Orlando Museum of Art announces New Spring Exhibition, Juan David Tena: Portraits of FusionFest
- Alastair Mac
- Mar 7
- 3 min read
Juan David Tena: Portraits of FusionFest, an exhibition honoring Central Florida’s multicultural population, will open to the public on March 14.
The Orlando Museum of Art (OMA) today announces its newest exhibition, Juan David Tena: Portraits of FusionFest, presented by Massey Services. The exhibition will run from March 14 to May 4.
FusionFest is a nonprofit dedicated to celebrating the diverse people and cultures that make Central Florida vibrant. FusionFest’s annual festival has taken place every Thanksgiving weekend for the past seven years. The event combines dance, visual arts, fashion, educational talks, cultural displays and culinary presentations in Downtown Orlando supporting local vendors and artists.
Juan David Tena: Portraits of FusionFest is a series of 22 photographs showcasing the portraits of Central Florida residents captured by photographer Juan David Tena during the sixth and seventh FusionFest festival celebrations.
Each photograph in the exhibition honors the subject as an ambassador of their culture and nation of origin. For these portraits, FusionFest invited participants attending the festival to sit for Tena, fully adorned in the garments of their culture of origin. Each pro bono session was an opportunity for human connection and to immortalize the lives of people who often feel unrepresented.
“Our festivals draw thousands of attendees from more than 100 different cultural backgrounds,” Maria Fernanda Saavedra, President of the Board of Directors and representative of FusionFest, said. “We are thrilled to partner with the Orlando Museum of Art to showcase Juan David Tena’s powerful portraits, which beautifully capture the stories and identities of the people who bring FusionFest to life.”
Tena is an internationally recognized photographer specializing in humanitarian, cultural, and political photography. As the official photographer for Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos, he documented historic events, including the signing of the Colombian peace agreement in Cuba, the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in Oslo, and Pope Francis' visit to Colombia. Through his lens, Tena explores the intersection of storytelling and social impact, making his work a natural fit for FusionFest’s mission.
Tena’s photography for FusionFest weaves together the rich cultural backgrounds of his subjects and that of Central Florida, showcasing the vibrant connections that thrive within the local community. The resulting portraits in the exhibition are testament to Central Florida’s multicultural population.
“This exhibition is an ode to unity, culture, and the resilient spirit defining immigrants,” Tena said. “It is more than an artistic endeavor; it is a declaration that our many cultures of origin aren’t merely a facet but rather the essence of our strength as a nation.”
The exhibition will open March 14, and a free opening reception will take place March 20 from 6-8 p.m. This special night will feature a vibrant program of captivating dance performances, inspiring speeches, and more.
Tena himself will also be leading Art Sandwiched In – an informal lunchtime program held monthly – on March 20, where he will discuss the exhibition.
“Art has the power to foster understanding across cultural boundaries. At the Orlando Museum of Art, we work to celebrate rich, diverse cultures and the unique perspectives they bring to the creative world,” said Cathryn Mattson, CEO of the Orlando Museum of Art. "Through Portraits of FusionFest, we are ensuring individuals from every background to feel seen, heard, and valued through the universal language of artistic expression.”
For more information about OMA's exhibitions and programs, visit www.omart.org.
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