About Us
Saviana Arts is a collaboration between Nuyorican* artists Sara Morales (The Bronx) and Vivian Lipman-Denis (Loisaida**).
We began collaborating artistically in 2009; participating in weekly art sessions both indoors and en plein air. We draw our inspiration from interactions with our community, attending cultural events, and observing everyday moments on the streets of our beloved New York City.
Using oil on canvas, pastels, watercolor, pencil, and acrylic; we try to depict the unadorned yet intricate events that make up the robust New York experience paying particular interest to the culturally rich Nuyorican community.
On occasion, we also capture vignettes of our island heritage from our collective memories and commit them to canvas.
Our goal is to expose, as well as, educate others to our unique yet prodigious community through our art.
* Nuyorican (nü-yȯr-ˈrē-kən) is a portmanteau of the terms "New York" and "Puerto Rican" refers to the members or culture of the Puerto Rican diaspora located in or around New York State especially the New York City area.
** Loisaida (Low-ees-Ah-ee-dah): Derived from the Nuyorican pronunciation of "Lower East Side".
Sara Morales
Portrait of Sara by Vivan Lipman-Denis.
Sara Morales is a New York City born Puerto Rican artist. Her life experiences from her time in El Barrio, the Bronx, and La Isla del Encanto has shaped much of her work. Her life-long love affair with art began at a very early age; winning an art scholarship while still in grade school.
She would later graduate from the High School of Art & Design. She expanded her palate with additional art training at Hostos Community College, the 92nd Street Y, and the Bronx River Art Center.
In 2009, Sara and Vivian joined forces and founded Saviana Arts, where they put to canvass the culture of their beloved Puerto Rican and Nuyorican heritage. Much of their work chronicles the humanity of their families’ traditions. They continue to apply their medium as their respective journeys into their cultural selves take them to different times, places and experiences.
Sara Morales is a member of The Puerto Rican Institute for the Development of the Arts (PRIDA).
New Pieces
These are Sara's pieces from 2021 and later.
Earlier Pieces
These are Sara's pieces that were done in 2020 and before.
Vivian Lipman-Denis
Portrait of Vivian by Sara Morales.
Vivian Lipman-Denis was born and raised in the Lower East Side of New York City. After graduating from LaGuardia’s High School of Music and Art, she spent the better part of the 80’s and 90’s living in various towns in Puerto Rico. However, the southeastern town of Yauco; El Pueblo del Cafe was, and still remains, the town closest to her heart. Those years formed the basis of much of Vivian’s future artistic vision in Puerto Rican Art.
After discovering her love for painting while vacationing in Vermont, she enrolled in art studies at Brooklyn College. Her love of oil on canvas was further reinforced while continuing her studies at the 92nd Street Y, the Student Art League, the Pastel Society of America, and the Educational Alliance.
Vivian Lipman-Denis is a member of The Puerto Rican Institute for the Development of the Arts (PRIDA).
New Pieces
These are Vivian's pieces from 2021 and later.
Earlier Pieces
These are Vivian's pieces from 2020 and earlier.
