Artistories

Julio Morales - Artist, Curator and Executive Director of MOCA Tucson

KXCI — Mon, 19 Jun 2023 22:10:12 +0000

In this episode we feature Julio Morales, artist, curator, and the Executive Director of MOCA Tucson. Julio takes us on an exploration of his personal life, recounting his upbringing in Tijuana, where he was deeply immersed in the border culture and surrounded by a family of creatives. Julio Morales' artistry is not only a reflection of his talent but also an embodiment of his multicultural upbringing. In this episode, he shares fascinating anecdotes about his family life, where creativity flowed freely among his relatives, instilling in him a deep passion for self-expression and the power of visual storytelling. Throughout our conversation, Julio reveals how the border culture left an indelible mark on his artistic voice. The interplay of languages, customs, and identities that define the border region found their way into his work, creating a compelling visual narrative that blurs boundaries and challenges conventional notions of identity and belonging. We gain insight into his curatorial endeavors and the impact of his work at MOCA Tucson, where he continues to nurture emerging talent and push the boundaries of contemporary art. Stay tuned for an engaging conversation that will undoubtedly leave you with a fresh perspective on the transformative power of art and the importance of embracing diverse cultural influences. To listen to all this and more, access the full episode above. To listen the the mini version, click below. Day Dreaming, 2019, permanent pigment print on Hahnemühle 350 gsm paper, 8 x 10 inches. A series of images of the border wall between Tijuana and San Diego that references the "dreamers" struggle to remain in the US. The photographs also samples graphic colors of debris such as water bottles, clothes, ID cards and items left behind while people attempting to cross the wall, are transformed into abstracted landscapes. Subterranean Homesick Cumbia, 2016, HD Video with Sound, 15:09 mins. Shot in the Amazon and is the videographic keepsake of the artists’ journey to trace the mythological birth of Cumbia music, one of the first Latin American hybrid musical form. In the origin myth, a German merchant ship crashed upon the shores of Colombia, spilling its cargo of accordions. These instruments were retrieved by local communities of free people of color and incorporated into their musical tradition to form a new vernacular sound. The relationship of the accordion to the landscape tells the story of the unstriated flow of social exchange and the unpredictable ways in which we engage with our environment. La Linea, 2022, 4 neons, 6x60 feet. A neon series that is a neon line-drawing of the southwest border starting in 1622 (Before Europeans), 1845 (Before Mexican-American war), Present 2023, Future 2028 (After New Mexico and California leave the US and open their borders). Undocumented Interventions, Watercolor and ink on paper, 2012, 30x40 inches. A series highlights the harrowing conditions migrants endure for clandestine passage into the United States. Rendered in hand-drawn lines and watercolor, these works reference the “interventions” employed by migrants while highlighting their ingenuity, determination, and dedication—qualities the United States purports to seek. Constelaciones Cayendo/Falling Constellations, 2023, photograph, nc-acrylic, graphite and plexiglass, 20x30 inches.A series based on failed drug traffickers who are "regular people" such as teenagers, abuelas, and teachers that are forced to traffic drugs in exchange kidnapping of family members. About Julio Morales: Julio César Morales is an artist, educator, and curator working for over twenty-five years in the contemporary art world. In curatorial practice, Morales has a range of experience: senior curator at Arizona State University Museum (2012-2022), adjunct curator for visual arts at Yerba Buena Center for The Arts in San Francisco (2008-2012), and founder and director of Queens Nails Annex, an artist-run project space in San Francisco (2003-2012). In 2013 he was a contributing curator for the Japanese pavilion at the Venice Biennale and currently executive director and co-chief curator at MOCA Tucson. In Morales’ artistic practice he employs a range of media and visual strategies to explore issues of migration, underground economies, and labor, on personal and global scales. He works by whatever means necessary: In an indelible series of watercolor illustrations, Morales diagramed means of human trafficking in passenger vehicles, while in other projects he has employed the DJ turntable, neon signs, the historical reenactment of a famous meal, or the conventions of an artist-run gallery to explore social interaction and political perspectives. Morales’ artwork has been shown at Lyon Biennale; (Lyon, France), Istanbul Biennale; (Turkey), Los Angeles County Art Museum (Los Angeles); Singapore Biennale; (Singapore), Frankfurter Kunstverein (Frankfurt, Germany); Prospect 3 (New Orleans, Louisiana) SFMOMA (San Francisco); Perez Art Museum (Miami, Florida) and The UCLA Hammer Museum (Los Angeles) amongst others. His work has been written about in Flash Art, The New York Times, Artforum, Frieze, Art Nexus, and Art in America. His work is in private and public collections including MoMA, The Los Angeles County Art Museum, The Kadist Foundation, The San Diego Museum of Contemporary Art, Museum of Fine Arts, Houston Art, and Deutsche Bank amongst others. He is represented by Gallery Wendi Norris. Want to learn more about Julio and his work? Access related links: Website

