Local StoriesMay 22, 2023

Meet Dory Perdomo

Local Stories

Today, we’d like to introduce you to Dory Perdomo. Dory was introduced to us by the brilliant and talented Michael Dergar.

Dory , can you walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My name is Dory Perdomo Medina and I am originally from Colombia. I was born near Florencia, Caquetá, into a family of cattle ranchers. When I was 5 years old, my father passed away and I moved to the city of Florencia to begin my primary education. It was during my time living in the port city of Buenaventura that I had my first encounter with painting. The religious sisters of the Vincentian order taught me my initial lessons in pictorial art. Later on, I pursued a degree in Chemical Engineering at the University of Quindío.

In 1985, I got married and moved to Mazatlán, Mexico. That same year, I relocated to the United States where I lived for 6 years. In 1992, I returned to Mexico and settled in Monterrey. It was there that I rekindled my love for painting and continued my formal studies at the Casa de la Cultura, La Pérgola, and the Taller de Experimentación Plástica de Monterrey. Upon returning to Mazatlán, I joined the workshops at Casa Pacifica and later enrolled in the Municipal Center for Arts and Culture. To date, I have participated in 20 individual exhibitions and approximately 50 collective shows in the fields of painting, graphics, sculpture, and photography, both in Mexico and abroad.

We’ve heard great things about your organization. For our readers who might not be as familiar, can you please tell them about the organization?
The Academy of Special Dreams Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing opportunities for artists with disabilities to showcase their talents. The foundation was founded in 2009 by Michael Dergar, who himself has cerebral palsy and understands firsthand the challenges faced by artists with disabilities in gaining recognition for their work. At the Academy of Special Dreams Foundation, we believe that art should be accessible to everyone, regardless of physical or intellectual ability. We provide a platform for artists with disabilities to share their unique perspectives and creative talents with the world. Through our website and various events, we showcase the artwork of these talented individuals and provide them with opportunities to connect with potential buyers, collectors, and art enthusiasts. I am also the founder of Centro Cultural BAUPRES and What sets us apart from others is our commitment to inclusivity and our focus on artists with disabilities. We believe that art can be a powerful tool for breaking down barriers and promoting understanding and empathy. By providing a platform for artists with disabilities, we hope to inspire others to see beyond physical and cognitive differences and appreciate the richness and diversity of the human experience. As a brand, we are most proud of the impact that we have had on the lives of the artists that we support. We currently have a inclusive art program in Mazatlan, Mexico proving opportunities to emerging artists in collaboration to the Academy, Cultura Mazatlan and Museo Municipal de las Artes. We have seen firsthand the transformative power of art and how it can provide a sense of purpose, pride, and accomplishment to individuals with disabilities. We are also proud of the community that we have built around our foundation, which includes artists, volunteers, donors, and supporters who share our vision of a more inclusive and compassionate world.

So, as we mentioned to our audience earlier, you were introduced to us by Michael Dergar and we really admire them and what they’ve built. For folks who might not be as familiar, can you tell them a bit about your experience with Michael.
Michael Dergar is a well-known international artist and disability rights advocate. using his unique perspective to create vibrant and expressive artworks that celebrate the beauty and diversity of the human experience.

Dergar founded The Academy of Special Dreams Foundation in 2009 as a way to provide opportunities for artists with disabilities to showcase their talents. Through the foundation, he aims to promote greater understanding and inclusivity of individuals with disabilities and to break down the barriers that prevent them from fully participating in the arts and I feel honor to be part of his team as a community Ambassador and to join forces to make a more inclusive society in the arts.

I met Michael at my gallery in Mazatlan, Mexico 4 years ago and he shared his mission of inclusion in the arts with me and my team al Centro Cultural BAUPRES. I was fascinated for what I heard!!!

I also learned about The Academy of Special Dreams Foundation through its website, where I was impressed by its mission and the quality of the artwork showcased there. The foundation has created an online gallery that features a diverse range of artists with disabilities, including painters, sculptors, photographers, and performers. The website also includes information on upcoming events, artist profiles, and ways to support the foundation’s work.

I admire Michael Dergar’s inclusive work because it demonstrates that people with disabilities can be talented, creative, and productive members of society. By providing a platform for artists with disabilities to share their work, he is helping to raise awareness about the challenges faced by this community and to promote greater acceptance and inclusion. I believe that his work is an important step towards a more equitable and compassionate society that values the contributions of all individuals, regardless of their abilities.