About the Artist

AGalban, Fine Artist

Edel Alvarez Galban was born on September 28, 1967, in Havana, Cuba where he was raised. He showed early artistic inclination in his youth, although his initial professional intent was to pursue a medical career in Cuba. However, in 1993 Galban was denied permission from the Castro government to practice medicine, therefore he redirected his aspirations back to his passion for the arts. The following year he completed fine arts education from the Federico Engel Art School in Havana where he studied sculpture and draftsmanship.

In 1995 Galban permanently emigrated to the United States where he joined the Cuban exile community in Miami. There he continued his medical studies and enlisted in the United States Army as a medic where he served for three years. He also continued to pursue and establish his art career. During his Miami period, Galban became connected to significant figures of the Cuban exile art community such as painters Hortensia Gronlier, José Mijares, and Cundo Bermúdez.

In 2001 Galban relocated to St. Petersburg, Florida, which then became the permanent base for both his art and medical professions. Since relocating to St. Petersburg, Galban gradually emerged as among the most visible Cuban artists of the region as well as a proponent of Cuban art throughout Central Florida, having frequently exhibiting his work throughout Tampa, Orlando, and Clearwater, as well as supporting other Cuban artists. Galban is the recipient of the Beyond Place-Making Grant funded by the National Endowment for the Arts and Creative Pinellas.

Visit: Edel Alvarez Galban - Wikipedia to learn more!