La Nueva Frontera: The New Tijuana Brass

A sculpture shown at LACMA ended up on Craigslist. A DJ turned it into a sound studio

Migrant Dubs 2023: Evedencia de Magia

Subterranean Homesick Cumbia_Remix

Anna Flores: Border dwelling poet & Arts Foundation Team Member

KXCI — Mon, 05 Jun 2023 21:57:29 +0000

Join us as we dive into the world of art and community with the talented Anna Flores! In this episode, Anna takes us on a captivating journey through her life, art, and exciting projects, like Open Studio Tours. Anna shares her story about growing up in Nogales, Arizona, a border town that has shaped her perspective as an artist. Her unique upbringing has influenced her creative process and fueled her passion for art, something she has in common with her colleagues and Artistories' hosts, Jenea and Ammi. Flores reveals the inner workings of the renowned Open Studio Tours program by the Arts Foundation, where local Tucson artists open their studios to the public. She shares her experiences leading this year's iteration and what made it truly exceptional compared to previous years. As she wraps up the episode, Anna opens up about what she has in store for future projects and the art community, what moves hear as a creative and eye opening advice for emerging artists. Listen to the full episode above! To listen the the mini episode, click below. About Anna: I’m a border-dwelling poet and writer born in Nogales, Arizona. I hold an MFA in Creative Writing from Arizona State University where I currently teach English & Composition. My recent awards and honors include a 2021 Swarthout Award in Writing, a 2021 Center for Imagination in the Borderlands Creative Research Fellowship, and a 2020 Mabelle A. Lyon Poetry Award. You can read my most recent published work in Red Tree Review and Columbia Journal's upcoming issue.

Prudence Katze: Filmmaker, Sound Producer, and Borderlands Advocate

KXCI — Mon, 22 May 2023 19:49:36 +0000

In the latest episode of Artistories we dive deep into the artistic journey of filmmaker, sound producer, and borderlands advocate, Prudence Katze. Prudence begins by describing her her path as a filmmaker, her inspiration and struggles behind her documentary The Iron Triangle, her adventures in the borderlands during Covid times, and her eye-opening experience filming Una Linea—a film that explores the desert communities of Sonora, MX, and Arizona, USA and how it is being affected by politics. Katze's artistic journey takes an unexpected turn as she finds herself drawn to the borderlands after the upheaval of the Covid-19 pandemic and the decisions taken by the US administration at the time to impose physical and figurative borders. Through her lens, she uncovers the beauty and struggles of overlapping communities living in the borderlands, blurring the lines between physical landscapes and symbolic meanings. She also discusses her upcoming film, Una Linea, an exploration of the borderlands seen through the eyes of wildlife experts, border advocates, local filmmakers and her new friends who helped bring this thought-provoking project to life. To listen to all this and more, access the full episode above.To listen the the mini episode, click below. About Prudence Katze: Born in Memphis, Tennessee, Prudence Katze is an artist and urbanist who is invested in telling stories that make visible the layered histories of political infrastructures and local community resistance. She is an adjunct professor at Cochise College who is also working towards an MFA at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. Prudence is currently in post-production on UNA LÍNEA, a feature length, documentary film. The film will explore how the varied, desert communities and ecosystems of the borderlands intersect with the destructive intent of the southern border wall, with a focus on the states of Sonora, MX and Arizona, USA. She is a co-director of The Iron Triangle: Willets Point and the Remaking of New York. Premiering at the 2017 DOC NYC film festival, it tells the story of how a how a Queens, NYC neighborhood falls victim to the vision of City officials. She received a BFA from The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art and a Masters in Urban Planning from the City University of New York’s Hunter College. https://prudencekatze.net/

Nazafarin Lotfi - Artist

KXCI — Mon, 08 May 2023 18:32:49 +0000

In the latest episode of Artistoires, we hear from Iranian-born artist Nazafarin Lotfi. We go back in time and learn of Nazafarin’s introduction to the arts through moments in her childhood in Iran experiencing architecture, anthropological sites, and the literary arts. She shares what inspired her to study the arts and how her introduction to the gallery/museum world began in college. Nazafarin provides her perspective on moving to the Southwest in 2017 during a tumultuous time for immigrants at the start of the Trump era, and we learn how the Hamrah Arts Club, a creative mentorship program for refugee-status youth in Tucson, started when she began volunteering as a mentor. Finally, Nazafarin reveals why she has not spent time in the studio in recent days, and the new opportunity that will surely provide the environment, and time to get back to her studio practice. To listen to all this and more, access the full episode above. To listen the the mini version, click below.

