Local Brazilian Artist Visits Beach High
By Maria Guzman
After four years of arduous work, Portuguese teacher Anete Arslanian achieved her goal of bringing world-renowned artist Romero Britto to Miami Beach Senior High. A small assembly consisting of the Brazilian Club, Gina Cunningham’s TV Production class, and other art students were invited to hear Britto spoke about his life and work.
Brazil born and Miami-bred, Britto’s curiosity about traveling the world almost lead him to a career in diplomacy, but he found his real passion in art. His pieces use vibrant colors and bold shapes to illustrate cheerful subjects. “I wanted to bring color to my life. I was so miserable, so poor in Brazil, and color brightens life,” he said. “I know what’s going on in the world now but I don’t want to do another image of despair.”
The artist welcomed questions from the students and gave an inspirational speech about fulfilling one’s dreams. “You need to put fire in your stomach,” he said, “say you will be better than your neighbor and learn everything, and that’s how you become successful.”
Britto also demonstrated his talent, sketching a smiling “earthman” reading a book. “Today’s inspiration was learning,” he explained. He will take the drawing back to his Wynwood studio to complete with color and donate the piece to Beach High.
