Woodside:
Brian Arnez is a Graphic Design Media Specialist who hails from Woodside Queens, with heavy Bolivian roots.
Growing up Brian attended P.S. 12 James B. Colgate in Woodside from Kindergarten through 5th grade, then I.S. 125 Thomas J. Mccann also in Woodside for his junior high school years from 6th through the 8th grade.
He ventured out of his home neighborhood and into Long Island City to attend Robert F. Wagner Jr. Secondary School for Arts & Technology, then stayed in LIC to attend LaGuardia Community College.
At LaGuardia Community College he received Undergrad Associates Degree in New Media Studies in 2017 then went on to Queens College; to receive his Undergrad Bachelors Degree in Fine Arts - Design in 2020.
Of his creative process while at work and on his free time, “Nothing ever comes in easy and we do have to make sacrifices in our lives to achieve want we want.”
He adds, “I got a creative imagination that most people think I’m unrealistic about it, but I can only think that my personality and sense of humor is what separates me from the rest in a positive way.”
When he is not excelling at his day job in the media world Brian is dedicated to working out in the mornings, playing soccer, designing shirts and investigating anything that involves instructions.
He also takes a particularly special pride and joy with his participation as a dancer with the Bolivian Caporal group, “Caporales San Simon NY.”
The Caporales San Simon NY are an off-shoot of the Bolivian based Fraternidad Folklórica y Cultural Caporales Universitarios de San Simón ("Caporales San Simón").
The group was founded in Cochabamba, Bolivia on November 22, 1978 by a group of residents from Oruro, Bolivia, alumni of the "Universidad Mayor de San Simón", for the purpose of retaining and growing its ancient customs. This group of youths decided to create a dance group of Caporales as a means to demonstrate their devotion to the Virgin Mary of the Socavón as well as to be able to participate in the Carnival in Oruro. For this reason, the "Universidad Mayor de San Simón" gives them support as it considers them a positive representation of Bolivian folklore.” - via @wikipedia
Brian’s favorite soccer teams are FC Barcelona, Man City, NYC FC, Club Bolivar and locally roots for the New York Knicks.
Come out to meet Brian and his dance group Caporales San Simon in Jackson Heights on Saturday October 22nd at 12:00noon for the Bolivian Day Parade.
Words by Adolfo Steve Vazquez Photo by Brian Arnez