Compiled by the
El Reportero’s staff
The UC Santa Barbara Library has acquired the Mission Gráfica Collection and La Raza Graphics Collection from the Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts (MCCLA) in San Francisco’s Mission District. These two discrete collections together consist of an estimated 2,000 historical silkscreen print posters from the Chicano/Latino visual arts movement, plus organizational records from the MCCLA. The archives will become part of the California Ethnic and Multicultural Archives (CEMA), a division of UCSB Library’s Special Research Collections.
This event is open to the public to enjoy a Mission Gráfica art display, musical performances, and snacks and refreshments.
The collections “are now housed in an institution of higher education that values the archives, and understands the social and political context that gave rise to them,” said Linda Lucero, former executive director of La Raza Silkscreen Center/La Raza Graphics (which was once a separate organization and later merged with the MCCLA.) “Knowing the archives are preserved and accessible to current and future scholars, curators, historians, and others is a dream come true,” Lucero said.
“Not only are we procuring the long-term preservation of this unique collection, said MCCLA Executive Director Jennie Emire Rodríguez, “but we are also providing access to our local and global community.
Some of the artists featured in the collections are Juana Alicia, Rene Castro, Juan Fuentes, Pete Gallegos, Linda Lucero, Ralph Maradiaga, Oscar Melara, Consuelo Méndez, Irene Pérez, Michael Ríos, Patricia Rodrigues, Jos Sances and Hebert Siguenza.
Artist Gallegos, one of the founders of La Raza Silkscreen Center/La Raza Graphics, said, “This artwork in its entirety represents and memorializes an important and crucial period of community action, organizing and passion of what we used to call ‘El Movimiento’ (the Chicano Movement). Precipitated by the 60s civil rights and anti-war movements, the artwork… documents the Latino/Chicano experience, aspirations, contributions, and expectations of the 70s, 80s, and right up to the present day. As the artists move on and the arts organizations adapt to the new times, the artwork in this collection/archive will remain for the rest of the world to see who we were and what we did for our community.”
A reception to celebrate the acquisition will take place from 10:30-12 p.m. on Thursday, June 11, 2015, at the MCCLA, 2868 Mission St., San Francisco.
Please RSVP your attendance by emailing events@missionculturalcenter.org
Eliana López in her biligual monologue ¿Cual es el Escándalo? for a three-weekend-long series
Award-winning film, theater, and television actress, Eliana López, presents an original piece created by her and her brother Alfonso López and produced by Ivette Carolina Agudelo, celebrating Latina women’s values through a comedic one-woman show. Through her various characterizations, López covers themes such as immigration, discrimination, and racism, demonstrating the power of one woman daring enough to speak her truth.
Eliana López born in Caracas, Venezuela, made her debut at 16 as the main actress in the prestigious National Theatre Company of Venezuela. She has since worked in Mexico and Venezuela, and her most recent work includes Spanish theatrical performances of The Vagina Monologues.
General admission for this event costs $18 Advance until May 3, and $20 after May 4. Admission to week one and week two performances are guaranteed, and admission to week three performances will be by popular demand only.
At the Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts (MCCLA), beginning Friday, May 29 from 8-9:15 p.m. through Sunday June 14 from 6–7:15 p.m.