Alejandra Trujillo - Artist, Muralist and Teaching Artist

KXCI — Mon, 24 Apr 2023 20:39:31 +0000

We are thrilled to announce the next episode of Artistories featuring the talented Alejandra Trujillo, an artist, muralist, and teaching artist based in Tucson, Arizona. In this upcoming episode, Alejandra shares her journey as an artist, revealing how the Sonoran Desert fills her with inspiration and the artistic influences she drew from her family that shaped her passion for the arts. Alejandra discusses her excitement in participating in Open Studio Tours for the first time, an event that brings together artists and art lovers alike to explore the creative spaces of Tucson. She also talks about the many projects she has in the works all over the city, highlighting her unique style and creative approach to her craft. As the episode comes to a close, Alejandra expresses her gratitude for the love and support she has received from her family and community. She recognizes that it is this support that has enabled her to thrive as an artist and pursue her dreams with passion and dedication. Listen to the mini podcast by clicking the link below!

Coley Curry - Dancer, Multidisciplinary Artist and Social Advocate

KXCI — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 00:42:32 +0000

In this episode, we have the pleasure of speaking with Coley Curry, a Filipinx dancer and creative currently based in Tucson, Arizona. Coley shares with us her journey from Chicago to Tucson, and how a transformative residency in the Philippines, her mother's birthplace, reinvigorated her art practice. Her art takes many forms, including storytelling, facilitation, collage, craft, and film. In her movement, she aims to create spaces for community, ritual, healing, and taking ownership of personal history and cultural narratives. Coley's shares sties of her artist trajectory including a recent performance as a dancer during the Super Bowl halftime show with Rihanna. Her commitment to her community is equally inspiring, and she uses her art to advocate for social justice issues. Listen to the full-length podcast by clicking the link above! To listen to the mini episode, click below!

Barbea Williams - Dance Maker, Entrepreneur and Cultural Practitioner

KXCI — Mon, 27 Mar 2023 18:16:09 +0000

In this episode, we feature Barbea Williams, a renowned Dance maker, Entrepreneur and Cultural Practitioner. She is the founder and artistic director of the Barbea Williams Performing Company, a dance troupe dedicated to sharing ethnic dance, theatre and visual cultural traditions that derive from Afrika and the Afrikan Diaspora. In our conversation, Barbea shares her inspiring journey of discovering her passion for the performing arts. She talks about growing up in a family of artists and the moment she felt her ancestors calling her to pursue a career as a creative. Barbea also talks about the exciting projects she is currently working on and offers valuable advice for creatives in Tucson and beyond, emphasizing the importance of consistency and knowing who you are. Her powerful story and valuable insights will leave you feeling inspired and motivated to pursue your own creative passions. Listen to the mini podcast by clicking the link below! About Barbea Williams: Barbea is a proponent of and teaches the technique, philosophies, and theories of Madame Katherine Dunham. Crediting Black Dance USA, Dance Afrika, Kankouran, Mor Thiam Dance and Drum Conferences, KD Seminars as a foundation for Artist Influences to share and expand a vision of society from an anthropological and cultural perspective. Website: bwpcarizona.com Instagram: @bwpcbarbea

Benjamin Lucero, AKA Halsero - Music Producer, Community Organizer, and DJ

KXCI — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 23:51:38 +0000

In this episode, we sit down with Benjamin Lucero, AKA Halsero - a multi-talented music producer, community organizer, and DJ. He takes us on a journey through his experiences growing up in Mesa, AZ, and finding his creative community in Tucson, AZ. As a dedicated member of his community, Halsero shares his inspiration as a creative who values and serves those around him. For artists looking to make it in the local music scene in Tucson, Benjamin offers advice and insights based on his own experiences as a community organizer and leader. Join us for an inspiring conversation with Benjamin Lucero, as we dive deep into his world of music production, community building, and artistic expression. Episode host: Ammi Robles Check out Halsero on #SoundCloud https://on.soundcloud.com/86dt2 Listen to the mini podcast by clicking the link below!

Nefftys - Hip Hop Artist/Rapper, Writer, Community Organizer, and Arts Visionary

KXCI — Wed, 01 Mar 2023 00:56:49 +0000

In this episode, we feature Pricilla "Nefftys" Rodriguez, Hip Hop Artist/Rapper, Writer, Community Organizer, and Arts Visionary. The episode starts with Nefftys explaining the inspiration behind her stage name, which is derived from the goddess Nephthys, a symbol of creativity, darkness and transformation in Egyptian mythology. She talks about growing up in Ambos Nogales, a city split between the US and Mexico, and how the early 2000s saw the rise of the Internet and the influence of hip-hop music in popular culture. Over time, Neffty's career as a rapper transformed into something more. She began to use her platform to speak out on social justice issues, particularly those affecting her community. This led to her founding Nogaleria, a community art space that provides a platform for artists and creatives to showcase their work. Nogaleria is a hub for community organizing and activism, where artists and activists come together to collaborate on projects that promote social justice and community empowerment. Nefftys shares her journey as an artist and community organizer, the challenges she has faced along the way, and her vision for the future. So, if you're a fan of hip-hop, social justice, or just great stories, be sure to tune in to this episode of Artistories. Episode hosts: Ammi Robles and Tanya Nuñez. Listen to the mini podcast by clicking the link below!

