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ALAC Presents the Life and Legacy of César E. Chávez Through Artwork and Photography 

PHOENIX, Az., February 26, 2013 – Experience the life and legacy of César E. Chávez at the Arizona Latino Arts and Cultural Center (ALAC) on Friday, March 1, 2013 from 5:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m. The “Cesar Chavez in the Civil Rights Movement” exhibit will feature renowned Arizona-native and Chicano leader, César E. Chávez, in a variety of photography and artwork.

The exhibit will be on display at Galeria 147 from March 1-April 27, 2013. See César E. Chávez come to life in a unique collection of poignant photography and artwork, including an original painting by artist, Carlos Rivas.

Photography is provided by Cathy Murphy, the former staff photographer of the United Farm Workers Union. Her photography captures the essence of César E. Chávez as well as the plight of the farm workers and their children in the 1960’s and 1970’s.

José Andrés Girón, residence artist at ALAC, curates the exhibit. He met César E. Chávez in the 1980’s and offered his services as an artist and supporter of the Civil Rights Movement in Arizona. His encounters with César E. Chávez left an impression of great respect and admiration for him and also a source of inspiration for his art.

“The exhibit demonstrates César Chávez’s passion and dedication to his life’s work as well as the pride he had for his people”, said Girón. “Visitors will find themselves following in his journey, every victory and every struggle, during the Civil Rights Movement.”

First Friday will also include a live performance by the South Mountain Community College (SMCC) Latin Jazz Band. Established in 2012, the SMCC Latin Jazz Band brings together musicians of all ages in a celebration of Latin Jazz, Cuban Jazz and Salsa. In addition, Arizona State University graduate, Léana M. Courtney will perform original songs including a cover by a surprise artist. Also, the Dulce Dance Company, a contemporary modern dance troupe directed by Candy Jimenez and Liliana Gomez; will perform ideas, emotions and stories through dance with original movement.

About ALAC: 

Founded in 2009, the Arizona Latino Arts and Cultural Center (ALAC) – Galeria 147 is a coalition of Latino artists and art organizations that celebrates and promotes the Latino presence in Arizona through education and advocacy. ALAC, located in the heart of downtown Phoenix, is the first of its kind in Arizona and serves as a beacon of cultural and artistic expression through art exhibits, film, presentations, lectures, live performances, and literary readings. 

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For more information about this event or to schedule an interview with a featured artist, please contact Marcelino Quiñonez, Director of Programs at 602-574-9207 or via e-mail at marcelinoalac@gmail.com.

Contact: Maria Miles FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Cell Phone: 602-505-3289

E-mail Address: marialinda17@gmail.com

by Kaila White

Arizona Republic, Arizona Living Section

January 14th, 2013

Marcelino Quiñonez, program coordinator, Arizona Latino Arts & Cultural Center

Marcelino Quiñonez says the best days at the Arizona Latino Arts & Cultural Center in Phoenix are the ones when he comes in early to clean, because he can connect his iPhone to the building’s entire sound system.

“I have the whole gallery to myself, and the music is just blazing,” he says, laughing, “and you have to sing along because that’s what music does to you.”

ALAC is composed of La Tiendita gift shop; Galeria 147, its primary gallery; and other spaces for performance and exhibition. And although Quiñonez’s desk is in the back, he moves about the building all day.

Quiñonez is ALAC’s program coordinator. As such, he reaches out to artists to exhibit in the gallery and perform at ALAC’s First Friday events, manages its social media and more. He’s also a graduate student in theater performance at Arizona State University.

“I’m an actor, but I live through music. I go to sleep with music, I wake up with music. I’ve heard it said many times that I have my own soundtrack because I literally have music on me all day.”

When other people are in the building, he carries his phone with him, allowing music to play on the phone’s speakers. This is where his love of singing comes into play.

“I listen to a number of people; most of them are Latino. I listen to Vicente Fernandez, Luis Miguel, Elvis. … ‘You’ve lost that lovin’ feeling,’ ” he sings, adding a touch of Elvis’ signature croon.

Born in Durango, Mexico, Quiñonez moved to the U.S. when he was 5. He is now 29 and a U.S. citizen, and his taste in music embraces the classic artists of both countries. His favorite song in both English and Spanish is “My Way,” or “A Mi Manera,” originally sung by Frank Sinatra.

“I’m a classic person. I love history, and so listening to those individuals does bring me back in some ways to their era and when they first came out with their songs.”

He enjoys the nostalgia, saying that it inspires him to work toward his own “beautiful moments.” Not to mention that classic songs have an amped-up potential for getting others to sing along.

Although his music can be infectious at work, his most appreciative listener is his 4-year-old daughter, Mia Amor. She’s loved dancing since before she was born, he says; a friend predicted that her constant movement in the womb was indicative of her future as a dancer. She started ballet classes this month.

“Music gives you hope,” he says enthusiastically after singing a few lines of Whitney Houston’s “The Greatest Love of All.”

“What music does is it lets you know that you are not alone. There are other individuals who are as happy as you are, as sad as you are, as hopeful as you are. … Music is community.”

Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/arizonaliving/articles/2013/01/08/20130108on-the-job-jams-four-valley-music-lovers-share-their-workplace-playlists.html#ixzz2I0kJX600

Celebrate the New Year of 2013, with new Art Exhbit featuring Patsy “Skyline” Lowry in Galeria 147.

Patsy is a nationally-known artist whose paintings and bronzes have been exhibited in museums and galleries and numerous private collections for almost four decades.  Her art presents the viewer with a dialog different from that found in words. It is an eloquent expression of the way we think and feel about nature and the spirituality of its peoples. Her art is a continual search for spiritual truth and beauty.

“Art is a search for the ultimate expression of spirit.” As a third generation Phoenician, my paintings and bronzes  the cultures, skies, flowers, land, deserts and imagery of Arizona. Its colors are my palette. I use numerous layers of paint on each canvas to strengthen the texture and images. Since nature often defies description and understanding, I continually try to capture some of its power, magic and mystery. My focus is on resolving and enhancing the relationship of one color to another. Creating is exciting to me. I like the feel of putting paint on the canvas and following an unknown path – not knowing where it will lead.

In addition to Patsy Lowry in Galeria 147, we have Kuna Indian Molas in El Rincon Galeria.

Molas are part of the traditional dress of Kuna Indians of Panama and are worn by the women on the back and on the front side of their blouse. Together with the blue print cotton skirts, the red and orange head scarves and the characteristic glass bead strings on wrists and ankles they represent the traditional dress of the Kuna women.

We are also happy to have Fausto Ciapara, who has created over 45 pieces of work in our ALAC studio.  Fausto’s paintings are similar to Mattise or Pierre Bonnard who thrived in the Impressionism movement.  Fausto is able to capture the human spirit in the eyes he creates and in the various sceneries. His work is on our display window facing Adams Street.

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