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Cuervo Studio and Gallery: A New Latino Art Venue
Por Eduardo Barraza
BARRIOZONA
August 7, 2007
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 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.
Copyright © 2007 Hispanic Institute of Social Issues
Grassroots Journalism
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