Back to school, this time in a textbook:
I'm most honored and humbled that my creative contribution and mision has been acknowledged by educators for this book, and that my story shares a page with so many admirable Latinos in the USA who have been role models of my own.
"Learning from Latino Role Models: Inspire Students through Biographies, Instructional Activities, and Creative Assignments." by David Campos (Rowman & Littlefield Publishers)
Written by David Campos,the book provides teachers with instructional resources that can be easily used in classroom settings so that they are culturally responsive to their Latino students. The book has two parts: Part I offers 20 sets of activities designed around Latino role models, and aims to help students learn how Latinos offer unique contributions to this nation. 
It is expected that these resources can help Latino schoolchildren find inspiration to realize their own goals. Part Ii offers 20 sets of activities around select picture books that reflect the Latino community and cultural heritage. The activities are designed to help children come to identify with the stories' controlling themes as they address Latino culture, history, values, and experiences. In all, the instructional sets are complete with questions that motivate critical thinking; activity ideas that reinforce the meaning or the intended message of the story; and vocabulary to enhance students' communication skills.
David Campos is Professor of Education at University of the Incarnate Word (San Antonio, TX) where he teaches courses in special education, culturally responsive teaching, and instructional design and delivery. He has written books on LGBT youth, childhood health and wellness, the teaching of writing, and the schooling of Latinos.
NYA Gallery Representation. Happy to announce I've joined the the roster of artist represented by NYA gallery - NewYorkART.com . An Artist-Led Gallery / Platform, New York Art provides gallery exhibitions and an artist studio platform to artists in the New York Art Market, iPhone app and websites NewYorkART•com and 1stdibs.com. The gallery brings national and international residences programs and to provide affordable artist studios in Manhattan to emerging artists looking to broaden their exposure and experiences in the art world and New York. 
The CBS "Sunday Morning"
In case you missed it. Click image below to check ot the segment. 
The Free Drawings Project
Continuing his mission to promote peace, hope and understanding through art, Franck de las Mercedes has launched a new art project in which he intends to share art and a positive message with anybody, anywhere in the world, this time through a free drawing.
The "Free Drawings" project intends to create artwork that is inclusive and accessible to all, in an effort to bring awareness to the importance of art in people's lives as a catalyst for empathy and dialogue.
Each piece is an original palette knife drawing signed by the artist and completely free.
One person can receive a free drawing by covering their own S&H (shipping materials and postage).
©Franck de las Mercedes
Thank You! Open Studio
Thanks to all who visited my open studio! Always great to meet new people and greet friends and patrons. The new series was even featured in a cool art and travel blog. 
Here's the latest from the series entitled "Four Eves" 
The Annual Summer Open Studio Online. For my loyal patrons and collectors. It's that time of year! Click the image below.
Talk to you soon!
This week on CBS "Sunday Morning"
Spring is in full bloom, and in New York that means pianos are popping up like wildflowers. Tune in to CBS Sunday Morning, June 3rd at 9am EST to see the life cycle of a Sing for Hope Piano and participating artists. Check your local listings. 
Open Studio
WHAT: FdlM Presents "Urbetivism"
WHEN: Saturday, June 16th, 1-6 PM
WHERE: FdlM Art Studio
330 Wadsworth Avenue #3G
New York, NY 10040
Franck will be exhibiting the Urbetivism paintings for the first time at his open studio during "The Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance's 16th annual Uptown Arts Stroll", which takes place every summer in the neighborhoods of Washington Heights. Inwood and West Harlem, NYC. The art stroll showcases the painters, photographers, writers, musicians, sculptors, actors, dancers and filmmakers in Northern Manhattan from May 30 to June 30, 2018. 
I'm actually nervous about sharing this with you. It's a look at my new series and works in progress, "Urbetivism". For a while I've been struggling with saying things through my art that I've realized will only be said by breaking from abstraction. 
Though I have kept a record of this in the form of studies on paper, I have reached a point where I can no longer ignore this or put away-after each minor attempt. I've decided it is time I took a break from everything else, and once and for all explored this new way of working, on canvas and with the subjects at hand. 
I need to see where it takes me. As you know, the representational has been surfacing in my art for a while, but I think it now needs to lead. I'm calling the series "Urbetivism" or "Urbetivismo" in Spanish, for it's references to Nicaraguan Primitivism fused with my urban style and influences. It's not a definite departure from painting abstraction I don't think. But I have to trust the muse. I'll be sharing some of the studies and works in progress and I do plan on showing some at my upcoming open studio this summer. I am nervously psyched. 
