Artist's work rooted in Ybor's history of literacy

September is National Literacy Month, and it's a good time to remember favorite books and the people who taught us our ABCs. Artist Elio López would cite his grandfathers - Spanish-born labor activist and master cigar maker Servando López and Cuban-born lector Wilfredo Rodriguez - for instilling his love of learning. Not only did these men inspire López's education, they also were huge players in the push for literacy among Cuban, Spanish and Italian immigrants in Tampa.

To celebrate literacy today and yesterday, the Louise & Arnold Kotler Art Gallery will unveil López's painting "El Lector" (The Lector) Wednesday as part of the artist's exhibition that opened Wednesday and runs through Sept. 29. The event is free and open to the public.

López's grandfathers and their contributions to education inspired him to create "El Lector."

"I'm a history buff," López said. "I was reading Gary Mormino's book, 'The Immigrant World of Ybor City,' and I started thinking of doing something to honor my grandfathers. They risked their lives to do what they did. They never got the recognition they deserved."

The artist's maternal grandfather is Tampa's last surviving lector, or reader. From 1919 to 1921 and 1926 to 1931, Wilfredo read aloud to Ybor City's cigar rollers on the factory floor. Like other lectors, he received his wages from the workers, entertaining and educating them by reading everything from literature to newspaper articles.

"Lectors established the first libraries here. They lobbied for funding of secondary schools. They educated the workers and then the workers themselves, as they learned more, wanted more of their rights," López said.

An educated workforce is hard to control, and factory owners blamed lectors for inciting dissent. While employers tried to get rid of the readers (sometimes through violence), labor activists like Servando, López's paternal grandfather, fought for workers' rights and to preserve the lectors' place in the cigar industry.

Eventually, cigar makers were unionized but, in return, were forced to give up the source of their enlightenment. Ybor City's lectors were silenced in 1931.

"El Lector," a mixed-medium spectrum on wood, tells that story through symbolism and an evocation of emotion.

"I want this piece to honor what these guys did and to express the struggle they went through. I want people to realize the importance of education and literacy and to honor my heritage," López said.

ART PREVIEW

WHAT: An unveiling and artist reception with Elio López

WHEN: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 8

WHERE: The Louise & Arnold Kotler Art Gallery, John F. Germany Public Library, 900 N. Ashley Drive, Tampa

HOW MUCH: Free