genres, Jazz and Bolero. Afterwards others followed, with productions and production designs in "Bolero Loves Jazz", "Big Band Christmas", "Melodies and Rhythms of the Americas",  "Federico Britos "Danzones Danzas y Boleros", "Jazz on The Way", "Calle Ocho Jazz Nights", among others. Today, he has written the book, music and lyrics of a new World Premier Musical, "Sueños, An Exile Journey", which tells the moving story of the Cuban Exile, one of the most captivating journeys of the 20th century. Together with the masterful arrangements and orchestrations of multi Grammy nominee producer, artist, and pianist Jose Negroni, it will be presented at the Miami Dade County Auditorium on May 15, 2016.

Judith Gonzalez, Born in Ciego de Avila, Cuba. A multi-talented actress with a very special charisma for humor. She has dabbled successfully in singing. She studied drama at the National School of Art Instructors in her country, where she graduated in 1992 in the specialty of theater. She worked in different theater groups until she emigrated to the US in 1995. In the city of Miami where she lives, she has dabbled successfully in different areas of the local hispanic television where she has captivated her audience for her versatility.  Considered a very accomplished actress with a spark of ingenuity when designing her characters. She is famous for the contributions made to the scripts that fall into her hands. Her character in "Magdalena la Pelua" has stolen the affection of the public with her ideas and ingenuity and has been described by some critics as a representation that is both tender, mischievous, loving time naively and childishly. She has worked successfully in several television programs as Dinamitados, La Flor de Hialeah, Seguro que Yes, Esta Noche Tu Night, even Sabado Gigante among others, and more recently in El Arañazo from Mega TV.

Diana Montano, TV reporter, journalist and writer. Born in Mexico where she studied Communications Science; producer and reporter for the program “Imagen Musical”. In 1992 started as entertainment reporter for “El Heraldo de México”; she was entertainment editor for “El Latino” newspaper in San Diego. Ca. Earned an Award for the Best Entertainment News from NAHP. Post-grade Profesor at Universidad de las Californias in Tijuana. She worked for Metro Networks, the top company in USA providing traffic services and news in the radio. Served as Director of the News Department in Spanish for such company in Miami. She worked for Radio Caracol, RTC, La Cubanísima, Radio Paz among others. Got back to the TV as “talk show” producer for the program “Sevcec”, where she earned an Emmy award for “Who is killing women in Ciudad Juárez?” In 2000, joined the production team of the first daily opening show at Telemundo network “Esta Mañana”. She worked as reporter for “De Mañanita”, “Hoy en el Mundo” and “Cada Día”. Since 2011 works for América TeVe as investigative reporter for the program “A Fondo con Pedro Sevcec”. Currenty is a reporter for America Noticias, in the same network focusing on crime, domestic violence and human interest events. Segment copresenter at the radio program “Casos y cosas de Collins”; she wrote 4 years for the Huffington Post; presented of “Testigos y Protagonistas” in Cristina Radio Network Sirius XM Canal 146. Just launched her blog www.dianamontano.com. Due to her extensive experience Diana has become one the most recognized journalists in Spanish TV in the USA.

Donato Poveda, Composer and Performer. He has carried out a successful career spanning more than 30 years as a soloist, a member of the duo Donato Y Estefano and author of songs of extraordinary welcome. Several times nominated for the Latin Grammy Awards and Billboard, nominated for an American Grammy for his album "Bohemio Enamorado". It began as a troubadour at age 18 in Cuba where he is considered one of the most prominent representatives of his generation. He has written music for theater and television, awarded in events of that profile. His compositions have been greatly successful in the voices of Julio Iglesias "Agua Dulce, Agua Salá '; Chayanne "Candela"; Gilberto Santa Rosa, "Dejate Querer"; Alexandre Pires, "Usted Se Me Llevo la Vida"; to name a few, and has collaborated with artists such as Emmanuel, Jose Luis Rodriguez (El Puma), Cristian Castro, Alejandro Fernandez, Melina Leon, Milly Quezada, Sergio Dalma, Hector Montaner, Lissette, Willy Chirino, Tania Libertad, Juan Carlos Baglietto, among many others.