COMMON VIEWS:
Maggi Peyton Art Gallery at the Borough President of Manhattan's Office May 3rd - May 30th, 2018
Opening Reception:
Thursday May 3rd / 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Daniel Hauben Dolores Fultado Franck de las Mercedes Frank Guiller Linda Cunningham
Nelson Álvarez Valeri Larko
Curator: Alexis Mendoza
Maggi Peyton Art Gallery
Office of Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer
David Dinkins Municipal Building
1 Centre Street, 19th Floor South
New York, NY 10007
The documentation of city changes and the domestic life has always fascinated artists for generations in the past. From the moment cities start shaping artists often depicted the physical and social realities, as well as the potential emotional disconnect, that can accompany urban density. In recent decades, artistic focus shifted to the ramifications of climate change, localism, relocation and globalization. The exhibition explores our city, New York’s urban representations
“Common Views”, encourage audiences to think about urbanism in a larger context and coincides with collective efforts to enliven and transform our way of living. These efforts and research stand at the center of “Common Views”, an exhibition that brings together artists/New Yorkers from a variety of disciplines and had seen all the transformations. Nelson Álvarez,Franck de las Mercedes, Linda Cunningham, Daniel Hauben, Valeri Larko, Frank Guiller and Dolores Fultado attempt to
decodifide the architectural point of view and the visuality it produces by manipulating the social images and creating new mapping systems in a search for civilian-oriented visual and political imagery. The exhibition explores the new visual strategies generated by the view the city, any city from inside, from above and from within. It underscores the empowering potential of civilian action while questioning the very notion of “democratization.” The exhibition offers alternative strategies for engaging with and obtaining information about local socio-political distribution and the varies ways in the witch the city is changing. THE ANNUAL SPRING STUDIO SALE CONTINUES! Each year selected studies from the FdlM artchive are made available for all to collect.
From various series, one of a kind / Certificate of Authenticity will be included.
Works on paper are a terrific entry point for new collectors and patrons looking to add to their collection S&H included in price. Go get 'em!
Enter code: JUS4U to get $10.00 off 
Until next time. Thank you for staying in touch!
Sharing some images of the installation of my portraits of Francisco de Quevedo exhibited in Spain's Museo Municipal - Ayuntamiento de Puertollano. Exposición “EL HUMOR EN QUEVEDO” 2018
New floral paintings have been featured in the new issue of Inex Magazine. Inex magazine is the ultimate specification resource for design professionals working in both the domestic and commercial marketplaces. Exclusive, cutting-edge content is delivered to inform and inspire esteemed professionals on a whole host of topics and discussions impacting the industry.
New York, NY – March 27, 2014 – Franck De Las Mercedes is pleased to partner with The Fabergé Big Egg Hunt, an innovative and engaging fundraising initiative that will see over 250 large egg sculptures – each designed by globally renowned artists, designers and creatives - placed throughout New York City’s five boroughs from April 1st to 26th, 2014.
Franck’s “Post No Bills” egg is a tribute to the walls of New York that are hosts to ads, street art and urban decay. Using a collage technique and acrylic paints, the surface will be layered in a combination of advertisement imagery, original photos and abstract text – creating a bold, raw texture.
High Res Images:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/22925084/FDLM%20POST%20NO%20BILLS%20EGG%20EHNY.jpg
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/22925084/12205634164_ef218ff1d2_o.jpg
The general public will be encouraged to participate by finding all of the eggs, with incredible gemstone prizes from Fabergé serving as an incentive. The Fabergé Big Egg Hunt will culminate with a spectacular auction of the collectible and one-of-a-kind egg sculptures, held by Sotheby’s and online via Paddle8.
Created as an innovative and engaging platform to raise funds for Elephant Family and other non-profits, The Fabergé Big Egg Hunt caused a frenzy in London in 2012, set two Guinness World Record titles and ultimately raised over $1.5 million for charity. The 2014 hunt in New York will benefit both Elephant Family and Studio in a School.
Limited edition miniature eggs and other merchandise will be available for purchase at www.thebigegghunt.org.
For more information on The Fabergé Big Egg Hunt please visit: http://www.thebigegghunt.org/
Twitter & Instagram @thebiggegghuntNY; Facebook.com/thebigegghunt
#thebigegghuntNY
Press Contact:
Caroline Curtis
Managing Director, HL Group
ccurtis@hlgrp.com / 212.529.5533
ABOUT FDLM:
Franck De Las Mercedes is a Nicaraguan born artist who grew up in New York City after emigrating to the U.S. in 1985. With a self-obtained education, straight from the aisles of the Mid-Manhattan Public Library of New York, De Las Mercedes has emerged as one of the country's most prolific visual artists in recent years. In 2006, De Las Mercedes conceived “The Priority Boxes Art Series”, an ongoing, internationally acclaimed project that merges art and activism. “The Boxes” have traveled the globe, been taught in classrooms and featured on the iconic LED screens of Times Square.
On 2/18/14 Franck's studio was completely destroyed in a 5 alarm building fire. Fortunately, the "Post No Bills" egg had already been shipped and is the only surviving piece of 2014 work. http://franckdelasmercedes.com/
ABOUT Fabergé:
With a fertile imagination and versatile talent, Peter Carl Fabergé became jeweler and goldsmith to the Russian Imperial Court in the 19th century, creating a vast array of exquisite jewels and objects, including the legendary series of fifty lavish and ingenious Imperial Easter Eggs. His worldwide reputation attracted royalty, potentates, aristocrats, tycoons and the connoisseurs of Europe, Scandinavia, the Middle East and Asia.
