ROBERTO ESPEJO is a new volunteer at the Guilford Art Center, whose expertise and enthusiasm are firing fresh projects this spring.

Espejo is an architect who worked with Cesar Pelli's firm for almost 23 years. He had recently completed 14 years as Senior Project Manager/Designer and Senior Site Representative for the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami. This past summer, he opened his firm, "Roberto Architects/ Collaborative Studio" in New Haven with former colleagues and students, which specializes in photography, exhibits, community lectures, event planning and an exciting range of mixed used projects from residential to small commercial, institutional to large urban redevelopments. The office is centered around a philosophy of "community of collaboration at every level," Espejo says.
Espejo grew up in Illinois, after his parents immigrated from Cuba in the 1950's. While at University of Illinois, he spent a year in Versailles and Paris where, he "undeniably fell in love with architecture and photography." He worked in Barcelona for architect Ricardo Bofill and, following graduation, moved to New Haven to work with Pelli, who served on his thesis review. He earned his Master of Architecture from Yale and lectured in photography in the Yale School of Architecture until 2001.

Espejo is slated to curate Built in the GAC gallery, an exhibition of photographs by architects. "Because I teach photography to architecture students, I have always been interested in their unique perspective in the world." A show he organized in New Haven last summer, Architects Taking Pictures, was "a real hit," he says. "The images were in a somewhat random order, varied sizes and parlor style, enveloping the entire gallery. With Built we want to expand with work by architects from along the shoreline who will consider the expressive possibilities of the premise and create a visually exciting show." Espejo will also be involved with development of a digital photography lab at the Center.

Espejo found the Guilford Art Center through his friend and former Pelli colleague, Rob Charney, a member of the GAC board of directors. He and Jean Perkins also discovered their mutual passion for photography, the arts and the importance of community. "Our first meeting was inspiring and motivating. I wanted to help immediately. Having spent 6 years in Miami, I have been eager to return "home" and contribute to organizations that could really enrich our regional arts community." Espejo's community embrace is broad: he was also formerly on the board of Habitat for Humanity in New Haven, a volunteer at the St Thomas Moore Chapel soup kitchen, and former President of the Yale School of Architecture Alumni Association.

Guilford Art Center could not survive without the passion and energy of volunteers like Espejo. The Center welcomes new volunteers, who can often find great new friends with common interests and a sense of purpose.