Quizás Mañana (Maybe Tomorrow), is a body of new work that examines the power of familial connection, place, and story.  This exhibition features a new installation, light boxes, and paintings that speak of “visual artifacts,” items that Michelle sees imbued by the characteristics of the person who used them.

Ortiz’s work in the show expresses the pain and the hopes that are carried from one generation in a family to the other.  It discusses the anguish of loss and the reconciliation that is brought about through memory.  Her work through light hints at the promise that the future will bring.  It also discusses the bonds of motherhood that is passed to daughters.

A first generation Philadelphian, Michelle Angela Ortiz is a visual artist, skilled muralist, and community arts educator. Her art depicts people and communities whose histories are often lost or co-opted. Through painting, printmaking, and community arts practices, she creates a safe space for dialogue around some of the most profound issues affecting individuals and communities alike.