january 20, 2016 This week in Gay Palm Springs

AdamsArtExpose’
FRANCISCO VARGAS, ARTIST, ACTIVIST
The film, “Equal Rights Documentary”, was
produced, directed, and edited by Francisco
Vargas. It brings to light the continuing
struggle, and some of the victories, in the
struggle for equality among LGBT people.
This film was entered in the 2010 Palm
Springs Short Film Festival. It is one example
of how Francisco Vargas has used his
creative abilities to illuminate the legitimacy
of gay and bi people.
Francisco Vargas came to the United States
in 1985. Painting and drawing has been a
natural part of his existence since he was
a small boy. In Santiago, Chili,where he
grew up, he created posters and graphics
for corporate companies and boutiques.
He was discouraged by some of the repression
and restrictions in the political life of
Chili. He moved to New York City to be a
student at Parsons School. While completing
his degree at Parsons, he worked at the
New York Art Institute where he eventually
became a member of the faculty. He was
also a faculty member of Briarcliff College
NY and of the Chub Institute of NYC. He
taught: cinematography, video production,
digital film, computer applications and
graphic design. He also became an advisor
and initiator of the LGBT Club at the Art
Institute.
In 2012, he moved to Palm Springs with
Tom his husband of 30 years. Here, Francisco
has collaborated with Roy Smith, also
an artist, to open the Smith-Vargas Gallery
at 1003 N. Palm Canyon Drive in Palm
Springs. The web site of the Gallery exhibits
the cinematic design creativity of Fancisco
as seen in the animated front page, which
incorporates the figure art of Roy Smith
with the colorful landscape painting of
Francisco.
You will find Francisco working in the gallery,
as his studio, creating paintings with
a unique depth. He achieves this by using
a clear glaze, sprayed on between layers of
brush painting. The mission of Smith-Vargas
Gallery is to “Open a venue for artists
to articulate their self-image, self-reflection,
and self expression - and to expand the sensibility
of beauty to the community.”
Francisco is a treasured asset to the broad
community of Coachella Valley, Palm
Springs, and especially to the LGBT community.
His eclectic creativity is demonstrated
in the various activities of his participation,
from creating art, to advocating
for human rights. The two pieces of art
created by Francisco, shown in this article,
represent, first, an ink drawing produced as
a young student in Chili, and now incorporated
in the painting, titled, “closet”.
This depicts the frustration and restrictions
he felt of not being able to express his creativity
and sexuality. The second painting
titled, “Out”, illustrates a figure with raised
arms, embracing the freedom and elation of
emancipated self expression.
If you have questions or comments,
contact me at
adamsartexpose@gmail.com
24 Your weekly LGBT Gay Desert Guide. View our Free Digital Version on-line.