POMONA, CALIFORNIA.- The dA Center for the Arts presents today “Returning to Aztlan: A Chicano Art Retrospective,” on view through November 22, 2003. The show, curated by Frank Garcia, will offer a retrospective of multi-dimensional art from the Chicano movement of the 1960’s featuring well known artists the likes of Carlos Almaraz, David Botello, José Galvez, Margarita Garcia, Gronk, Wayne Healy, Gilbert ‘Magu’ Lujan, Frank Romero, John Valadez, Patssi Valdez. Contemporary artists who have been inspired by the Chicano movement include Judy Baca, Guillermo Bejerano, Paul Botello, Martin Charlot, Roberto Delgado, David Flury, Diane Gamboa, Raphael Garcia, Ester Hernandez, Edgar Jaime, Jose Lozano, Armando Peralta, Simon Silva, Robert Ramirez, Elena Rios, David Rosales, Steve Ruiz, Eloy Torres, Carlos Estrada Vega, Marco Zamora, and others.
A Special Sneak Preview on Saturday, October 11 from 4 to 6:00 pm will launch the event with the opportunity to meet the artists in a private gallery preview. There will be a book signing by Don Normark, author of the book, ‘Chavez Ravine, 1949, A Los Angeles Story,’ as well as the premiere screening of the documentary film of the same name, directed by Jordan Mechner. Refreshments and live music will be included for a cost of $20 per person. Proceeds from this special event will benefit the dA Center for the Arts.
This will be a multi-dimensional community event. Screenings of the films ‘Chicano!’ and ‘Chavez Ravine, 1949, A Los Angeles Story’ will provide a background experience for all those who attend. Roundtable discussions, art workshops, poetry and spoken word presentations, live dance and musical performances will also take place. Performance art inspired by the exhibit will be presented throughout the evening by David Baldizon and ‘A Temple at Play’ Theatre Company.
As a multicultural event, focusing on Chicano cultural heritage, ‘Returning to Aztlan’ is designed to impart Chicano pride and serve as an outreach program targeting the ‘at-risk’ youth population in and around the Inland Empire. Special educational field trips by area youth will be offered. For further information or to schedule field trips, call the dA Gallery at 909. 397.9716.
This program has been generously sponsored by the following groups and individuals: Pomona City Council Members -- George Hunter, Danny Rodriguez, Marco Robles, Paula Lantz and Pomona Mayor Eddie Cortez; Pomona Fairplex and Pomona Educational Foundation. ‘Returning to Aztlan’ Planning Committee: Frank Garcia, Chairman, Shawn Davis, Christina Frausto, Joey Seward, Chris Toovey, Joan Weldon.
