September 21, 2025 - Leonela Alejandro

🎶 Leonela Alejandro Opens the Chicago Artopia’s International Guitar Series 🎶

We were honored to partner with The Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture as we hosted an unforgettable evening with Leonela Alejandro, GFA-winning classical guitarist from Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, as she opened the inaugural Chicago Artopia’s International Guitar Series.

For the first time, the concert took place on the museum’s 3rd floor within the powerful BELONGING Exhibit, surrounding the audience with moving artworks that deepened the evening’s emotional resonance. As music filled the space, the themes of this season- sound, story, and dance - came vividly to life.

An audience of all ages and backgrounds, including students from Hubbard High School, gathered to witness this magical intersection of cultures, generations, and artistic expressions. With Leonela’s performance, we celebrated not only exceptional musicianship but the shared human experience at the heart of this new concert series.

Right to Left: Violeta and Lucina welcome guests to Chicago Artopia's first performance of the season, expressing heartfelt gratitude to our supporters, sponsors, donors, and community partners whose generosity and collaboration make our programs and
Sigita Balzekas, President and Interim Executive Director of the Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture, welcomes guests to the museum and introduces beLonging, the museum's newest art exhibition. Her introduction set the tone for an evening celebrati
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Meet and Greet with Leonela Alejandro: Connecting with Audiences
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Group Photo with Hubbard High School Students
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A Full-Circle Moment at Hubbard High School

One of the most memorable moments of the outreach event came when one of Violeta's former first-grade students - now a high school senior - stopped by to reconnect with her (pictured in the last photo). Their reunion served as a powerful reminder of the lasting impact educators and artists can have on young lives. Moments like these underscore the importance of bringing the arts into schools and reflect the heart of Chicago Artopia's outreach mission. We are grateful to Hubbard High School for partnering with us to make this meaningful experience possible. See More Photos