arts & entertainment

As the days lengthen and flowers burst into bloom, Vero Beach residents and visitors can enjoy another springtime favorite: the annual Spring Art Show in The Galleries at First Pres! On Sunday, April 12, the public is invited to an opening reception from 1:00 PM until 3:00 PM at 520 Royal Palm Boulevard in Vero Beach, for the Spring Art Show at First Presbyterian Church.

During the afternoon event, art enthusiasts are invited to stroll through two gallery spaces at First Presbyterian and view the colorful work of standout artists Viviana Molinares and Edward Tejeiro. Ms. Molinares is a Cuban-American artist whose practice reflects a dialogue between cultural heritage, contemporary aesthetics, and immersive design. Mr. Tejeiro’s art is informed by his long career as a psychotherapist, and reflects a search for balance between tension and release, darkness and light, fragmentation and wholeness. The artists will be on hand during the reception to meet the public and answer questions about the pieces curated for the show. Dr. Jacob Craig, Director of Music and Arts at First Presbyterian Church of Vero Beach and a popular local pianist, will provide piano music during the reception, and visitors can enjoy free refreshments as they peruse the artists’ work.

The Galleries at First Pres are open from noon to 3:00 PM Monday through Thursday and on Sunday mornings between church services. The art of Molinares and Tejeiro will remain on display in the church galleries for the duration of the show, which runs through June 30. Admission is free and open to the community. For more information about the Spring Art Show, visit www.FirstPresVero.org or call (772) 562-9088.       

Manuel Lopez, Artist Coordinator for the Galleries at First Pres is the award-winning author of nearly a dozen books of poetry and short stories in both Spanish and English. Lopez works alongside the galleries’ curator, Suze Lavender, to choose the featured artists for the seasonal art shows at First Presbyterian Church of Vero Beach. The Spring Art Show will run through June 30th.

“We’re happy to present the work of two outstanding artists for our spring show,” said Mr. Lopez. “Their exceptional work will be on display from now until June, but people who attend the reception can meet the artists in person and learn more about the art firsthand.”

The Galleries at First Presbyterian feature a wide variety of works by local artists, on rotation throughout the year. The Galleries are located on the campus of First Presbyterian Church, 520 Royal Palm Boulevard, Vero Beach. They are open for viewing from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM Monday through Thursday and on Sunday mornings between church services. Admission is free and open to the community.

The Spring Art Show is just one of many events sponsored by First Presbyterian Church of Vero Beach, known for its musical and artistic outreach to the Central Florida community. For a list of upcoming concerts or for more information about First Presbyterian of Vero Beach, visit www.FirstPresVero.org.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS —

Viviana Molinares

Viviana Molinares was born in Cuba but moved to the United States as an infant. Her formative years were spent in Virginia. She graduated from the University of Miami with a Bachelor’s of Fine Art degree in design and illustration, afterwards taking numerous graduate courses at Florida International University and Barry University.

Immediately following graduation, Ms. Molinares began working as a graphic and set designer for a local television station and was promoted a few months later to the position of assistant art director to the national network. In this capacity, she worked both locally and abroad as needed.

Ms. Molinares created sets for commercials, special events, game shows and soap operas. Ford selected her to do a one-woman exhibition in the Wynwood Art District; among many other projects, she designed and built a tabletop set for a Disney Halloween commercial (which she also art directed), sets for Office Depot, Imagos Plastic Surgery, Sabor a México, Homenaje a Lucho Gatica, a music video for Chayanne. She was a featured artist in Big Brothers’ fundraiser (Under Improvement), and in several His House galas.

For the past few years Ms. Molinares has worked as associate director in Europe and the UK with Sign Dance Collective, providing visual art, costumes and art direction.

She enjoys working from her home studio and spending time with her family.

Edward Tejeiro – 

As a psychotherapist for many years, my journey in the art of healing profoundly shapes my artistic expression. The practice of psychotherapy invites me into the complex, raw, and often unspoken dimensions of the human condition. In this space of vulnerability, resilience, and transformation, I have learned to see beyond words– into the subtleties of emotion, body language, and the nuances of silence.

The therapeutic process is one of discovery and integration. My art reflects this same journey– a search for balance between tension and release, darkness and light, fragmentation and wholeness. It is an invitation for the viewer to engage with their own psyche, to reflect on the complexity of their emotions, and to find meaning in the spaces in between.

Ultimately, my work as a therapist informs my art, and my art informs my work as a therapist. Both are deeply connected to my understanding of what it means to be human: the struggles, the growth, the moments of clarity, and the ongoing process of becoming. Through my art, I hope to evoke the depth of this experience, offering viewers a mirror into themselves and a reminder of our shared capacity for healing.

ABOUT FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH– First Presbyterian Church of Vero Beach, founded in 1958, is a congregation of about 800 members with a vision for mission and ministry to represent the heart of the Reformed Tradition. The church serves Indian River County and beyond, covering worship and service to meet the needs of the community. It is located at 520 Royal Palm Boulevard in Vero Beach. For more information about First Presbyterian services or upcoming music or art-related events, contact the office at (772) 562-9088 or visit www.firstpresvero.org. Under the guidance of Dr. Jacob Craig, Director of Music and Arts, the music department consists of a Chancel Choir, Handbell Ensemble, and a comprehensive youth music program with Wind Ensemble, Choir, and Orchestra. The church is also home to The Galleries at First Pres, a collection of spaces throughout the campus dedicated to a rotating collection of curated art. First Presbyterian is also the home of the Vero Beach Pipes and Drums, PRIMO School of Performing Arts, and the Vero Beach Choral Society. For more information, visit www.FirstPresVero.org