Texas Tech professor Connie Cortez wins prize for biography

“Carmen Lomas Garza,” Texas Tech professor Constance Cortez’s biography of a Chicana artist with Texas ties, was a first place winner in the category of Best Arts Book (English) at the 2011 International Latino Book Awards.

Cortez, an associate professor in Tech’s School of Art, wrote the book as part of the “A Ver: Revisioning Art History” series conducted by UCLA’s Chicano Art Research Center.

Cortez has written and edited four books. She is writing an encyclopedia entry that looks at the interface between Chicano/Chicana literature and art, and an article for a Mexican journal on Chicana muralists.

Cortez also has taught courses in Colonial Art of Mexico and Peru, 19th and 20th century Mexican Art and Contemporary Chicana Art.

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Cruisin’ Magulandia

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A Benefit for the Preservation of a Legacy
August 13 –30, 2011
252 South Main Street, Pomona, CA 91767

Opening Reception: Saturday August 13, 2011 at 3:00–10:00 p.m.
Closing Reception: Saturday August 27, 2011 at 6:00–10:00 p.m.

The dA CENTER FOR THE ARTS is honored to host a benefit art exhibition for one of the most influential figures in the Chicano Art movement, Gilbert “Magu” Luján who recently passed away. The exhibition will open to the public during Pomona’s Second Saturday Art Walk on August 13. Items will be offered at many price levels, so everyone can “take home a Magu.” Please join us in celebrating and preserving his legacy.

We cordially invite collectors to attend a special preview reception on Friday August 12, 2011 at 7:00-9:00 p.m. to get early access to some of Magu’s never before shown original artworks. Enjoy wine and hors d’oeuvres to the mellow music of Maria Elena Gaitan aka “Chola con Cello.” Reserve your tickets now.

Come back on August 27 for an afternoon of music in celebration of an amazing man and his expansive collection of work. The closing reception will feature musical performances by Conjunto Los Pochos, singer/songwriter/artist Eloy Torrez and more!

All proceeds from the events will go to support the preservation of Gilbert “Magu” Luján’s artistic legacy.

Any donations toward the benefit exhibition are tax deductible through the dA CENTER FOR THE ARTS, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. For more information, please contact: Marcella Swett at (909) 397-9716.

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Graffiti Talk

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In celebration of urban art and music, on Thursday, July 21, famed L.A. graffiti artist Chaz Bojórquez will host an art talk at the Geffen Contemporary. Starting at 6:30 p.m., Bojórquez will lead an exhibition walkthrough of “Art in the Streets.” His work, which combines East L.A. Chicano graffiti and Asian calligraphy and is featured in the exhibit, will be up for discussion in Little Tokyo.

“As one of the artists that has long been part of the street art scene in Los Angeles, he seemed like an obvious choice to provide a historical perspective,” said Aandrea Stang, senior education program manager at the museum.

The event is free and open to the public. Reservations are not required.

The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA is at 152 N. Central Ave., (213) 621-1745 , or moca.org

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Summer Institute of Arts and Languages

Sign up for classes in music, theater, language and dance

this summer in San Jose, California.

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