Artistories

In this episode, we hear from Valentina Vavages-Andrew – Tribal member of Tohono O’odham, STEM Educator, Podcaster, and Musician. Valentina explains how her experience as an activist propelled her to create a platform for her community to share their experiences through radio and podcasting. She reveals “check-point trauma” has affected generations of Tohono O’odham people while also describing her personal experiences when coming across Border agents. Valentina takes us back to her childhood and family history when explaining her “artistic root.” We learn of her musical family history and how those influences have been celebrated through the Tohono O’odham Young Voices Podcast. Finally, Valentina talks about what is “moving her” at this moment and how her Project Creosote grant will help propel the next phases of the Tohono O’odham Young Voices Podcast!

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/2021/12/12.07-to-13.13-21-Artists-Valentina-Andrew.mp3

In this episode, we hear from Ruben Dorame, director, choreographer and founder of The Drop Dance Studio. Ruben takes us back to his college years when he had the opportunity to launch a business while in the middle of a school project at the University of Arizona. He touches on his motivation for opening a dance studio, stemming from childhood memories with his dance friends and the importance of finding spaces to dance and perform in his neighborhood. He explains how “dance chose him” from the young of eleven years old and his transition from focusing on sports to the hip-hop dance scene, which originated from learning how to “sea walk” in preparation for a middle school dance! Ruben digs into explaining his artistic root, sharing his list of dance influences that also includes his mother’s moves inspired by her Mexican roots. Ruben also breaks down key moments in the journey of The Drop Dance Studio and the transition from a for-profit business to a non-profit organization. Finally, Ruben shares what is moving him, literally and conceptually, in this moment, capping the episode with his hopes and vision for The Drop Dance Studio and its dancers.

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/2021/11/11.23-21-to-12.06-21-Artists-Ruben-Dorame.mp3

In this episode, we hear from Pasqualina Azzarello, Painter, Public Artist, Educator, and Community Advocate. Pasqualina begins by sharing how the Stone Avenue Mural Project came to be and how she and her collaborators Kim Young and Christina Devine moved the project forward amid community pushback towards the approved proposal. She dives into the six-month process designed to listen and establish trust, uncovering community stories from the neighborhood and the love and appreciation for Rillito River, which would ultimately become the inspiration for the Stone Avenue Mural Project.

Pasqualina then speaks to the many outcomes of the Stone Avenue Mural, including the beginning of the Limberlost Neighborhood Association and the Stone Curves Cooperative Housing. She shares how three original members of the Limberlost Neighborhood Association initiated the restoration of the mural, reaching out to the City of Tucson and Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona. Pasqualina tells how she was called upon to lead the restoration of the mural what it has felt like to come upon the brush strokes she placed 20 years ago.

Then, she takes us back in time and shares how her artistic root began to form at a young age and how the murder of Rodney King impacted her outlook as an artist during the painting of her first mural as a teenager. Finally, Pasqualina provides an insight into her new body of work, how bodies of water have become a source and inspiration and experimentation.

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/2021/12/12.21-to-01.03-22-Artists-Pasqualina-Azzarello.mp3

 

To more about the Stone Avenue Mural Project and to support the project click here!

View of Stone Avenue Mural in 2001. Photo Courtesy of Pasqualina Azzarello.

Members of the Stone Avenue Mural Restoration team gather for a photo. From left to right: Serena Tang, Adam- Cooper-Teran, Pasqualina Azzarello, Gavin Troy and yu yu shiratori.

In this episode, we hear from Ashley La Russa, founder of Roux Events and community organizer. Ashley takes us back in time and discusses how she landed in the Sonoran desert, all the way from Upstate New York, and what has inspired her to stay. She shares her influences in theater, event management and diversity, equity, and inclusion work. Just as many guests on past Artistories episodes, Ashley reveals her “artistic root,” which she can trace to her six-year-old self while living in Texas and finding her voice in performing arts. She reveals how she decided to shift her career in theater arts to event management as an entrepreneur in the middle of a pandemic. Finally, Ashley shares how she is working alongside Arts Foundation staff and leading the charge to produce the 2021 Open Studio Tours event and how artists from across Southern Arizona can participate in a new, hybrid model for OST.

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/2021/11/11.09-21-to-11.22-21-Artists-Ashley-La-Russa.mp3

In this episode we hear from Jenea Sanchez; Artist, Mother, and Arts Administrator.  She talks about her current exhibition at MOCA Tucson; Mujeres Nourishing Fronterizx Bodies,  including collaborators Gabriela Munoz, Ammi Robles and DouglaPrieta Trabajan (DPT) based in Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico. Jenea talks about her artistic roots, trajectory and life at the border. We talk a little about arts administration, i.e. founding Border Arts Corridor, the upcoming Binational Art Walk, her role as Communications Manager at the Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona, and her newest hat as host and producer of Artistories! She also graces us with the story of how her and her spouse moved back to Douglas Arizona, opened a cafe/art space, then founded Border Arts Corridor and then ran for Mayor/First Lady of Douglas on an arts platform–and won!

