M.C. Santana Archives | ��logo�� News

Hidden Artists: The Tradition Continues

Sat, 16 Sep 2017 13:00:09 +0000

UPDATE: The Hidden Artists Art Reception on Sept. 7 is cancelled.

The reception date has been rescheduled for Thursday, Sept. 21 @ 4-6 p.m. in the John C. Hitt Library room 223.

“You might find us in front of the classroom or in the office down the hall and yet never suspect the secret we share. We are artists. Whether we have exhibited in galleries around the world or have never shown our work before, we are artists. We present to you our dreams, our hearts, our passion…We are the Hidden Artists.”

��logo�� has many talented employees who use their creativity in their daily jobs. Some of these employees are “visual artists” who create artwork on their own time for themselves, their families and/or for the public. They are the “Hidden Artists.”

The Hidden Artists will exhibit at the John C. Hitt Library from September 1-29, 2017 with a reception on September 21.

Artwork will be exhibited in the library on the Art Wall and in the glass display cases with a variety of styles, subjects and mediums, including photography, mixed media, acrylic, graphic and jewelry.

The exhibit features the talents of: Maribel Amaro-Garcia, Gina Clifton, Pamela Williams Gruen, Jacqui Johnson, Simona Loh, Russ Muller, Fiona Murphy, Judy Bragg Pardo, Brian Pate, Christopher Saclolo, M.C. Santana, and Paul Viau.

“In 2008, I got together a group of creative UCF faculty and staff members; and formed the Hidden Artists,” says Judy Bragg Pardo. “Since that time, I have coordinated nine exhibitions at the UCF John C. Hitt Library. Some members retired or left UCF and new members have joined. This year will be my last year exhibiting as I am retiring at the end of 2017. I wanted to say how proud I am of the dedicated Hidden Artists who have opened their hearts and souls to share their artworks with the UCF community. There were many artists who had never exhibited before and have gone on to enter juried exhibitions and display their art in galleries. Special thanks to Brian Pate who designed our beautiful postcards throughout the years and to those artists who have been with the group from the very beginning. With the collaborative effort of the group members, the Hidden Artists will keep its tradition of exhibiting at the library for years follow.”

Visit the Hidden Artists on Facebook at: and click “Like.” to follow the group.

Hidden Artists membership is open to currently working UCF faculty or staff members who create artwork. For more information, email Judy Bragg Pardo at: judyart23@aol.com.

The ��logo�� John C. Hitt Library is located at 4000 Central Florida Blvd., Orlando, FL 32816. Call the library for hours of operation at 407.823.2580 or visit the website at library.ucf.edu.

Hidden Artists Exhibit at UCF John C. Hitt Library: August 1 – September 2

Mon, 01 Aug 2016 15:26:32 +0000

Artwork will be exhibited in the library on the Art Wall as well in four glass display cases with a variety of styles, subjects, and mediums, including photography, digital photography, mixed media, acrylic, watercolor, graphic, and jewelry.

The exhibit features the talents of: Gina Clifton, Pamela Williams Gruen, Dawn M. Herrod, Jacqui Johnson, Simona Loh, Meredith Malkin, Russ Muller, Fiona Murphy, Judy Bragg Pardo, Brian Pate, and M.C. Santana.

“While many Central Florida art groups formed and sizzled out, I am proud to say the Hidden Artists are strong with their 8th exhibition at the library,” said Judy Bragg Pardo, founder and coordinator of the Hidden Artists. “The exhibition showcases the talents of ��logo�� faculty and staff sharing their creativity with the community. Each creation is a part of us that we share with you. Many artists have gone on to enter juried exhibitions and displayed in other galleries.”

Visit the Hidden Artists on Facebook at: and click on “Like.”

Hidden Artists membership is open to currently working UCF faculty or staff members who create artwork. For more information, email: judyart23@aol.com.

The ��logo�� John C. Hitt Library is located at 4000 Central Florida Blvd., Orlando, FL 32816. Telephone: 407.823.2580 or web: . Call for the Library for hours.

Hidden Artists Exhibit Through September

Tue, 08 Sep 2015 13:36:39 +0000

The Hidden Artists’ exhibition is on display in the John C. Hitt Library through the month of September on the Art Wall as well in two glass display cases with a variety of styles, subjects, and mediums, including photography, digital photography and illustrations, mixed media, acrylic, watercolor, graphic, and jewelry.

Who are the Hidden Artists?

The exhibit features the talents of: Pamela Williams Gruen, Dawn M. Herrod, Jacqui Johnson, Simona Loh, Meredith Malkin, Russ Muller, Judy Bragg Pardo, Brian Pate, Diane Colvin Reitz, M.C. Santana and Tina Tran.

