ALUMNUS WINS NATIONAL ART AWARDS

Daniel Pontet is captivating the art world with compositional works that lyrically reconstruct the elusive world of symbols. With his mural, “The Green Miami,” the former MDC Art Education major just brought home First Prize in the Miami division of the national 2004 Heineken Hispanic Mural Program. Sponsored by Heineken and GenArt – a leading national not-for-profit organization devoted to showcasing the best emerging talent in the visual arts – the national mural contest pays homage to Hispanic culture in the U.S. Parallel contests were held in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. “The Green Miami,” was reproduced by Heineken at the intersection of Flagler Street and S.W. 27th Avenue.

“The reproduction of the mural represents not only a prize for a contest but also an award for effort and dedication to art,” Pontet said. “It is recognition of the many days and many years that I spent following my dream. Achievement is always possible if we believe in ourselves and remain true to our goals.”

Pontet, who has participated in more than 60 art shows since he began exhibiting in 1975, has other numerous awards to his credit, including second place in the national 2004 Hispanic Heritage Month Art Contest, Columbus, Ohio. In 2003, he won first, second and third place for Best Original Art Work in the Annual Awards Competition at the Association of Free Community Papers Annual Convention in Las Vegas. He also has received numerous honorable and special mentions.

Currently, Pontet is absorbed in a new plastic period he terms “Metamorphosis.” Plastic art refers to the art of shaping, modeling, carving and sculpture and includes pottery and weaving. Ranging from stark realism to compelling abstraction, Pontet’s contemplative works overflow with feelings, thoughts and quiet reflection.

His compositions go far beyond merely descriptive or narrative to emerge as honest expressions of thoughts coalesced into two- or three-dimensional surfaces. Pontet’s collages are characterized by earth colors, from browns to red oxide, and embedded objects, such as keys, nails, washers, pieces of fabric, threads, which develop into potent symbols and metaphors, each conveying a spiritual meaning.

Born in Montevideo, Uruguay, he began his artistic growth in his home country, where he learned drawing and composition, the magic of color and how to place special emphasis on space and shapes. Pontet came to Miami in 1991. He also studied silkscreen, photography and computer graphics to accompany his art education.

“As an immigrant, like many others in this multicultural city of Miami, I feel MDC was a crucial pillar to support me in this country,” Pontet said. “There, I learned the basics for living in a different culture. I had many good teachers at MDC who encouraged me not only to have a better education but also to believe I can do whatever I decide to do if I give my best. I finished my ENS courses in 1998 as an honor student with outstanding academic achievement. I also was a member of Phi Theta Kappa and earned a recognition on the National Dean’s List.”

“Alumni News, Alumnus Wins National Art Awards” by Barbara Bickel (Bickel Communications Inc.)
College Forum, MDC. Vol. 9, No 2. Miami, FL. February 2005 (pg. 2)