Door County Style

Door County Artist, Ram Rojas Exhibition in Appleton at Harmony Café Fox Valley

Posted on 12. Jul, 2010 by Stephen Kastner in Art exhibits

Enjoy an evening of fine art, refreshments, an artist’s talk and live entertainment by singer/songwriter Debra Hadraba.

Krishna and Arjuna by Ram Rojas

Muralist and painter Ram Rojas will exhibit a retrospective collection of his paintings at Harmony Café Fox Valley in Appleton, opening with an artist’s reception on Friday, July 16 from 5:30 pm ‘til closing (10 pm). Rojas is known and respected for his works in several genres that include on-site murals, studio portraits, landscapes and spiritual art derived from his love of eastern religions. He calls this show an “autobiographical display of my interests and passions.”

Ram (pronounced rah-m) was born in Caracas, Venezuela. At 14 years of age, he was selected from among students at Venezuela’s National Art Academy to travel to the United States along with other young artists from Europe, China and Australia to study at the Academy of Vedic Art in Los Angeles, CA. While he was there, an international publishing company took note of this very-disciplined young artist. His masterful pieces became a regular addition to their books and magazines covering a wide variety of interests. He sought further classical training in Europe where he studied Old Master’s works, living and painting mostly in Florence, Italy.

His work continued to appear in multi-language publications around the world; illustrating history, religion, art, mythology, philosophy and science books. Ram’s publishers sent him on an educational tour of India where he studied ancient cultures, techniques and theory of Asian art. Rojas eventually returned to the USA to continue his studies at Barnstone Studios in Philadelphia, where he consolidated his diverse, worldwide experiences with the universal principles of design, anatomy, composition and color theory. Following the completion of his studies, he moved to California where he focused on classic representational art and portraiture.

Gotrock Farms by Ram Rojas

“Over the years my art has undergone an evolution derived from the places I have lived and studied in and the surrounding historic and philosophical influences that those different cultures have brought into my focus,” says Rojas. ”This show will provide an opportunity for my fans and friends to see glimpses of the path I have travelled and how it has affected my work.”

More than a decade ago Ram Rojas discovered Door County, bought and restored a classic home in Sturgeon Bay and established his studio there. He has been painting on canvas and walls ever since, including a mural in the Walls of Wittenberg project and a current work underway at The Clearing in Ellison Bay. Rojas will present an artist’s talk followed by a Q&A at 7 pm on the evening of the Harmony Café opening.

Rojas will present a talk followed by a Q&A at 7 pm on the evening of the opening.

Debra Hadraba

At 8 pm he has arranged for St. Paul singer/songwriter Debra Hadraba to perform some of her latest songs on stage. Known for her work as a founding member of Braveheart Women Global Community, she has just released her first experimental multi-media CD, which consists of 7 original songs, 3 e-books and more than 20 of her zany video performance pieces and animations. The Harmony Café will provide drinks and snacks at the opening and there is no change to attend. Ram Rojas’ paintings will be on exhibit throughout July and August.

“I welcome the opportunity to show my work at this ideal spot,” says Ram Rojas. “Much more than just a café, Harmony invites the entire community to gather in friendship with great food and entertainment.”

Harmony Café Fox Valley is located at 233 E. College Avenue in Appleton, Wisconsin. They are open Monday through Wednesday from 7 am – 9 pm; Thursday through Saturday from 7 am – 10 pm and Sunday from 9 am – 8 pm. For more information please call 920.734.2233 or e-mail: harmonycafe@gwicc.org.

Tags: Debra Hadraba, Harmony Cafe Fox Valley, Ram Rojas, The Clearing, Walls of Wittenberg