Spring Winders - Designer, Metalsmith and Owner of Heliotrope

KXCI — Wed, 15 Feb 2023 21:35:12 +0000

In this episode, we hear from Spring Winders, Designer, Metalsmith, and Owner of Heliotrope, which is known for creating wearable sculptures, and cast designs primarily depicting animals and plants of the Sonoran Desert. We learn of Spring’s journey as a creative and how growing up in an artist home in rural northern Arizona influenced her creative trajectory. We learn of Spring’s love for the Arizona desert, her strong connection to place, and how she partners with local conservation organizations, contributing to the preservation of the animals depicted in her fashion sculptures. She leaves us with advice for creatives considering metalsmithing as a practice and her hopes for the individuals who purchase her work.

You may also listen to the full-length podcast by clicking the link above! To listen to the mini episode, click below!

https://kxci.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Spring-Winders_MINI-mixdown.mp3

Spring Winders in her studio. A spread of some of the bolo tie designs Heliotrope offers. A handful of rings from various Heliotrope collections. A variety of smaller Heliotrope designs, including animals and cactus themes.preset Three pieces from Heliotrope’s Moth Collection release from 2022. It’s official! University of Arizona designs, fully licensed, handcrafted locally by Heliotrope.

[All photos curtesy of the artist, Spring Winders]

Adia Jamille - Fiber Artist and Doula

KXCI — Tue, 31 Jan 2023 21:06:51 +0000

In this episode, we hear from Adia Jamille, Fiber Artist and Doula. As long as she can remember Adia Jamille has been creating. In this episode, she shares what is was like growing up as a creative spirit and at a young age setting a goal to one day exhibit her work in museums.

Adia reveals that her enslaved ancestors worked on indigo plantations and the life changing opportunity that inspired her to bring the practice of growing and working with indigo to her studio practice in Tucson, AZ

You may also listen to the full-length podcast by clicking the link above! To listen to the mini episode, click below!

https://kxci.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Adia-Olguin_Mini-mixdown.mp3

Adia Jamille, image courtesy of the artist.

New Freedom Codes: Sit Here, 2023, mixed fiber media, raw silk eco printed with okra and cotton leaves, silk organza dyed with organic indigo and then screen printed, linen dyed with organic indigo. Image courtesy of the artist.

New Freedom Codes: Eat Here, 2023, mixed fiber media, raw silk eco printed with okra and cotton leaves, silk organza dyed with organic indigo and then screen printed, linen dyed with organic indigo. Image courtesy of the artist.

Collage depicting process using cotton bolls to dye fabric for pieces to become part of “Ancestral Tethers.” Image courtesy of the artist.

Detail of Hoodoo Flag featured in a the documentary Conjure: The Docuseries by Larisha Stone. Image courtesy of the artist.

Exuberant (Progeny #3)- part of a triptych, mixed media embroidery. Image courtesy of the artist.

Harrod Blank - Multidisciplinary Artist, Filmmaker, and Founder of Art Car World

KXCI — Thu, 19 Jan 2023 06:15:20 +0000

In this episode, we hear from Harrod Blank, Multidisciplinary Artist, Filmmaker, and Founder of Art Car World. Harrod shares the story of how he established Art Car World in Douglas, Arizona, which houses one of the country’s most prominent collections of art cars. He takes us back to his childhood and reveals how his upbringing with creative parents set a path for his creative career as a multidisciplinary artist. We learn of his commitment to honoring his parent’s legacy and preserving their artwork, a major source of inspiration for many of his long-term art projects. Harrod also speaks about his experiences documenting Burning Man, an annual event held in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada, where participants gather to celebrate self-expression, art, and community. Harrod’s candid and engaging conversation provides listeners with a fascinating glimpse into the world of art cars and his great effort in art preservation and developing new public art in the borderlands. This episode is now available for streaming on all major platforms.

You may also listen to the full-length podcast by clicking the link above! To listen to the mini episode, click below!

https://kxci.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Harrod-Blank_Mini.mp3

Julius Schlosburg - Photographer

KXCI — Thu, 22 Dec 2022 00:55:03 +0000

In this episode, we hear from Julius Schlosburg, Photographer based in Tucson, AZ. First, we announce that the Arts Foundation has launched its new website and celebrate the photography Julius has contributed through his documentation of public art in Tucson. We learn how Julius jumped into a creative career after working in computer programming for a decade. He articulates his aesthetic inspiration and the influences that have impacted his style and approach to image-making over the past six years. Julius then shares his advice for artists and the one place in the world he would choose to teleport to any day.

