"With this exhibition, The Center is crawling with life—birds, canyons, creation myths, Lady Justice with a piñata at the U.S.-Mexico border, and a frightened Lady Liberty sweating it out, eyeing the hands of new arrivals straining to gain purchase on her pedestal."

"We acknowledge the sacrifices of previous generations and salute them for building a better country and world filled with opportunities for us all. With Latino heritage, and as Americans, we stand stronger than ever and in solidarity with our fellow countrymen and women."

"Our gallery space has hosted exhibitions from sources far and wide,” said Brewer. “I’m thrilled that we’ll be showcasing Raúl Manzano’s work for National Hispanic Heritage Month. His history as an immigrant informs his work and I’m sure others who see it will be as moved as we were."

"We are proud to have Raúl Manzano’s art displayed by Borough President Brewer as part of the celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month,” said SUNY Empire State College President Jim Malatras. “Professor Manzano’s artwork, besides being beautiful, challenges the viewer to think in new ways about what it means to be an American."

"I want to also give a shout out to “Field of Dreams” for its visual double intender and interesting appropriation of a famous painting by Diego Rivera, “Calla Lily Vendor.” In the original painting a young woman is kneeling while a man loads a large basket of calla lilies onto her back to sell, such a perfect metaphor for what immigrant populations bring to this country both culturally and by the fruits of their labor.  In “Field of Dreams,” the woman becomes Liberty herself whose head is bent and whose hands are in chains.  Shackled, she is unable to bring her gifts to market."

"I am proud to join SUNY Empire State College to celebrate the rich history and proud heritage of the Latino community during National Hispanic Heritage month. The ‘Many Voices, Muchas Voces’ exhibition highlights the significant role of Latinos in helping to shape this nation and its future. Our voices are culturally significant and our stories help to tell the story of the American Dream in communities around the nation and to audiences around the globe."

"Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month through the artwork of students, alumni and faculty reflects the diversity of those populations and the college’s overall commitment to diversity in its academic enterprise. At the same time, ‘Many Voices, Muchas Voces’ showcases the talent of the college community in the visual arts."

"I was thrilled to hear about the La Raza: Embracing Diversity exhibit, curated by Raúl Manzano," said Megan Mullen, who recently joined the college as the associate dean of Humanities. "One of my great joys during the early months in my position has been seeing the diversity of artistic and cultural expression taking place within Empire State College. I’m especially pleased with what’s happening within my division, which encompasses the arts and humanities disciplines. La Raza represents something we all can celebrate and take part in."

"Raul Manzano’s visual perception of nature and objects poses a natural reality versus an imaginary one in his new exhibit. The freshness and vividness of this new body of work contrasts colors and forms that define the relationship of the elements in the composition. By using a variety of techniques, including under painting, claroscuro, washes and paint drippings that create a visual imagery, the artist infuses a silent, intimate yet natural and dynamic touch. In Contrasts/Contrastes, Manzano juxtaposes these two notions, to intrigue and engage viewers to go on a journey and to discover the meaning of the artist's reality and their own realities."

"His paintings depict and embody the ideal of the Statue of Liberty expressed in different forms to engage the spectator introspectively as a viewer or as someone who's being viewed. The artworks incite impassioned discussions about the true meaning of liberty as viewers reflect on diverse aspects of identity and find themselves drawn into seeing as others see. This interaction and discourse, in image and meaning, is Mr. Manzano's intricate and powerful message."

"Raúl is a sensitive artist whose artworks have been well received by the art community because of their visual appeal, themes and message on important issues. His paintings raise awareness and inspire people to take action. The exhibition meets our goals and objectives of imparting to our students, especially those majoring in the arts, social responsibility and an intellectual, social, emotional and spiritual exploration of their being."

"En América is a ten-year survey of Manzano's work focusing on his socio-political and cultural narratives of the Statue of Liberty and the American and Colombian flags. Manzano's work plays an intrinsic role in the issue of identity, nostalgia, and awareness as experienced through his cross-cultural American and Colombian heritage and world events. His unique imagery is a reflection of his views of a pluralistic society. This exhibition coincides with Mr. Manzano's informal discussion about his immigrant experience to students of the Fairleigh Dickinson University program Puerta al Futuro."

"Raúl Manzano opens up a platform for dialogue with his consciousness raising paintings depicting historical and contemporary events. His works are social and cultural commentaries, which challenge the viewer and encourage awareness in our lives. Raúl, a fellow countryman who immigrated to the United States in search of his artistic dreams, found his voice in patriotic symbols such as the Colombian and United States flags and the Statue of Liberty, icons that have become the trademark of his work."

"Manzano, is a painter who imbues realism with strong emotional content."

"The American dream means different things to different people. This exhibition of immigrant artists from around the world illustrates the colorful and creative expressions of what the American dream means to them."

"This exhibition highlights the uniqueness of our multicultural society and the celebration of America's diverse ethnicities and heritages. The magnificent display of artworks, wide-ranging in approach, and skillfully executed is worthy of recognition; your efforts to bring cultures together are to be commended."

"With this special exhibition, people are invited not only to celebrate Hispanic Heritage but to experience the amiable, cordial, warm, and lively spirit that characterizes the Hispanic people. I proudly salute Hispanic culture and applaud the work of the artists of WSAC. This exhibition is a sample of unity of our great multicultural city that is New York: The Big Apple, and what better way to celebrate than through this exhibit. Viva America!"

"I welcome the WSAC to the Arsenal Gallery. In the artistic range of your works, we see reflected the range of park users. In the works exhibited here, we benefit from the unique, oblique angle of their lenses and their gaze."

"This multimedia exhibition showcases not only the talents of various artists and craftspeople, but also the rich diversity of Hispanic Heritage and culture. It helps to demonstrate the large influence that Hispanic culture has on the rest of the world."

"Mr. Manzano, a passionately patriotic naturalized citizen is fascinated by the way in which time influences our perception of icons such as the United States flag and the Statue of Liberty. In transformative paintings, he intrigues the viewer to join him in an analytic process."

"Manzano practices a kind of unadorned figuration reminiscent in its clarity and narrative quality of Rene Magritte. Manzano, however, combines a subtle surrealism with elements of Pop and social commentary in a way that make his oils on canvas quite unique."

"It is for me a big enjoyment to see this exhibition. In a few pictures we can see many kind of arts. It is a wonderful experience for me as for your fellow colleagues in Ashkelon to see the works of the artists of WSAC."

"Raúl Manzano's work plays an important role by dealing with social, political and economic concepts. His painting of the American flag emphasizes the critical alteration of this emotionally charged icon. This sober and poignant picture forces the viewer to reflect upon our country's historical events, current affairs, and to take more responsibility for its future."

"Through inner symbols such as a dollar bill within a map of the U.S. and other pertinent details, Manzano expresses the metamorphosis of America from a beacon of freedom to a land of decadence and greed."

"Manzano challenges us to assert our political rights to support AIDS recognition and research, and compassion through legislation."

"Raúl Manzano's oil paintings of monuments and objects of civilization are his personal interpretation of scenes in New York City. He directs the focus on this painted subject by eliminating human forms and only leaving evidence to indicate their presence."

"In his Colors, he expresses the mood of the painting."