Painter Jose M. Soares is currently exhibiting his impressive oil paintings at the McEvoy Gallery of the McGuire Fine Arts Building on campus. Color and light permeate the canvases depicting scenes of Portugal and of nearby Newport and Bristol, Rhode Island.
Mr. Soares, who has worked in Portsmouth Abbey's dining services since 1991, was born on October 18, 1954 in the small town of Rosario, Lagoa, on the island of St. Michael in the Azores. Born to Manuel and Margarida Soares, Jose is the oldest of 10 children, 6 boys and 4 girls. Mr. Soares has been interested in art since childhood. As a young boy he spent his free time drawing and painting the landscapes and village life of Rosario, Lagoa. As a young man he used his artistic talent working as a ceramic painter at the Ceramica Vieira de Lagoa, a ceramic studio that makes traditional Portuguese pottery.
In 1979 he emigrated to the United States where he now lives with his wife Leonor and their two adult children Monica '00 and Filipe '02 in Bristol, Rhode Island. Filipe, a graduate of Providence College was "tapped" for Dirigo, the Leadership Honor Society of the college, by the Office of Student Activities-Involvement-Leadership.
Mr. Soares and has been well known on campus for the stunning oil painting "Harmony on the Pier" which took him more than three years to complete, and can be seen in the main foyer of the Burden Classroom Building where it has been displayed since he donated it to the School several years ago.
An active member of his community participating in local organizations for many years, including The Portuguese School of Bristol Rhode Island, Mr. Soares is a parishioner of St. Elizabeth Church and an active member of the choir. Mr. Soares has also shared his love of art participating in Arts Week at his children's schools through the years.
He has exhibited his work at many local clubs and restaurants as well as Portuguese cultural events in the area. He has also participated in an exhibit for Portuguese artists at the Bristol County Court House in Bristol Rhode Island. In addition to painting Mr. Soares also enjoys sculpting, writing poetry and singing.
"According to Naseemah Mohamed '08, who interviewed Mr. Soares for The Beacon school newspaper, "Mr. Soares believes that a great artist has to possess two qualities: both the talent (with which he is born) and the drive to constantly teach himself and work in order to improve.' Although he did not attend art school, he recognizes that it is a very useful place for an artist to learn various art techniques, 'otherwise the artist will have to spend much of his life learning the techniques alone.'"
Mr. Soares told Naseemah that one of his favorite artists is Paul Reubens: "I like him because I see so much movement and life in his works." Mr. Soares compares his passion for art to a man hungry for food, stating that "it is a desire that you feel in yourself to turn your dreams into reality."
The show will run through November 22, 2008. Please check with the School regarding gallery hours: 401.683.2000.
View photos of the show opening in September.