To hear all this more, listen to the full-length podcast by clicking the link above! To listen to the mini, click below!

https://kxci.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/12-19-2022-until-1-1-2023_Artistories-Julius-Schlosburg.mp3 Portrait of Julius Schlosburg by Molly Condit

Photo by Julius Schlosburg

Watchers, Watercolor paper coated with salt and silver nitrate. Photo by Julius Schlosburg

Photo by Julius Schlosburg

Douglas Miles - Multidisciplinary Artist and Founder of Apache Skateboards

KXCI — Mon, 28 Nov 2022 21:30:05 +0000

In this episode, we hear from Douglas Miles, multidisciplinary artist and founder of Apache Skateboards. As a Project Creosote Grantee, Douglas shares how the award impacted current Apache Skateboards projects and how purchasing high-quality production equipment opened the doors to new commissions and opportunities across the country. We learn how Douglas’ upbringing in a large family influenced his approach to artmaking and community organizing, the many projects Apache Skateboards is involved with, and the moments that make Douglas most proud.

To hear all this more, listen to the full-length podcast by clicking the link above! To listen to the mini, click below!

https://kxci.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Douglas-Miles-2_mixdown.mp3 Gas Can Art in Santa Fe. Image courtesy of the artist Pistols and Princesses. Image courtesy of the artist Apache Skateboards at Phoenix Art Museum. Image courtesy of the artist Tray, Doug and I at Western Navajo National Fair

Carl Euegene - Visual Artist

KXCI — Thu, 10 Nov 2022 00:00:05 +0000

In this episode, we hear from Carl Euegene, Visual Artist based in Tucson, AZ. He begins by sharing how his Project Creosote stART grant has impacted this moment in his career. We learn of the concepts he is exploring in a new painting series titled, Tell A Friend To Tell A Friend The Spirit And The Bride Says Come, where he examines the intersections of religion, politics and what it means to be a woman. Carl shares the importance of philosophy, world events, and art history in his work and lists the artists who inspire him. We then get into why Carl has chosen to live in the Southwest and how the Tucson art community keeps him engaged and motivated. We get an insight into Carl’s perception of good art versus “self-expression.” He advises navigating the business side of being a gallery artist, his desire to start a collective in Tucson, and collaborate with recording artist Jay Z.

To hear all this more, listen to the full-length podcast by clicking the link above! To listen to the mini, click below!

https://kxci.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Carl-Euegene_mixdown.mp3 Image courtesy of the artist

“Don’t you feel sorry for me. it’s not a question I’m asking.” 2021, Oil On Canvas from series “Tell A Friend To Tell A Friend The Spirit And The Bride Says Come.” Image courtesy of the artist

Carl Euegene was born in Alexandria, Louisiana; he received his degree from McNeese State University. Carl merges the idea of countering social stigmas and the idea relationships among people in American society, in and out of the studio.

Jonathan Rodriguez - Sound Maker and Multidisciplinary Artist

KXCI — Thu, 27 Oct 2022 18:30:35 +0000

In this episode, we hear from Jonathan Rodriguez, Sound Maker and Multidisciplinary Artist. Jonathan begins by sharing what it means to be a sound maker and sound discoverer. He reveals how the pandemic inspired him to develop new collaborative processes that rely on field recordings and sharing files with fellow musicians over the internet. Jonathan then talks about the first time he was “moved” by music and the clever way he was able to secure the funds to purchase his first drum set as a seventh grader. We learn about his influences as an artist and the new opportunities he has coming up this year.

To hear all this more, listen to the full-length podcast by clicking the link above! To listen to the mini, click below!

https://kxci.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Jonathan-Rodriguez_mixdown-3.mp3

To lean more about Jonathan, check out his website: jonathanrodriguez.net

Jonathan Rodriguez is an interdisciplinary artist who works with composition/sound design and percussion in a diverse range of spaces. While his art engages dance, film, ethnography, and improvisation, he can also be found playing drums in a metal band or jazz combo at your favorite local pub. Rodriguez holds a degree in History/Spanish and Performance from Millikin University, a master’s in Performance from the University of New Mexico and is currently pursuing a doctorate in Performance from the University of Washington. He has toured and taught nationally and internationally in wide variety of musical and artistic settings.

Jonathan Rodriguez, courtesy of the artist

Angelina Ramirez - Flamenco Dancer, Choreographer, and Teaching Artist

KXCI — Wed, 14 Sep 2022 09:50:16 +0000

In this episode, we hear from Angelina Ramirez, Flamenco Dancer, Choreographer, and Teaching Artist. We begin the conversations by discussing her Project Creosote Start Award and the project titled Manos Trabajadoras. We learn how Angelina navigated the pandemic as a performing artist and how she is responding through her conceptual practice as a Flamenco artist. Angelina shares how “Flamenco found her” as a child and how an opportunity encounter with a Flamenco dancer in Tucson set the path forward for her life’s passion and profession. We lean into a conversation about identity and stereotypes in the art form and how Angelina is telling her own story as a non-gitana, Mexicana Flamenca.