Today, Fabergé remains synonymous with consummate design and craftsmanship, creating modern collections of extraordinary jewelry, watches and accessories for a discerning international clientele.
Fabergé continues to explore and epitomize ‘the art of color’, pushing the boundaries of artistry and craftsmanship with superlative colored gemstones and a vibrant enamel palette. The ingenuity of Peter Carl Fabergé in making the most of each gemstone’s unique characteristics, creating beautiful color nuances, remains central to the philosophy of Fabergé today.
ABOUT Studio in a School:
Since 1977, Studio in a School has enriched almost 800,000 children’s lives in New York City’s five boroughs with the creativity of the visual arts. Studio’s unique method brings professional artists into school and community organizations to lead classes in drawing, printmaking, painting, media technology, 2-D applied design and sculpting.
During the financial crisis of the mid-1970s, New York City virtually eliminated the budget for arts education in the public schools. In response, Agnes Gund, philanthropist and President Emerita of The Museum of Modern Art, founded Studio in a School.
Partnering with administrators, artists, supporters and members of the New York City Department of Education, Studio dedicated itself to providing students with a full and meaningful visual arts experience.Studio establishes multi-year partnerships between artists and educators designed to develop age-appropriate art programs, and offers professional guidance to teachers and administrators at participating sites.
Studio provides programs to nearly 200 sites throughout the five boroughs. Every year, 90 professional artists serve almost 30,000 Pre-K through high school students. About 90% of all children who participate in our programs come from low-income homes.
ABOUT Elephant Family:
The Asian elephant – one of the biggest, most intelligent animals on the planet, has declined in numbers by 90% in the past 100 years. Since launching, Elephant Family has doubled the amount of money going their conservation, and invested it with pin point precision - protecting and reconnecting Asia’s most important forests for elephants and for all the animals who share them.
A lifetime of travel imbued Elephant Family’s charismatic Co-Founder and Chairman, Mark Shand, with a love of adventure and a commitment to saving endangered animals. In his own words Mark ‘fell in love’ with a female elephant named Tara one steamy monsoon night, in the jungles of Orissa, Eastern India.
He bought Tara and rode her thousands of kilometers across the north eastern states of India, a journey that, in 2003, fired his determination to start Elephant Family, a charity dedicated to protecting Tara’s endangered wild relatives.
Experts in public art exhibitions, Elephant Family have a track record in high profile fundraising events. After the success of The Fabergé Big Egg Hunt in London in 2012, the charity is perfectly poised for New York which is set to be ‘even bigger, and better’ than London.
Franck de Las Mercedes to be Honored at 5th Annual Hearing Our Voices Awards in NYC
Voices UnBroken Recognizes those who Make the World a Better Place
WHAT: On November 17, 2011, Voices UnBroken will host their 5th annual Hearing Our Voices Awards Reception in NYC. Established in 2007, the award recognizes people who use their voices to make the world a better place and work to make the community's voices heard. Among this year's honorees is internationally recognized artist Franck de Las Mercedes who will be honored for his work with The Priority Boxes Art Project.
The "Priority Boxes" project is a public art series that seeks to initiate dialogue on peace, challenge people to reconsider their ability to influence change and question the fragility, value and priority given to those concepts. Each box, sent by mail to anyone who requests one, is both a canvas for a unique abstract painting and a platform for communication through art. A mixture of art and activism, the boxes are sent free to convey that something of such priority as peace should not have a price and that art can be both inclusive and accessible to all. For more info on this artist: http://www.fdlmstudio.com/PriorityBoxes.html
This event will also feature live art by Marthalicia Matarrita, and performances by Def Jam poet (and Voices UnBroken Board Member), Caridad “La Bruja” De La Luz, and Hearing Our Voices Award Honoree, Maya Azucena.
WHO: Other honorees include, Grammy Award Winning Singer, Maya Azucena and Founder of the Bowery Poetry Club, Bob Holman.
WHEN: November 17, 2011 at 6pm - 10pm
WHERE: 28 on 27 Studio
28 West 27th Street, New York, NY 10001
For further information or to attend the Hearing our Voices Awards Reception, please contact Victoria Sammartino @ 646.391.3296 or victoria@voicesunbroken.org
Voices UnBroken is a Bronx-based non-profit organization dedicated to providing under-heard members of the community, primarily youth ages 14-21, with the tools and opportunity for creative self-expression. Through writing-based creative arts workshops in group homes, residential treatment centers, jails, juvenile detention centers and various other transitional and alternative settings, Voices UnBroken nurtures the inherent need in all people to tell their stories and be heard. It is our belief that through this telling of stories and sharing of dreams individual and community growth becomes possible. http://www.voicesunbroken.org/