Family, folklore and color come alive in Galeria Cubana’s first exhibition of the summer. El mundo que puede abarcar con tus manos (The world you can hold in your hands) features the works of 3 self-taught, seasoned painters living and working in Cuba their entire lives.

In 12 new wonderfully playful paintings, the popular Sandra Dooley captures the soul, serenity and love of her life in Santa Fe, Cuba. Dooley has been represented by Galeria Cubana since the gallery's inception in 2007. The artist continues to focus her attention on life's pleasures of family, friends and pets despite very difficult times in Cuba.

Martalena and Carlos Caceres are similarly inspired by the spiritual and soulful daily lives of Cubans. Both are known for their use of especially bright colors. Caceres’s technique creates a vibrant and pointillist style, quite distinctive from other artists. His intent is to convey the joyous aspects of Cuba’s cultural heritage.

The experienced naive painter Martalena exhibits her work for the first time at Galeria Cubana. Best known for her electric folkloric work, the artist also addresses

her own personal challenges in the two most recent paintings on view, using an especially enchanting elixir of honesty and humor.