Hispanic Heritage Highlight: Josue Martinez
As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, get to know the mastermind behind all the art pieces you see at Corinto Gallery.
Humble Beginnings
Born in Corinto, El Salvador, Josue Martinez came to the United States at the young age of 10. Not yet knowing the English language, Josue would use his drawings to help communicate with his classmates. A few years later, his art teacher in High School would nominate Josue to be one of only two students chosen to attend Suitland High School, a magnet school for visual and performing arts in Prince George’s County. Josue was a natural and quickly impressed his Suitland High School art teacher, Dr. Carol Thompson, better known as “Doc,” to the students. Doc would help Josue apply for grants and scholarship money to help pay for his education at Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) in Baltimore.
While at MICA, Josue became a freelance artist and would create professional brand designs and logos for many of the surrounding businesses. He quickly developed an extensive clientele list and realized that his creations sold exceptionally well. Seeing this gave him the confidence Josue needed to open his own business, and in September of 2013 he did, and he called it Corinto Gallery. He would now be able to create his own art and later develop his very own unique art gallery atmosphere. Growing up in the DMV Josue has always had a love and appreciation for his home and its melting pot of cultures. In 2013, Josue would unknowingly begin what is now called the “DC Series” with the creation of “Gangsta George.” The DC Series embodies an array of art and designs that wrap the culture and people of DC into a beautiful, fun and vibrant visual expression educating the world about life in the District.
Giving Back Where It Matters
A humanitarian in his own right, Josue became an integral part of the Adams Morgan Community he was always willing to lend a helping hand, whether that meant teaching after-school art programs at the Sitar or organizing the Artist Alley for the Adams Morgan Day Festival. Word of Josue’s talent continued to spread throughout the Adams Morgan Community as his unique designs popped up all around the district. There was one general consensus that was made about his art; everyone loved it! Today more than 20 designs have been created for the “DC Series” collection alone. His art and designs can be seen worldwide; and have caught the attention of Mayor Muriel Bowser, the U.S. Ambassador of El Salvador, Milena Mayorga, and most recently the National Hip Hop Museum of DC.
Representation Matters
Martinez's art is not just about the District. Many of Josue’s designs and fine art contain Latin inspiration, for example, the “Día de Los Muertos” Panda and the “Luchador” Panda. Both are a combination of two cultures, Josue’s Latin culture and the culture of the District. Fine art such as the Aztec Indian, Santos Luchador Mask, and the King and Queen alebrije lion heads are also a few great pieces you will find at Corinto Gallery. Josue has always looked for a new way to connect his art with his own culture and heritage. Then one day, it happened! The U.S. Ambassador of El Salvador, Milena Mayorga, requested to come and see Corinto Gallery at the National Harbor and interviewed Josue. After the interview was published, Josue started to see and meet people coming into the gallery from his hometown in Corinto, El Salvador. Not only did they know of Josue’s family, but they were extremely proud of Josue and that he had named his art gallery “Corinto,” after his home. He even had an entire family show up one evening at the gallery, who had driven down from Canada to visit the DC area, and the main attraction they wanted to see while they were here was Corinto Gallery. Meeting Josue that night made their whole trip wonderful.
This revelation has given Josue a new sense of pride in himself, who he is, where he comes from, and what he does. His Latino-inspired clothing line has recently launched, with his latest design “Que Dios te Bendiga,” and he’s just getting started. Stay tuned to see what is on the horizon. This year in celebration of Hispanic Heritage month Corinto Gallery will be putting together a Salsa band, and delicious Latino food. Come out and celebrate with us on October 9th from 6 – 8pm at the National Harbor Plaza, stay tuned for more details.
