Charlotte Street Foundation + Azteca de Greater Kansas City present: ComUNIDAD/ CommUNITY exhibition + WESTSIDE BLOCK PARTY (in partnership with C&G Construction) La Esquina / 1000 West 25th Street Block party + exhibition opening June 5, 6-10pm Exhibition runs through June 27, 2009 Gallery talk with artists + curator: Wednesday, June 10, 6:30pm Gallery hours: Thursdays + Saturdays, 12-5pm
Charlotte Street Foundation’s Urban Culture Project (UCP) and Azteca de Greater Kansas City are pleased to partner to present the second annual ComUNIDAD/CommUNITY art exhibition at UCP’s la Esquina venue. This large group show, featuring works by a diverse selection of Kansas City artists (see below), is curated by Jenny Mendez, Chairperson of Azteca’s Guild of Latino Fine Arts and Director of Mattie Rhodes Art Center.
The exhibition opens on June 5, 6-10pm, in conjunction with the third annual Westside Block Party, co-sponsored by Azteca, CSF/UCP, and C&G Construction. The event, which drew a diverse cross-section of more than one thousand visitors last year, will feature live outdoor music and dance performances, low rider cars, authentic Mexican cuisine, Boulevard beer, and other surprises. This free, family friendly event takes place on the block of West 25th Street just north of Southwest Boulevard, and in the parking lot in front of la Esquina at 1000 West 25th Street. Visitors are encouraged to bring folding chairs. This event is dedicated to Dan Ramirez, a longtime Azteca member who passed away unexpectedly this year.
The exhibition, featuring one to two works per artist, explores the meaning and power of "Comunidad/Community” and “Unidad/Unity." About this theme, Mendez writes: “The definition of community goes beyond a group of people; it is a powerful word that brings unity, builds traditions, creates harmony, and strengthens cultures. The definition of unity is to become one; oneness: the quality of being united into one. These two words are powerful alone but what they both say as one, defines so much about so many -- to unite as one is to become a part of a community.”
“What I witnessed last year in this exhibit was a oneness, a harmony of artists coming together and making a connection to one another and to the greater community,” Mendez says. “I would like to continue in this tradition and bring together some of the most talented artists from Kansas City and elsewhere. “
Artists featured in the exhibition include: Adolfo Martinez, Jessica Manco, Dominic Murillo, Miriam Feingold, Alexander Austin, Sonie Ruffin, Alisha Gambino, Alex Morales, Angela Guzman, Colleen Maynard, Heather Marton, Arzelyn Umali, Dan Dakotas, Luke Rocha, Joey Rocha, Pat Rocha, Pat Rocha Jr., Eddie Bernal, Luis Garcia, Gabriella Mendez-Delgado, Bonnie Tolsen, Sue Moreno, John Moreno, Elaina Wendt, Gear, Erin Holliday, Jacob Weller, Laura Munoz, Emiliano Zapata, Israel Garcia, Jason Biggers, Rocky Varela, Tara Croft, and Robin Case.
AZTECA de Greater Kansas City is an all-volunteer non-for-profit organization that is committed to furthering the advancement of Latino Arts and Artists throughout the greater Kansas City Area. AZTECA de Greater Kansas City’s mission is to share the multi-Latino cultures and traditions through the arts, cultural events and activities. Visit www.aztecadegkc.org for more information.
An initiative of the Charlotte Street Foundation, Urban Culture Project creates new opportunities for artists of all disciplines and contributes to urban revitalization by transforming spaces in downtown Kansas City into new venues for multi-disciplinary contemporary arts programming. For more information, visit CSF’s NEW website at www.charlottestreet.org.
