7-year-old student artist Mario Roblero stands by his painting with his family. 
The Galería of Imagination is located on the first floor of MainPlace Mall in Santa Ana. 
A student artist and her family members are beaming over her artwork. 
The Tran family visited the gallery in support of their eldest child. 
There are 75 pieces of artwork on display.
Surrounded by his biggest supporters, 7-year-old Mario Roblero stands proudly in front of his artwork that is currently on display at Galería of Imagination.
With a brown border, the student artist from Thomas Paine Elementary School in the Garden Grove Unified School District painted a picture of a tree with blue, yellow and purple leaves. He titled his piece “The Tree.” It was among 350 pieces selected for the 46th annual VSA Festival, which was held in late April to celebrate the artistic achievements of individuals with disabilities.
Out of the 350 pieces, 75 including Mario’s were chosen to be displayed at VSA Orange County’s Art on the Move traveling show at a gallery in MainPlace Mall in Santa Ana between June and July 31. The pieces are reflective of this year’s theme, “Rise Up.”
“This year’s theme reflects a call to action for the creative spirit to ‘rise up’ from the challenges presented by the pandemic over the past two years,” said Marleena Barber, director of VSA Orange County. “We are proud of our students and artists who have demonstrated that creativity can thrive in even the darkest of circumstances.”
Arts on the Move is a program created by VSA Orange County, which is a nonprofit organization in partnership with the Orange County Department of Education. The organization provides arts, education and cultural opportunities by, with, and for people with disabilities, making the arts accessible to people of all abilities.
The purpose of the show is to provide opportunities for the artists like Mario to elevate their work and to raise awareness on the artistic talents and skills of people with disabilities.
“VSA Orange County and the Orange County Department of Education are grateful to partner with Galería of Imagination to provide a space and bring awareness to the artistic talents and skills of people with disabilities,” Barber shared. “It is so important for their work to be celebrated and recognized, and what a thrill it was to witness the pride beaming from the artists and their families at the opening reception on June 4th.”
The 75 pieces of artwork will be on display at the Galería of Imagination, which is located on the first floor near JCPenney. It is open to the public between Thursdays and Sundays during these specific hours:
- Thursdays between 2 to 6:00 p.m.
- Fridays between 12 to 7:00 p.m.
- Saturdays between 12 to 7:00 p.m.
- Sundays between 12 to 7:00 p.m.
The gallery will be hosting this event through July 31.
For more information visit: https://ocde.us/VSA/Pages/default.aspx.