To hear all this more, including her advice for artists who desire to transition to full-time practice, listen to the full-length podcast by clicking the link above! To listen to the mini, click below!

https://kxci.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Angelina-Ramirez-Mini_mixdown.mp3

Angelina Ramirez is a flamenco movement artist and teaching artist living in Tucson, AZ. Angelina’s artistic work explores what it means to be a queer, latinx flamenca, practicing in a traditional gitano form of dance. As a teaching artist, she is interested in the intersections of arts and healing, focusing on teaching elders of all abilities and integrated flamenco with autistic individuals. She is devoted to promoting accessibility and eradicating ableism, racism and bigotry by practicing and promoting dialogue, acceptance and community participation.

Angelina Ramirez. Photo by Steven Meckler

Angi Flamenco Kid / Pose: 1989 at the Tucson Folk Festival. Image courtesy of the artist

Duende: Creative Aging Class at Mesa Arts Center. Image courtesy of the artist

Poster of Ser. Image courtesy of the artist

Inna Rohr and Emily Hallowell - Artists and Members of Untitled Gallery

KXCI — Wed, 31 Aug 2022 01:11:19 +0000

In this episode, we hear from Inna Rohr and Emily Hallowell of Untitled Gallery. We learn about the moment Inna (Untitled Gallery Founder) was “handed the keys” to the Steinfeld Warehouse and how she, along with a team of 7 artists, transformed the space into a cultural hub in Downtown Tucson organizing monthly exhibitions, artwalks, and workshops.

We learn about the “artistic roots” of both Inna and Emily and get into a conversation about the expansive skies of the desert serving as major influences for both artists. The co-op members discuss the importance of supporting artists in dynamic cities like Tucson. Emily even draws on ideas from Toni Morrison that will leave you pondering the significance of artists to our culture.

To hear all this more, listen to the full-length podcast by clicking the link above! To listen to the mini, click below!

https://kxci.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/8.29-9.11-Artistories_Untitled-Gallery.mp3

Inna Rohr, Untitled Gallery Founder

Emily Hallowell, Untitled Gallery Member

View of Untitled Gallery

Samples of Inna Rohr’s Artwork

Samples of Emily Hallowell’s Artwork

Click here to check out more of Inna Rohr’s artwork.

Click here to check out more of Emily Hallowell’s artwork.

Luck Salway- Muralist and Owner of Arrowhead Ink

KXCI — Thu, 18 Aug 2022 01:53:28 +0000

In this episode, we hear from Luck Salway, Muralist and Owner of Arrowhead Ink and True Descendants Trading Company Est. b.c.. Luck shares stories about his experience painting two murals this summer, celebrating his ancestral lands in Tucson, AZ, and Pine Ridge, SD. We learn how he entered the Tucson mural scene by connecting with fellow artists and asking to paint on a wall in Downtown Tucson. He shares stories about the iconography in his work, including the story of his Rufus design which is featured on his very first mural titled, You Are On O’Odham Land EST. BC. We learn how stories of the past influence Luck’s work and how signs lead him to the answers he seeks as an artist.

To hear all this more, listen to the full-length podcast by clicking the link above! To listen to the mini, click below!

https://kxci.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Luck-Salway_Artistories_MINI.mp3

Luck Salway. Image courtesy of the artist

Cukson Mural at Splinter Collective in Tucson, AZ. Image courtesy of the artist

EST BC Mural n Pine Ridge, SD. Image courtesy of the artist

Where White Men Fear to Tread book cover. Image courtesy of the artist Where White Men Fear to Tread excerpt. Image courtesy of the ar

You Are On O’odham Land Mural in Tucson, AZ. Image courtesy of the artist

Man in the Maze. Image courtesy of the artist

Sweat Lodge Squash Blossom graphic. Image courtesy of the artist

Bibi Harris - Business Owner, Dancemaker and Bi-National Teaching Artist

KXCI — Thu, 12 May 2022 23:51:07 +0000

In this episode, we hear from Bibi Harris, business owner, dancemaker, and binational teaching artist. Bibi begins by sharing her experience of leading the Voces Migrantes project in Nogales, SON, with a team comprised of her family and fellow artists of the region, including Yvonne Montoya, Ammi Robles, Aaliyah Rubio, and Gerardo Alfonso Mendez Gallardo. She speaks about her connection with the region and the people who cross the border, recalling the importance of always remembering where you come from. Bibi then takes us back and shares the roots of her career as a binational artist and the influence of growing up in an artistic Mexican household. She then shares what is moving her as a creative, and her new project centers on the stories of elders who live in Douglas, AZ, and Agua Prieta, SON.⁠
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To hear all this more, listen to the full-length podcast by clicking the link above! To listen to the mini, click below!

https://kxci.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Bibi-Harris-Artistories_mini_mixdown.mp3

Image Courtesy of the artist

More about Bibi:

Adriana Harris is a mother, choreographer, studio director, and business owner based in Douglas, AZ and Agua Prieta, SON. She was born and raised in Agua Prieta and began her dance career at 8 years old. At 18, she developed and presented her own repertoire of choreography under the guidance of Alma Dolores at the Alma Dolores International Dance Center. In 2011, Adriana opened BB Danceur Academy in Douglas, AZ where she currently resides and continues to present her work regionally, in Arizona and Sonora. Under her direction, BB Danceur Academy has received over 100 Platinum and Gold accolades at national competitions including 3 High Gold Awards for First Place Overall at the 2018 Hall of Fame Dance Challenge in Phoenix, AZ. Bibi is a recipient of a Project Creosote Grant from the Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona and Creative Aging Grant from the Arizona Commision on the Arts.