“While many Central Florida art groups formed and sizzled out, I am proud to say the Hidden Artists are strong with their 7th exhibition at the library,” said Judy Bragg Pardo, founder and coordinator of Hidden Artists. “The exhibition showcases the talents of ��logo�� faculty and staff sharing their creativity with the community. Many artists have gone on to enter juried exhibitions and displayed in other galleries.”

Visit the Hidden Artists on Facebook at: and click on “Like.”

Hidden Artists membership is open to currently working UCF faculty or staff members who create artwork. For more information, email: judyart23@aol.com.

The ��logo�� John C. Hitt Library is located at 4000 Central Florida Blvd., Orlando, FL 32816. Telephone: 407.823.2580 or web: .��Fall Library hours: Monday-Thursday: 7:30 a.m.-1:00 a.m., Friday: 7:30 a.m.-7:00 p.m., Saturday: 9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m., Sunday: 12:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m.

UCF’s Santana Honored for Work with Farmworkers in Community

Wed, 16 Oct 2013 18:38:42 +0000

The Central Florida Women’s Resource Center honored UCF associate professor Maria Santana on Tuesday for her efforts to make a difference in women’s issues and in the community.

Surrounded by her colleagues at the Orlando Museum of Art, Santana, director of women’s studies at UCF, received a Summit Award during the organization’s 29th annual event. The award recognizes women who are community role models are visibly supportive of women’s issues, have achieved meritorious goals, and have performed countless hours of community service.

When Santana is not teaching and inspiring young women at UCF, she’s volunteering at the League of Women Voters, the Girl Scouts of Citrus Council, the American Association of University Women, teaching at her church and at the Farmworker Association of Florida. She specifically works with farm workers in Apopka, helping raise awareness about women farmworkers’ plight and helping empower them. It was the Farmworker Association that nominated Santana for the Summit Award.

Santana said she is humbled by the honor, and that she is inspired by the work her fellow honorees do and that other members of the Women’s Resource Center perform often in complete anonymity.

“It is amazing what some of other winners and members do in their free time to help people they might not even know,” Santana said. “It is inspiring and I think necessary for all our wellness.”

The Women’s Resource Center is a nonprofit organization supporting the community by celebrating women’s achievements, connecting with other women’s organizations and supporting women’s social, educational, health, political, economic, spiritual and artistic issues.

College of Arts & Humanities Dean Jose Fernandez, who appointed Santana to director of the Women’s Studies program in 2009, attended the ceremony Tuesday and called the award well earned.

“Dr. Santana’s commitment to improving the lives of women farmworkers is commendable,” Fernandez said. “Her Summit Award exemplifies UCF’s service mission to the community.��We are extremely proud to have a faculty member with the caliber and heart of Dr. Santana.”

Santana joined UCF’s faculty in 1995 as an assistant journalism professor.�� She spent 14 years working with students in the journalism department, which she said has been one of her greatest professional joys.�� She also served and continues to be involved in the journalism master’s thesis and honor’s thesis programs. She served three years as the division head for journalism. She enjoyed her work with journalism students, but when Fernandez asked her to move to Women’s Studies, she said she couldn’t pass up the opportunity.

“The program is needed because no other academic unit teaches history on women’s achievements, problems and struggles,” Santana said of women’s studies at UCF. “Most of the history books in our country only make reference to men’s office, politics, achievements and such. Even the most progressive programs mention women 2 percent of the time or less.”

Others honored Tuesday night were Vanessa Echols, WFTV,Channel 9 anchor and Sue Foreman who continues in her retirement to contribute many hours to various local organizations, such as The Valencia College Foundation and The League of Women Voters.

UCF’s ‘Hidden Artists’ to Exhibit Works

Tue, 23 Jul 2013 15:51:37 +0000

A group of ��logo�� staff and faculty members who call themselves the Hidden Artists and create artwork on their own time will host an exhibit during August in the campus’ John C. Hitt Library.

“You might find us in front of the classroom or in the office down the hall and yet never suspect the secret we share. We are artists,” says a news release promoting the show that will be displayed on the library’s main floor. An opening reception with the artists, refreshments and entertainment will be 3:30 to 5 p.m. Aug. 8 in the library’s Room 223, but the exhibit will be open all month during the library’s open hours.

Judy Bragg Pardo, who works in Student Development and Enrollment Services, organized the group, which is assembling its fifth exhibit.

Works from a dozen artists will be displayed on the library’s art wall and four glass display cases. The mediums and styles include photography, acrylic, watercolor, sculpture, mixed media, graphic and digital.

In addition to Pardo, the Hidden Artists in the show are Dawn M. Herrod, Jacqueline Johnson, Simona Loh, Meredith Malkin, Russ Muller, Fiona Murphy, Brian Pate, Diane Colvin Reitz, M.C. Santana, Bridget Savage and Tina Tran. Some of the artists have had their works in juried art exhibitions and at other galleries, said Pardo, who created one of her pieces to celebrate UCF’s 50th anniversary.