THE ELECTION AND CARLOS ALMARAZ.

No, Carlos Almaráz is not a write-in candidate for President. Your Tia just wants you to know that this week Latinopia is all about the National Election on the November 6th and the incredible art exhibit “Almaraz- A Life Recalled” currently on exhibit at the Vincent Price Museum at East Los Angeles College.

So your Tia had heard about Carlos Almaráz before but I wanted to get the real low-down. So I asked my veterano Tio Braulio. He remembers Carlos well, says he was not only a brilliant artist but also a social activist. He worked with César Chávez and the farm worker’s movement, was part of the Los Four art collective, the first Chicano group to show at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and, of course, had his own artistic trajectory. Sadly, he passed away in 1989.

Latinopia visited on opening night of the exhibit which was curated by the talented and visionary Karen Rapp of the Vincent Price Museum with the help of Elsa Flores Almaráz, the widow of Carlos Almaráz, and his good  friend Dan Guerrero. Check out Latinopia Art Carlos Almaráz. Also, for those of you living in Southern California, there will be a panel discussion by friends of Carlos Almaráz, (including Barbara Carrasco, Richard Duarte, John Valdez and Frank Romero) on Saturday, November 10, from 2-4PM at the Vincent Price Museum. No sean flojos, vayan a ver!

We’re also reposting the interview with Elsa Flores, an artist in her own right, speaking about the collaborative support that she and Carlos gave one another. And also check out the excerpt from Dan Guerrero’s one-man show, GAYTINO, in which he speaks about Carlos and his passing.

We have a guest blog this week from Dr. Thelma Reyna, speaking about the importance for Latinos to vote and have their voice heard. Also check out Thinking Latina with Sara Inés Calderón, telling us why she votes and admonishing us to get out there on Tuesday.

Be sure to check our other regular blogs Zombie Mex Diaries and Arnie and Porfi.

Abrazos,

TT