THIS WEEK ON LATINOPIA: LATINOPIA HERO: DR. GARY KELLER, DIANA MOLINA’S ICONS AND SYMBOLS OF THE BORDERLAND, AND EL PASO ARTISTS MARÍA NATIVIDAD AND GASPAR ENRÍQUEZ. AND A VISIT WITH THE LATE GREAT RUDY ANAYA.
Hola mis Latinopianos! We are saddened this week to learn that we have lost another giant of our literary community with the passing of Gary Keller on July 15, 2020. Gary was instrumental in creating Bilingual Review Press, one of the earliest and long-lasting publishing house for Latina/o literature and for many years was director the Hispanic Research Center at Arizona State University. In addition Gary was responsible for writing and editing many books on Chicano art and cinema. He will be sorely missed and we are honoring his memory by reprinting a Latinopia interview with him. He is truly a Latinopia Hero.
Also this week we celebrate the publication a new book on Latino art written by Diana Molina. The book, Icons and Symbols of the Borderland, is a based on a traveling exhibit curated by Molina which features the art of members of the Juntos Art Association based in El Paso, Texas. And while we are celebrating El Paso-based artists we feature videos on Maria Natividad and Gaspar Enriquez. Check out these videos, they’re really cool.
Last but not least, in remembering the late great Rudy Anaya, we reprise the moment in 2011 when the Librotricante caravan arrived at his home in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Rudy welcomed the librotraficantes who were on their way to Tucson, Arizona, to bring books to children in Arizona where the books by Rudy Anaya and other Latino authors had been banned. Check this one out!
Enjoy your week on Latinopia and be sure to wear your mask and keep a safe distancing!
Tia Tenopia