Ashley Walden Davis - Arts Administrator, and Founder & Executive Director of Unlock Creative

KXCI — Tue, 03 May 2022 17:44:05 +0000

In this episode, Chezale Rodriguez leads a conversation with Ashley Walden Davis, arts administrator, thought leader, and founder & executive director of Unlock Creative: Coaching & Management Solutions LLC. Ashley begins by discussing her connection to the Southwest and the program called Creative Flowers that connected her with Black women creatives in Tucson and Phoenix in 2020. She describes the period of leading the Arizona Creative Flowers cohort during the 2020 presidential election, a social uprising, and a global pandemic.

Ashley then takes us back and shares the story that reveals the roots of her career as a creative and arts administrator. Then, she generously shares advice for anyone considering “taking a leap of faith” and points to consider as you set those plans in motion. Finally, Ashley drops some shoutouts to her influences and mentors and leaves us with what is “moving her” as she continues her work in the intersections of art, social justice, and building cultural and economic power for communities of color, especially black women creatives.

To hear all this more, listen to the full-length podcast by clicking the link above! To listen to the mini, click below!

https://kxci.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ashley-Walden-Davis-Mini_mixdown.mp3

Ashley Walden Davis is the Founder and Executive Director of Unlock Creative

Creative Flowers Black Pearlz Cohort, Fall 2020 (art work and image by Jordan Hood, CF Alum)

Episode Host: Chezale Rodriguez

Chezale Rodriguez, multifaceted teaching / performing artist and arts administrator

Alex! Jimenez - Public Artist, Illustrator, Printmaker and Mother

KXCI — Thu, 14 Apr 2022 05:36:04 +0000

In this episode, we hear from Alex! Jimenez, Public Artist, Illustrator, Printmaker, and Mother. Alex begins by sharing a story about the exciting project that started through an initiative of the US Water Alliance and Tucson Water. As the selected artist for the Tucson Water team, Alex shares the goals of the project and how she decided to mitigate the “bad history” in South Tucson in relationship to water and the path to building trust. Sharing the historical context in which the project took place, Alex then gets into how her process led to collaborations with the community and Tucson artists to develop a library of monsoon storm sounds. She then shares her motivation for working in the intersections of art and science.

Alex takes us back to when she was pursuing a career as a veterinarian, and we learn how her career trajectory shifted to visual arts and the excitement of being awarded an artist grant as she completed a BFA degree in Illustration from the University of Arizona. Alex provides advice for emerging artists and emphasizes the importance of seeking grant funding to develop projects and the value of collaboration in her practice. Finally, she shares what is moving her in this moment and the big plans in store for the coming years as a public artist working in her home community of South Tucson.

Lear More about Alex’s residency here!

Additional audio provided by Alex Jimenez featuring collaborations with Logan Phillips, Cazo, Karima Walker, and Kevin Larkin.

To hear all this more, listen to the full-length podcast by clicking the link above! To listen to the mini, click below!

https://kxci.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Alex-Jimenez-Mini_mixdown.mp3

Alex Jimenez. Image courtesy of the artist. The Talking Mural, 2017. This mural has QR codes that you can scan to listen to short stories told by the business owners whose signs are featured on this mural. Image courtesy of the artist.

Our Pond, Our Planet, 2021. An editioned screenprint that plays with the idea of our shared water both on the micro level of an ecosystem but on the global level of our planet. The animals along the perimeter of the pond are natives of the Sonoran Desert. Image courtesy of the artist.

Trabajadores, 2018. An editioned screenprint that plays with the icon of the ‘Sleeping Mexican’ and challenges the stereotype of laziness by displaying icons of the many forms of work that immigrants labor in. Image courtesy of the artist.

Te-Gila Sunrise, 2020. A mural on an electrical box in Sahuarita, AZ that plays with the design of the Gila Monster and turned into a Rorschach inkblot design. Image courtesy of the artist.

C is for LeCaves, 2016. An editioned screenprint from the series Abecedario del Sur that pulls the letters of the alphabet from signs of buildings on the Southside of Tucson. Image courtesy of the artist.

Tucson Toonland, 2018. This mural spans 3 sides of a drive-thru archway into the Hotel McCoy. It features a rising moon on the east wall that becomes the talavera style half moon/half sun across the arch and then sets on the western wall. Image courtesy of the artist.

