Art By Louie H. Moreno

I have been invited to be part of this event at the Museum of Ventura County.

Info on events:

September 19, 2009 – November 29, 2009
89 S. California Street, Downtown
Contact: Museum of Ventura County
Phone: (805) 653-0323
Admission: Free

Wearing Our Stories: Costume and Cultural Identity in the Latino Community, an exhibition upcoming this fall at the Museum of Ventura County, celebrates how personal stories, religious and popular traditions, and political statements expressive of Latino culture are artistically woven into clothing and adornment.

The free opening reception is on Friday, September 18 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Using photographic portraits shot expressly for the exhibit by Rudy Cardona and Samuel Hernandez, Latinos from many walks of life are highlighted, including community leaders, musicians, artists, activists, educators and athletes. Along with their portraits, specific articles of clothing which define them as a Latino or Latina are on display. Historical objects and photos reflecting the influence of cultura on the lives of Latinos in the area are also featured, including quinceañera and First Communion dresses, a traditional Mexican lazo from a wedding, vintage Bolivian jewelry, a car club jacket from La Gente Car Club in Oxnard, and a handmade costume worn in a Pastorela, or traditional shepherd’s play, held in Fillmore in 1916.

Among those portrayed in the exhibit are college professor Graciela Casillas, shown with her boxing gloves, which she used when becoming the first female kickboxing champion; harpist Xavier Montes; long time feminist and Latina activist Lupe Anguiano; professional altarista Ofelia Esparza, who builds Día de los Muertos ofrendas, or altars, to honor the dead; artist and former Brown Beret Louie Moreno; internationally known singer Ixya Herrera, shown wearing her signature rebozo, a traditional Mexican shawl which is undergoing a revival among contemporary Latina women.

The Story of Cesar Chavez
THE BEGINNING

The story of Cesar Estrada Chavez begins near Yuma, Arizona. Cesar was born on March 31, 1927. He was named after his grandfather, Cesario. Regrettably, the story of Cesar Estrada Chavez also ends near Yuma, Arizona. He passed away on April 23, 1993, in San Luis, a small village near Yuma, Arizona.

He learned about justice or rather injustice early in his life. Cesar grew up in Arizona; the small adobe home, where Cesar was born was swindled from them by dishonest Anglos. Cesar’s father agreed to clear eighty acres of land and in exchange he would receive the deed to forty acres of land that adjoined the home. The agreement was broken and the land sold to a man named Justus Jackson. Cesar’s dad went to a lawyer who advised him to borrow money and buy the land. Later when Cesar’s father could not pay the interest on the loan the lawyer bought back the land and sold it to the original owner. Cesar learned a lesson about injustice that he would never forget. Later, he would say, The love for justice that is in us is not only the best part of our being but it is also the most true to our nature.

In 1938 he and his family moved to California. He lived in La Colonia Barrio in Oxnard for a short period, returning to Arizona several months later. They returned to California in June 1939 and this time settled in San Jose. They lived in the barrio called Sal Si Puedes -”Get Out If You Can.” Cesar thought the only way to get out of the circle of poverty was to work his way up and send the kids to college. He and his family worked in the fields of California from Brawley to Oxnard, Atascadero, Gonzales, King City, Salinas, McFarland, Delano, Wasco, Selma, Kingsburg, and Mendota.

Source: http://www.ufw.org/_page.php?menu=research&inc=history/07.html

I will have artwork in this art show.

Info on events:

Presented by the Community Services/Cultural Arts Division of the City of Ventura,
the 16th De Colores Art Show & Festival is coming to the California Street Plaza & Promenade in Ventura. 
Join us for the Festival on SUNDAY, April 5 from 11:30 am to 6 pm.
The art will be on exhibit from March 28th through May 3, 2009

 
I’m currently showcasing artwork on the life of Cesar Chavez and UFW at the Oxnard Public Library, 251 South A St, Downtown Oxnard for the month of March.

From more on Cesar Chavez and UFW

c/s