ArtBrazil artist Henry Rian Rojas.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – More than 1,200 guests attended the fifth annual ArtBrazil gallery reception at ArtServe, which featured a diverse array of artwork from nearly three dozen Brazilian artists. Held in conjunction with Brazilian Independence Day, the multi-media exhibition displayed a vibrant and colorful fusion of diverse artistic forms and styles.

“ArtBrazil is a celebration of art that reflects the vitality of Brazilian culture and Latin diaspora,” said ArtServe President and CEO Jaye Abbate. “The exhibition brings together South Florida’s vast Brazilian community through a unique shared experience. It’s also an opportunity to see world-class, inspiring artwork from international artists right here in Fort Lauderdale.”

Founded, produced and curated by Jade Matarazzo, ArtBrazil features works from notable artists that extol Brazil’s influences on today’s contemporary art scene. The month-long exhibit drew more than 3,500 visitors to ArtServe. More than 600 students from Broward and Miami-Dade counties experienced ArtBrazil during field trips.

During the gallery reception, Ambassador Adalnio Senna Ganem of the Consulate-General of Brazil in Miami presented six awards to ArtBrazil participating artists including the Judge’s Panel Award for Painting, the Judge’s Panel Award for Photography, the People’s Choice Award for Painting, the People’s Choice Award for Photography, the ArtBrazil Honors Award and the Media Award for overall outstanding participation.

In partnership with ArtBrazil, Arte Que Salva (Art That Saves) displayed one-of-a-kind artwork available for auction. Founded in 2009 by Eve Picardi, Arte Que Salva is a nonprofit organization that serves children around the world affected by extreme poverty, illness and natural disasters. Arte Que Salva identifies these children and brings them together to create their own art. The artwork is later transformed into masterpieces by professional artists and sold or auctioned. One hundred percent of the proceeds go back to the children through projects specifically designed to meet their needs, including the creation of schools, water tanks and pumps, community kitchens and more. Children in Haiti, Brazil, Mozambique, the United States and Guinea-Bissau have benefitted from Arte Que Salva.

ArtBrazil is sponsored by Banco Do Brasil, Consulado-Geral Do Brasil Em Miami, Galeria Espaco Arte, Advanced US, MABI, Broward County Cultural Division, Arte Que Salva, EyeContact – Lives shaped by Autism, inWeston Magazine and TEBEART.

ArtServe is located at located at 1350 E. Sunrise Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale. ArtServe gallery hours are Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission to the gallery is free. For more information, visit www.ArtServe.org.