Grand Prairie Sculptor Promotes Mental Health Awareness Through Art

Published on August 23, 2024

Joaquin Soto came to the United States as an immigrant when he was only 7 years old.  The first thing he remembers seeing when he got to his new home was Grand Prairie's Uptown Theater.  

Now he has his very own art exhibit at the historic venue. 

"Having my own exhibit here at The Uptown is full-circle," Soto said.  "It's breathtaking just to have this opportunity."

The "Diffusing The Stigma" exhibit is on display through August 29th.  Through it, Soto hopes to hopes to raise awareness about mental health support resources for communities of color.

"I like working with scrap metal in particular," Soto said.  "We all have  past, we all have a present, we all have a future, and we all get discarded at one point, just like the pieces in my work."

Soto will discuss his story and his mission onstage at the closing reception for "Diffusing The Stigma" August 29th at 6:00 p.m.at The Uptown Theater.