Community Works Debuts Groundbreaking Exhibit Celebrating the Living Latin History of the South Bronx at Hostos Center for the Arts and Culture on October 26 at 5:30PM.

NEW YORK -- Community Works will debut its newest exhibit, "Latin Roots: South Bronx" with a 5:30 PM gala reception on Tuesday, October 26, 2004 at Hostos Center for the Arts and Culture, 450 Grand Concourse at 149th Street, the South Bronx's prominent cultural institution. The evening will include the unveiling of the exhibit, a tribute to three community honorees, and a performance beginning at 7:00 PM in the Main Theater at the Hostos Center featuring performances by honorees Rosalba Rolon and Dave Valentin, KIPP Academy's 110-piece String and Rhythm Orchestra, and salsa dancers featuring Danny Ramirez and Yesenia Peralta. The performance will be co-hosted by CBS-TV (Channel 2) News Anchor Mario Bosquez and Salsa en la Calle TV Host Willie Villegas. The event is sponsored by Citibank and produced by Community Works (Barbara Horowitz, Founder and President) in association with New Heritage Theatre Group (Voza Rivers, Executive Producer).

"Latin Roots: South Bronx," a unique multimedia public art exhibit developed by the arts and education organization Community Works, celebrates the South Bronx's distinct cultural and historical importance and vibrancy by honoring three remarkable local heroes - Grammy-winning Latin jazz artist Dave Valentin; actor, author, writer, director, and founder of the Pregones Theater, Rosalba Rolon; and cultural activist and organizer and Executive Director of the Bronx Council on the Arts, Bill Aguado - who have helped make the South Bronx what it is today.

"Their lives and achievements in literature, music, education and community service symbolize the spirit of the South Bronx," declared Barbara Horowitz, Founder and President of Community Works, whose programs serve more than 150,000 youth and community members through performances, workshops, exhibits, mentoring and other model programs.

The "Latin Roots: South Bronx" exhibit features, on larger than life panels, photographs of the honorees and the writings and artwork of South Bronx public school students who interviewed them. It also includes a comprehensive timeline of South Bronx history starting from the 1880's, comprising some 110 entries. This 18-foot timeline presents historic archival images, many of them from the book Images of the South Bronx by Bill Twomey, the Bronx Archive Institute, Lehman College Library, and the Centro de Estudios Puertorriquenos, Hunter College.

Following the gala premiere, the exhibit will be open to the public at the Hostos Center for the Arts and Culture for three months before beginning a city-wide tour. The exhibit will be open daily, free of charge.

"The South Bronx community is truly excited about 'Latin Roots: South Bronx'," said Wally Edgecombe, Director of the Hostos Center for the Arts and Culture. "The Community Works exhibition chronicles the history of our neighborhood, its evolution and those individuals who have made significant contributions to the Latino community in New York City. We are pleased that Citibank has selected the Hostos Center for the Arts and Culture to celebrate Hispanic Heritage month with the gala presentation of this exhibition."

"At Citibank, we have always known that the South Bronx is a vibrant community, rich in history and culture, and rich in people," said John Stewart, Business Manager for Citibank North. "We are pleased to strengthen our commitment to helping make communities where we do business better places through our support of Community Works and know that this exhibit will contribute toward building awareness and fostering pride in the South Bronx."

Latin Roots: South Bronx is the second exhibit in the Latin Roots! Series that celebrates--through exhibits, music, dance and spoken word--New York City neighborhoods rich in Latino culture and the individuals who have made them what they are. The Latin Roots! series is a major initiative within Community Works' Making a Difference program, in which young people honor local heroes and commemorate and document the multicultural history and traditions of their neighborhoods.

"Latin Roots: South Bronx" educational components include guided tours, performing arts presentations and a public program series.

The programs of Community Works, a leading arts and education organization founded in New York City in 1990, build community and celebrate diversity in cities across the U.S. through art, education, and shared history, culture and dialogue.

For photographs or further information on "Latin Roots: South Bronx," to arrange interviews with the honorees, to obtain a schedule of Latin Roots: South Bronx special events or to learn about our group tours, contact Community Works at 212-459-1854 or visit our website at www.communityworksnyc.org.