Distinguished Artist, Soraida Martinez, Chosen by Curator of Hardy Family 5th Annual Art Show to Exhibit Original Verdadism Paintings With Works of Other International Artists: Fernando Botero, Burton Morris, Howard Behrens, Bobbie Carlyle, Claudia Olds Goldie, Ranna, and Gene Trindl

Soraida will be among 8 renowned artists and sculptors who have been invited to exhibit their works-of-art at the 5th Annual Hardy Family Art Exhibition. The artwork will be on display for approximately 6 months and a portion of all sales benefit the Arts of Western Pennsylvania, including organizations like The State Theater. Since 1992, Soraida has been known for creating Verdadism, a socially conscious art style wherein all paintings are accompanied by a written social commentary. The Verdadism painting genre is a form of Hard Edge Abstract Expressionism and consists of two distinct, yet integral parts: the visual component and the written commentary. Soraida created the word Verdadism by combining the Spanish word for truth (Verdad) and the English suffix for theory (ism). Some of the issues addressed through the art of Verdadism include racism, sexism, stereotyping, sibling relationships, personal soul searching and universal human conditions. Soraida is also the author of a book on Verdadism, Soraida's Verdadism: The Intellectual Voice of A Puerto Rican Woman on Canvas; Unique, Controversial Images and Style. The Verdadism artwork chosen for this exhibition includes "The Terror of Demasking Oneself," a painting about the fear of revealing one's truth self. Plus, these Verdadism paintings: "Not Knowing Which Way to Go," "Between Two Islands," "Piano Man: The Survival of Hope," "Self-Effacing Woman," "I Found It Hard to Be An Individual," "Feeling The Espanola, Africana and Taina in Me," "When Money Gets Ugly," "Turning 40," "Guitar Player: A Symbol of Hope," and "La Vida Es Dura Para Una Mujer Como Yo." This exhibition runs from May 1, 2004 until October 31, 2004 at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort & Spa, Farmington, Pennsylvania. An opening reception, with a silent auction and dinner dance will be held on Saturday, May 1st from 6-9PM. For reservations to the private reception and auction, call 1-800-422-2736. For information on Soraida and the art of Verdadism, visit www.soraida.com.

Meet Artist, Soraida at the New York City Small Press Book Fair (20 West 44th Street) on Saturday, March 27th, from 10-6PM and Sunday, March 28th,2004 from 11-5PM."Soraida's Verdadism: The Intellectual Voice of a Puerto Rican Woman on Canvas; Unique, Controversial Images and Style," Soraida is known for creating Verdadism, a socially conscious, contemporary artstyle where every painting has a written social commentary. Some of the issues addressed by Soraida include racism, sexism, ethnocentrism, stereotyping, abortion, sibling relationships, personal tribulations and social inequalities. Since 1992, Soraida has been promoting tolerance and social change through her Verdadism art and philosophy. Besides her Verdadism Art Book and a poetry book by Victor Edgar Rivera, on display will be fine art prints of Soraida's Verdadism Artwork. Artist, Soraida is on the 3rd floor (room 302); admission to the Book Fair is FREE.

Please call for more information 856-346-3131