Doris Nogueira-Rogers, Michelle Ángela Ortiz, Marilyn Rodriguez-Behrle and Marta Sanchez have something in common: The four Philadelphian Latina artists want to continue the legacy of well-known Mexican painter Frida Kahlo and to inspire other women. Born from this desire is the exhibition "Frida and Me Common Threads" which will open next February 1st in Projects Gallery in Northern Liberties.

"Frida Kahlo was a model for us. Through this exhibition we not only want to show our admiration of her work but that we are fighting to continue it ", Ortiz said. She confirmed that they were inspired by the upcoming centenial exhibition of the birth of Kahlo at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, which runs between the 20th of February and the 18th of May.

Rodriguez-Berhle says she is fascinated with the value of Kahlo and how she used her paintings to say what she felt and to illustrate her reality. This is something that the Puerto Rican also incorporates into her art in which she reflects upon the problems that people see every day in their neighborhoods like drugs, homicides and homelessness.

Inspiring Future Leaders

Three of these Latina artists in conjunction with the Education Department of the Museum of Arts and Las Gallas artist collective, work with the young people of Temple University teaching them to be leaders through the visual and written arts. Sanchez is helping the young women to keep a diary like the Meixan Painter did to express how they idenitfy with the work and the life of Kahlo.

"What we want is for the women to enrich their lives and write down their problems so that they can observe them and learn from them", says Sanchez, who said that Kahlo was the first person with whom she identified with when she was young.

Whereas Nogueira-Rogers works with unmarried women teaching to them to express their pain, joy and victories through the visual arts.

The exhibition will be open to the public until the 23rd of February in the Projects Gallery, located at 629 North 2nd St. For more information call 267 303 9652.