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/2021/10/Mini-Jenea_mini.mp3

Carlos Gutiérrez

In this episode we hear from Carlos Gutiérrez, co-programmer of Cinema Tucson and co-founding director of Cinema Tropical. Carlos tells us about Cinema Tucson (the newest iteration of Tucson Cine Mexico) and the upcoming screening on Oct. 17 at The Fox Tucson Theater. We also talk about what Carlos looks for in a film, Mexican cinema history and present, how Carlos came to co-create Cinema Tropical 20 years ago and how he stuck it out! We talk about the juxtaposition of New York City’s cultural scene with Tucson’s (as Carlos lives in both worlds) and a bit about how COVID affected film production and film watching.

For all this and more, click above and listen to the full-length podcast! To listen to the mini program, click below!

Music: from LA MUJER MURCIÉLAGO (1968) Soundtrack

https://kxci.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Cinema-Tucson-Mini.mp3

In this episode we hear from stylist and heritage sewist, Allison Latham-Jones. Allison talks about what sets her apart as a stylist and how her artistic eye comes into play. We talks about points of intersection between fashion, creative expression, performance, advocacy and more.  Allison also talks about the freedom she feels upon taking fashion into her own hands with the sewing machine, and the relationship between art, craft and business as a stylist. Allison also talks about her grandmother, her “artistic root,” and how she became a stylist. Lastly, we talk about how  COVID has impacted people’s bodies and their fashion and Allison shares some powerful client stories that will make you re-think your relationship with your body and the freedom to wear what you want.

Allison also recommends these additional resources for more information on racial justice:

Me and White Supremacy workbook

Me and White Supremacy — the book

Rachel Cargle’s #Dothework Challenge and the Great Unlearn: “Monthly self-paced, self-priced learning collective, committed to celebrating and highlighting the genius of academics of colour. We have created an online learning platform rooted in providing resources and critical discourse to aid in unlearning. I believe that knowledge leads to action. The Great Unlearn platform is used to both provide education and inspire meaningful action.”

https://kxci.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Allison-Latham-Jones-Mini.mp3

Folk art by William Holtzman

Detail of painting of Esther León by Indiana Nelson

Jeremy Thompson (no sheep were harmed in the making of this image)

 

In this episode, we hear from Jeremy Thompson; artist, musician and founder of Templeton’s. We talk about the evolution of Templeton’s and how this vintage emporium came to develop a mission: curating the works and telling the stories of artists who had illustrious careers that went undocumented before the internet age. We talk about the fate of estates as family members pass on, and how Templeton’s attempts to offer an alternative to typical garage sales, estate sales and Craigslist. We also talk a little about Jeremy’s “artistic root” and why he became a collector and curator. We also hear the stories of some of the collections at Templeton’s now; collections brought to the shop by George Hawke (Los Lasers, The Dusty Chaps), the families of Geoff Pocock and Indiana Nelson. To listen to the full length podcast, click above! To listen to the mini, click below!

Follow:

Templeton’s on Facebook

Templeton’s on Instagram

Music by: Jeremy Thompson

https://kxci.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Templetons-Mini.mp3

In this episode we hear from Paul The Simple, music producer and writer. (You can listen to his music at his Soundcloud and Instagram accounts.) Paul talks about how he became a champion of helping emergent artists create sustainable infrastructures for themselves, especially using technology. He talks about his “artistic root” as a lover of music who taught himself how to play guitar, and whose first musical explorations involved Christian music, at his parents behest. While his parents, (Indian immigrants), had plans for him involving Christianity and college, Paul found that neither of these genres were the right fit for him. He taught himself web design and music producing, which today are his professional path and his artistic one. We also talk about collaborating, relationships, and how to share music and food with each other. To hear all this and find out about what Paul’s working on now and next, listen to the full-length podcast by clicking the link above! To listen to the mini, click below.

https://kxci.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Paul-Injeti-Mini.mp3

Photo by Julius Schlosburg

Photo by Julius Schlosburg

Photo by Puspa Lohmeyer

 

In this episode of Artistories, we hear from musician Brian Lopez. We talk about his band XIXA‘s sold-out album release party (for Genesis) coming up on May 30 and the new date recently opened; Sat. May 29. We talk about what the show means to the band and to the fans. Brian tells us about XIXA’s Latin roots, and how they moved from psychedelic cumbia covers to original desert rock. Brian also talks about the long-standing musical connection between Nantes, France and Tucson. We discuss the COVID era and how it has impacted him and his newest solo album. Lastly, you’ll hear about an artistic “unroot”–how his childhood focus was largely basketball.

For all this and more, listen to the full-length podcast by clicking above. Listen to the mini program by clicking below!

Music:

Osiris by XIXA

Monjuic by Brian Lopez

El Pájaro y el Ciervo by Brian Lopez

Sonoran Strange by Brian Lopez

https://kxci.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Brian-Lopez-Mini.mp3