Natalie Brewster Nguyen - Artist, Activist, Educator, Founder and Director of Splinter Collective

KXCI — Thu, 31 Mar 2022 00:30:18 +0000

In this episode, we have a conversation with Natalie Brewster Nguyen – Artist, Activist, Educator, Founder, and Director of Splinter Collective. Natalie begins by sharing a story about how the Splinter Collective came to be and how they became the owner of a 90-year-old adobe warehouse built by the Ronstadt family. They reveal the building’s deep history in serving creatives in Tucson since the 1960s and how it’s activated on a weekly basis by artists and activists through poetry, drag, performance art, and more!

Then, Natalie discusses the roots of their artistic practice and the story of how they landed in Tucson all the way from Chicago. They later get into the power of working at the intersections of art and social justice, the joys of co-parenting as an artist, and the incredible community of creatives that is moving them at this moment.

To hear all this more, listen to the full-length podcast by clicking the link above! To listen to the mini, click below!

Follow Natalie and Splinter Collective on social media!

@nataliebrewsternguyen @splintercollective520

https://kxci.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Artistories_Natalie-Mini_mixdown.mp3 Natalie Brewster Nguyen. Image courtesy of the artist.

An image of Nat and their child from Love Letters Leave No Trace, a collaborative and ritual installation project spanning the last decade. Image courtesy of the artist.

Exist 2019: an image of Nat narrating a circus play they wrote about astronomy, mythology, and the history of women in astronomy. Image courtesy of the artist.

Nat and Sir doing partner acrobatics in fox masks 2021. Image courtesy of the artist.

Nat and their daughter Sula 2021 portrait. Image courtesy of the artist.

Nat performing Bodies of Work/Criminal Acts 2018, a piece about labor, sex work, criminality and surveillance. Image courtesy of the artist.

Tony Plak - Artist, muralista, community organizer and co-founder of Nogaleria

KXCI — Tue, 22 Mar 2022 20:47:58 +0000

We are proud to present our first Spanish language episode of Artistories. To listen to an English-translated version of the podcast, click the link in our bio and locate the audio track on the bottom of the podcast description.

In this episode, Ammi Robles has a conversation with Tony Plak – Artist, muralista, community organizer, and co-founder of Nogaleria. Ammi begins the conversation by congratulating Tony and Nogaleria on their Project Creosote award. Tony shares about the grassroots organization and details about the community-driven project that will take place this year. Then he shares childhood memories of witnessing family members in creative professions such as architects and make-up artists and how he admired his grandfather’s exceptional drawing skills. We also hear about the first time Tony was exposed to the world of graffiti art and earning his degree in architecture at the University of Sonora and how that training prepared him for a career as a public artist. Later in the podcast, Tony shares his artistic influences, what moves him as an artist, and his best advice for emerging artists!

To hear all this more, listen to the full-length Spanish podcast by clicking the link above!

To listen to the English translated version, click below!

https://kxci.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/TonyPlak-English-Full-Podcast_mixdown-A.mp3

To listen to the mini podcast, click below!

https://kxci.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Tony-Mini_mixdown.mp3

Jessica Gonzales - Muralist, Painter, and Designer

KXCI — Fri, 18 Mar 2022 09:04:51 +0000

In this episode, Woods Fairchild, Arts Foundation Public Art Project Manager, has a conversation with Jessica Gonzales, Muralist, Painter, and Designer. Woods begins with a big congratulations to Jessica and Rock Martinez for their new public art commission for the Rillito Wash Flood Control Mural Project. After the first public announcement for this commission is made, Jessica expresses the “surreal” feeling when reflecting upon this new opportunity considering the expansiveness of the project. She shares her excitement for the collaboration with Rock and her views on the possibilities and brainpower of working alongside fellow artists. Raised among a family of creatives, Jessica describes how deeply she has been influenced by family, especially her mother, a trained commercial artist, graphic designer, and pastel artist. She takes us back to her childhood in Germany and how she navigates her multicultural upbringing while continuing to learn about her family roots, a source of inspiration in her personal and public artwork.

Jessica then speaks to the moments that launched her into the world of public art, which began with an invitation to paint in front of a live audience to the music of local hip-hop artists. Jessica also reveals how and when creative ideas come to her and even shares her favorite mural in Tucson!

To listen all this more, listen to the full-length podcast by clicking the link above! To listen to the mini, click below!

https://kxci.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Jessica-Gonzales-Mini_mixdown.mp3

Quetzalcoatl Gila Dragon for Amazing Discoveries in Tucson, 2021. Photo courtesy of the artist.

The Loft Cinema in Tucson, 2020 – originally designed for Loft Film Festival in 2019. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Woven Bonds We’ve Grown Upon, Sahuarita, 2021 – acrylic on recycled street signs. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Private residential mural in Tucson, 2021, Photo courtesy of the artist.