Riverside, Calif., September 18, 2000-- Eight international artists contribute to "Space 2000," an art exhibit in the Brandstater Gallery of La Sierra University (LSU). The exhibit, co-sponsored by the Latin American Art Museum, runs from Sept. 25 to Oct. 18 and includes artwork as diverse as the artists that created it.

 The group of artists who contribute to "Space 2000" bring influences from numerous countries that range from Argentina to Cuba, and Puerto Rico to Chile. The artists, drawing from rich cultural backgrounds, employ media and techniques they believe communicate, explore, and challenge an idea or message.

 The artists included in the exhibit are:

 -Angie Culasso. Culasso, was born in Santiago, Chile. Artwork is especially important to her because has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Despite her double vision and unsteady hands, Culasso explores color, texture, and paper in her work of brilliant and dynamic colors.

 -Mario Gee Lopez. Lopez, born in San Pedro, Honduras, experiments with the layers, complexity, and unpredictability of the natural world in his paintings. In his artist statement, Lopez says, "Through diverse content, I seek out strange psychological juxtapositions in order to challenge the viewer."

 -Draco Maturana. In his artist statement, Maturana says that, for him, art serves as a means of expressing and addressing strong emotions while not necessarily requiring directed confrontation. For each expression, Maturana endeavors to find the media that most suits it.

 -Graciela Nardi. Nardi, born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, says that she uses color and texture in her art to view relationships and human behavior. Nardiâs work in "Space 2000" combines a canvas, net, and primarily black, red, and white paint. Her artist statement calls Nardiâs work "a metaphor of my life."

 -Barbara Rueda. Rueda, born in Havana, Cuba, was interested in art from a very early age. Her style is "figurative-expressionist with a sophisticated oriental technique," according to her artist statement. Ruedaâs work centers around womenâs themes in the changing environment and society.

 -Elsa Scavuzzo. Scavuzzo says "the most important source of my inspiration is my family." Scavuzzo hopes that her sculptures, which often feature intimate family moments, communicate some of what is "wonderful and simple in our existence."

 -Javier Suarez, Jr. Suarez, in his artist statement, talks about his work as attempting to explore what he calls the "in-between." His work is two-dimensional, yet gives the perception of three-dimensional space. He does this by layering seemingly unrelated objects.

 -Kathy Yorba.  Yorba, in her artist statement, describes her work as a kind of exploration for truth. She explains that in painting, Truth does not always come easily. She says, "Inspiration and rhythm are what give purpose" to the marks she makes on the canvas.

 The opening reception is on Monday, Oct. 9, from 6 - 8 p.m. The artistsâ lectures follow the reception.

The Brandstater Gallery is located on the campus of LSU and is open Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Sunday 2 - 5 p.m.