Dive into blue with a maestro of Sacramento arts

The details: 

• Latino Center of Arts and Culture, 2700 Front St., Sacramento
• 6 p.m., June 12 opening reception (Friday)
• Free entry

Stan Padilla is respected as one of the region’s most respected elders of the artistic community. At 80 years old, this fount of creativity and wisdom shows no signs of slowing down. He’s spent the last few years traveling around the planet, gathering inspiration from such lands as Italy, Mexico and Egypt. In between, Padilla’s had a busy year with 50th anniversary celebrations of the Royal Chicano Air Force, the art collective in which he is a core member.

Now, a show that Padilla’s been conceptualizing for a decade comes to light with Friday’s opening of “Caminos Mundiales” (“Global Roads”) at the Latino Center of Arts and Culture. It’s a multimedia adventure through Padilla’s paintings, stained glass works, photography and videos.

“This is a new offering and it’s different than people are going to expect,” said Padilla, in a call from his Colfax home. “It’s more like a travelogue. I’m bringing all the results of all my travels back to show in Sacramento.”

The show carries a theme of “In Search of the Color Blue.” Padilla said it represents his journeys to gather blue pigments from around the world, such as Maya Blue and Egyptian Blue. Along with blue lighting and the color blue spotlighted in many of the works, Padilla says the show will feel more like stepping into a temple than an art exhibition.

“Blue has always been a very sacred color in all ancient cultures,” said Padilla. “It’s always shown reverence and sacredness … It’s a sense of the presence of our lives. That’s what blue gives us.”

Along with the upcoming show, Padilla is rebuilding after a fallen oak tree crushed his home studio during recent windstorms. Thankfully, he didn’t lose much artwork. The community has also stepped up to help Padilla during this trying time.

“I have to keep going,” said Padilla. “I’m healthy and I’m thankful.”