Café -- the strong coffee that infuses the intense social character of Cuban life -- is significant and singular in its flavor, aroma, and density. This robust brew is the subject of an upcoming exhibit at Augusta Savage Gallery, CAFÉ: The Journeys of Cuban Artists. Curated by artist and Mount Holyoke College professor Leandro Soto, CAFÉ will feature works by eight contemporary Cuban artists: Ana Albertina Delgado, Adriano Buergo, Pedro Portal, Yovani Bauta, Isreal Leon, Paulo Simeon, Laura Luna, and Glexis Novoa.

Soto said he selected CAFÉ as the subject for an exhibit because it is inclusive for artists of different generations from this shared cultural background. "I expect from this show that the complexity of Cuban culture will be better understood at a deeper level in the U.S. Our culture is around 500 years old, with a wide variety of cultural integrations. Cuba is a real melting pot of Spaniards, Africans, Chinese, Jews, Arabs, Irishmen, and other Europeans!" said Soto. "I would like that the attending audience could see how every artist in this show plays with this cultural complexity. This is at the base of their creativity! In my point of view, what makes all of them successful artists is how each of them 're-edit' their heritage."

Soto's own work as an artist has always explored elements of the Cuban experience. "I consider that Cuban culture is at the base of all my artistic explorations, meaning that it is very difficult for me to escape my cubanidad," explained Soto. "Like all the artists in this show CAFÉ, I was educated in Cuba under the influences of European, African and Latin American cultures. In my artistic work I keep an open dialogue alive between my cultural heritage and the places where I have lived in a particular moment of my life."

The show's title alludes to the experiences of the Cuban American artists exhibiting their work, and beyond. "In terms of today's global culture, the Cuban experience is extremely useful as a new model for artists that want to integrate different elements in their work," said Soto. "As a curator and as an artist I want to share this result with different audiences."

CAFÉ: The Journeys of Cuban Artists runs Oct. 17 through Nov. 24 in Augusta Savage Gallery in the New Africa House at the University of Massachusetts. The Opening Reception is Oct. 17 from 5 to 7 PM. Leandro Soto will give a Gallery Talk on Oct. 23 at 7 PM. For more information, call the Augusta Savage Gallery at (413) 545-5177.