| BARRIOZONA |
| Bilingual Community Expression Published by the Hispanic Institute of Social Issues |
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| INTERACTIVE |
| HISI © 2007 |
| A Latino Art Venue in Phoenix |
Cuervo Studio & Gallery
| Text and Photographs by Eduardo Barraza |
Phoenix.- An Arizona artist and a
small group of Latino art enthusiasts
have come together to make a
difference in the Valley’s art
landscape. Under the name of Latino
Art Project, the group hosted on
August 3rd, the premier of Cuervo
Studio & Gallery, a new space
created to house the artwork of
Martin Moreno, a long-time Arizona
visual artist, as well as promote
Latino art in the Phoenix area.
Moreno and friends Andrew Nava and
Sal Rivera, decided that the time had
come to do something to display
Latino art in public venues, and not
only be able to see it at people’s
homes. “We were all hearing the
same thing: ‘we only get to see
Latino art at people’s homes’, so we
small group of Latino art enthusiasts
have come together to make a
difference in the Valley’s art
landscape. Under the name of Latino
Art Project, the group hosted on
August 3rd, the premier of Cuervo
Studio & Gallery, a new space
created to house the artwork of
Martin Moreno, a long-time Arizona
visual artist, as well as promote
Latino art in the Phoenix area.
Moreno and friends Andrew Nava and
Sal Rivera, decided that the time had
come to do something to display
Latino art in public venues, and not
only be able to see it at people’s
homes. “We were all hearing the
same thing: ‘we only get to see
Latino art at people’s homes’, so we
talked, pitched in, and decided to get a studio to showcase Latino art”, said Nava, a Phoenix physician and art
supporter. Nava added that the vision behind Cuervo Studio & Gallery is not only to have an art venue, but also to
offer art classes to the community and to influence young people through art.
“I am very excited,” expressed Martin Moreno, a community-based artist, who thanked attendees for the opportunity
to share his work. Moreno’s work, much of which he has devoted to mentoring and teaching young people and
students, has spanned over four decades. He, among other established and emerging local artists, account for a
growing Latino art movement in Arizona.
The grand opening of Cuervo Studio won’t take place until mid-September, but the group wanted to get a sense of
their new venue from friends and acquaintances through a preview of the studio and gallery, and show, at the same
time, their progress before the big day. “It is wonderful to see the (art) pieces and a lot of space around them,” said
Brian Barabe, a recently retired teacher and long time art promoter. “I really like Martin’s works; they are some of my
favorites.”
For Sylvia Hernandez-Moreno, the artist’s agent and wife, the venue means more than just having a studio and a
gallery; it means the fulfillment of a lifetime goal. “It was our dream forever; we waited over twenty years.”
Hernandez-Moreno also said that Cuervo Studio & Gallery is the result of a lot of hard work they’ve done for many
years.
Rivera, a Phoenix attorney and long time friend of Martin Moreno, stated that they created this space not just to
share Martin’s art, but more importantly, to celebrate art, Latino art, Indian art and so forth. He, as Nava, stressed
their purpose to reach out youth with art classes and more exposure to art. “This is a small effort to do whatever we
can to bring young people in and further their inner talents,” added Rivera.
Cuervo Studio & Gallery is located at: 1505 East Thomas Road, west of 16th Street, in Phoenix.
supporter. Nava added that the vision behind Cuervo Studio & Gallery is not only to have an art venue, but also to
offer art classes to the community and to influence young people through art.
“I am very excited,” expressed Martin Moreno, a community-based artist, who thanked attendees for the opportunity
to share his work. Moreno’s work, much of which he has devoted to mentoring and teaching young people and
students, has spanned over four decades. He, among other established and emerging local artists, account for a
growing Latino art movement in Arizona.
The grand opening of Cuervo Studio won’t take place until mid-September, but the group wanted to get a sense of
their new venue from friends and acquaintances through a preview of the studio and gallery, and show, at the same
time, their progress before the big day. “It is wonderful to see the (art) pieces and a lot of space around them,” said
Brian Barabe, a recently retired teacher and long time art promoter. “I really like Martin’s works; they are some of my
favorites.”
For Sylvia Hernandez-Moreno, the artist’s agent and wife, the venue means more than just having a studio and a
gallery; it means the fulfillment of a lifetime goal. “It was our dream forever; we waited over twenty years.”
Hernandez-Moreno also said that Cuervo Studio & Gallery is the result of a lot of hard work they’ve done for many
years.
Rivera, a Phoenix attorney and long time friend of Martin Moreno, stated that they created this space not just to
share Martin’s art, but more importantly, to celebrate art, Latino art, Indian art and so forth. He, as Nava, stressed
their purpose to reach out youth with art classes and more exposure to art. “This is a small effort to do whatever we
can to bring young people in and further their inner talents,” added Rivera.
Cuervo Studio & Gallery is located at: 1505 East Thomas Road, west of 16th Street, in Phoenix.
| Read other BARRIOZONA articles on Martin Moreno: The Responsibilty of Art and Monoprint Extravaganza |
