Exhibition will run May 4, 2012 - August 24, 2012....

Don't miss our First Friday's May, June, July and August!

The Arizona Latino Arts and Cultural Center (ALAC) announces the premier and opening of three new gallery exhibits each opening this Friday May 4th at ALAC – Galeria 147, located at 147 E. Adams Street in downtown Phoenix.  Event starts at 6pm.  Exclusively highlighting female artists and opening one week before Mother’s Day, the main gallery hosts the 2nd Annual Latina Art Exhibit and Festival, themed “Madres/Madonnas/Mujeres” in celebration of women and mothers everywhere and across all cultures. Concurrently, two separate one-woman shows will showcase the talents of Norma Garcia –Torres in the La Capilla Gallery and Alondra Yasmin Ortega in the El Rincon Gallery. The three exhibits will run from May 4th – August 24th and feature both artwork and jewelry. Art show is curated by Monica Crespo and jewelry by Francisca Calderon.

Participating artists from Phoenix, Tucson and Chicago include: Francesca Anatra, Diana Caldreron, Christina Cardenas, Francisca Cota, Moinca Crespo, Esperanza Gama, Cynthia Flores-Gurrola, Diana Luevano-Ruiz, Yolanda Palomo, Mary Ann Rodriguez-Veatch, Gabby St. Paul, Ilda Veloz, and Veronica Verdugo-Lomeli.

Don't miss First Friday May, June, July and August - great art and jewelry!

"We must awaken the feminine divine within us and recognize her presence in transforming our world."  This exhibit demonstrated the divine femininity that is revealed in how our world is transformed, by art and inspiration.  

May 4, 2012 - August 24, 2012

NORMA GARCIA - TORRES was born in Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico and raised in the Southwest. Her culture, heritage, and connection to Mexico and the Southwestern United States have clearly influenced her style. She tries to infuse her subjects with bright and bold colors that speak to the beauty of nature, and combine it with strong, vibrant and sometimes almost magical images.

Her art comes from her childhood in Mexico and the stories my grandmother used to embellish and tell her grandchildren. She sparked creativity.  It combines vibrant and rich colors of her culture in simple yet strong statements of our cultural connection to the earth and the sun. 

The work of Alondra Yasim Ortega, in the El Rincon Gallery, is self-described as "classical yet realistic with a hit of abstract, focused on the expression of the immigrant life and challenges."

ALONDRA YAZMIN was born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico.  She began painting at the young age of 13.  Her love of painting is in her blood as her father was an excellent painter.  Her mother was a motivational factor in her life and at the age of 15 enrolled her in the Escuela de Artes Plasticas de la Universidad Auntonoma, an art school in Guadalajara Mexico.  She currently lives in El Mirage, AZ.

What do kids want? - A Childrens Exhibit

Osborn Communities Connect (OCC), a group of dedicated members, organizations and professionals, strongly believe that what happens to children during their early years impact the rest of their lives. As part of the OCC positive parenting initiative the OCC asked 100 children in kindergarten through 4th grade about the things they thought were important for parents of young children to know. Using words and drawings, these children shared what they think it means to be a good parent. The results were amazing. The children told us they don't want their parents to buy them things. Instead, children want to do things with their parents like playing, having fun, singing, dancing, going to the park and swimming. Children think parents should protect them and keep them safe, they want parents to teach them to behave, and they also told us parent should not hit children. Finally, they told us it's important for parents to be good role models and to respect each other. The OCC felt the children's work was so powerful and moving they decided to share the art work and the messages with the community. It is the OCC's hope; that the community, as well as families, will embrace these messages. Together we can strengthen our communities and make the future brighter for all children.

Come and learn what young children have to say, it is a free family event that will enrich the communication with your children. The job of helping children succeed in school and in life starts the day they are born. The exhibit will be open to the public until June 2nd. 

Phoenix Latino arts center flourishes amid immigration debate
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Valley Heat Spotlight

PHOENIX. The color of skin has the power to create controversy in America. The upcoming trial in the Florida killing of a young Black, Trayvon Martin, is one example. Another example is the recent, random murders of three Blacks in Oklahoma.

Jeremy Gillett, a graduate student at Arizona State University in the MFA acting program, boldly challenges the negative perceptions of young Blacks in today’s society with the May 12 premiere of his play, Black & 25 in America.

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Arizona Latino Arts and Cultural  Center, 147 E. Adams St. Phx. 85004
602-254-9817 -- 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. - Tuesday - Saturday