The Artists of Heartside Gallery and Studio -- Bertha Zamora

Heartside Gallery and Studio began in 1993 as a small program of Heartside Ministry.  This ever-expanding program continues to offer the Heartside community and its neighbors a supportive and safe environment in which to create, exhibit and sell work. 

Our artists come from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences.  Some have experienced homelessness and the disadvantages that come with it; our community also includes artists with various emotional, physical or mental disabilities.  Many artists are simply people from the Heartside neighborhood who wish to share their experience and talent with neighbors who can benefit from their expertise.

Our featured artist for October is Bertha Zamora.  Here's a little bit about the artist, in her own words:

Bertha worked in the fields and in a Laundromat in Texas when she was growing up. She was homeless for awhile, but now that she has her own place, she sees no chance of going back.

Bertha mainly sews and makes pottery, and says that it keeps her young.  She says ‘I might be and old lady- I’ve been through enough in my life- but it doesn’t mean I have to ACT like an old lady!”.  She’d like to be able to leave pieces of her artwork for her children and grandchildren so they can remember her when she is gone.

Bertha's work 'I am like this, you are like that' can be seen at Women's City Club (for ArtPrize) through Oct 10th . Here's her statement for the show: 'This is not about sex, it's about the body. When I was growing up, I was always told that I was ugly-- I just grew up this way. But when I got older, I started to look around and realize that everybody is ugly and everybody is beautiful, so why should I be embarrassed? I am fine with my body now because God made me this way, so why not show it?'

The Artists of Heartside Gallery and Studio' is a monthly feature to highlight some of the wonderful people of the Heartside neighborhood.  Visit www.heartside.org to learn more and get involved.

Sarah Scott is Arts Coordinator for Heartside Gallery and Studio, and can be reached at [email protected]