Marlow Rosado, Pianist Composer, Producer and Grammy winner. With over two decades experience in the music industry,  Marlow has developed a powerful portfolio working with many of the top artists. A native of Puerto Rico, salsero at heart has successfully written, played and produced hits for some of the most renowned artists in Latin music. From salsa to rock, from merengue to hip-hop, from bachata to reggaeton. He has worked with Celia Cruz, the unforgettable Tejana signer Selena, legendary pianist Larry Harlow, Tommy Olivencia, Marc Anthony, Olga Tañón, Ricky Martin and Desmond Child. Among his most notable works, the 5 driving rock tracks he co-wrote on Alejandra Guzman’s album “Lipstick”, nominated for Best Rock Album of the Year by both the American and Latin Grammys, the emotionally charged Yolandita Monge production, “Sentimiento Borinqueño,” as well as the arrangements, directing, and coproduction on Ricky Martin’s production “MAS”. Other artist includes Elvis Crespo, Puerto Rican Power, India and many more. As proudest moments as composer, he names his compositions “Me Dejo En El Aire” and “Un No Se Que,” recorded by the legendary “El Gran Combo De Puerto Rico”. Marlow earned a Masters degree in Jazz Education, and has taught at the elementary as well as the University level. He is continually sought out by Latin Artists for his musical arrangement skills, his aggressive montunos on the piano, as well as his ability to direct orchestras as he has successfully done for artists such as the late Salsa legend Celia Cruz, Tito Puente Jr., Tito Nieves, and many others. Marlow Rosado took center stage in 2009 when he successfully released his first album, SALSALSA which was signed by the world famous record company “Fania Records” In 2012 Rosado released his sophomore record RETRO, that won the Grammy for Best Tropical Album Of The Year. On 2014, Marlow released his third album “SALSANIMAL” where Marlow invites major contributors as Larry Harlow, Richie Ray, Jon Secada, Checo Acosta and more. With 11 nominations and a Grammy already on his shelf, Marlow is most definitely a driving force in the tropical music industry.

Eugenio Valdes-Figueroa, Director and chief curator of the Cisneros Fontanals Art Foundation (CIFO). A noted curator, critic, and expert on Latin American and contemporary art, Valdés-Figueroa has been a leading scholarly voice in the this field for over 25 years.  Prior to joining CIFO, where he guides the programmatic vision of the foundation and leads the organization’s annual Grants & Commissions program, he held the position of founder art and education director at Casa Daros, Daros Latinamerica in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, which houses one of the world’s leading collections of Latin American art. As the co-founder of Casa Daros, he shaped the conceptual, curatorial, and educational program of the institution, working with a wide range of top artists. Prior to joining Daros Latinamerica in 2001, he served as the co-curator of the Havana Biennial from 1990 to 1997, and concurrently held positions as a contemporary African art researcher and curator of international contemporary art at the Wifredo Lam Center of Contemporary Art in Havana, Cuba. As an independent curator, he co-organized a great number of exhibitions in several countries. He is a frequent contributor to magazines, books, and catalogues on contemporary art. He has also collaborated on editing several surveys published on Latin American art.

Janda Wetherington, Director, Pan American Art Projects. Janda's interest in the arts was born while she was living and working in Guatemala and made her first trips to other parts of Latin America. Looking at the arts with an anthropological eye, she is interested in the visual language of art and how it can tell a symbolic story of the artists culture, both for those artists living and working in their country of origin as well as those in diasporas. Pan American Art Projects (PAAP) specializes in art of the Americas with the mission to build a bridge between North and South American cultures by presenting and exhibiting artists from both regions. We deal with emerging to established artists, as well as secondary market paintings, sculpture, and works on paper. In 1990 we started as Galerie Malraux in Los Angeles, California: at that time the gallery focused mainly on Caribbean art. In 1994 the gallery followed its founder to Dallas, Texas, in a transition which marked the beginning of Pan American Art Gallery; the inaugural exhibit was a massive 400-piece show of important modernist Cuban art. By the early 2000’s the gallery moved to a 4500 square feet exhibition space in the upscale Turtle Creek area of Dallas; the first show there, a comprehensive view of Cuban photography titled “Cuban Photography – Revolutionary to Contemporary” was named one of the ten best shows of the year in America. Since that time the gallery expanded its reach to North and South America, and promotes contemporary artists of distinction from the Western Hemisphere. In December 2006 we opened as 12,000 sq. ft. compound in the heart of the Wynwood district of Miami, which features multiple exhibition rooms, a video box, on-site storage, a library, and an apartment with a studio for visiting artists. Our first Miami exhibit was a large two-man show of Leon Ferrari and Oscar Bony, both from Argentina. At that time, we modified our name to Pan American Art Projects, to reflect our evolution into a dynamic contemporary art venture. PAAP is announcing that after 10 years in the Wynwood District, is moving to Little Haiti and Little River in Miami, opening April 2016.

New speakers and panelists will be announced soon.
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