I’ll be selling limited edition prints and some of my infamous Pop Crucifixes at SOMArts this Sunday. I’ll be joined by the lovely Nicole Schach (above) and other artists selling items all for $25.00 or under. The details are below.

SUNDAY, APRIL 10, 2–6PM
SOMARTS ALL ACCESSS! Open House & Pop-Up Shop
SOMArts opens its doors for a Sunday of art, food and entertainment! Stroll through the community garden, grab lunch from a local food cart, and learn more about our classes, activities and events, including opportunities to:

• Purchase artwork and crafts made by local artists at the SOMArts Pop-up Shop—all within the accessible price range of $5–25. Coordinated by Dia de los Muertos curator Rene Yañez and Main Gallery Curator & Gallery Director Justin Hoover.
• Get a behind-the-scenes look at our studio spaces (print studio, darkroom, dance & ceramics studios), including demonstrations by Katie Gilmartin of Chrysalis Print Studio as well as Tom Ferentz and Rene Jones of Sixth Street Photography Workshop.
• Meet Ajay Deshmukh, coordinator of San Francisco’s longest-running figure drawing class! Ajay will be showing artwork from students and answering questions for the drawing-curious.
• Enjoy writers from Feast of Words: A Literary Potluck who will be eating, reading and sharing work from the monthly series.
• Visit the Mobile Arts Platform’s recreation of its Cherry Blossom Festival exhibit  in the SOMArts Bay Gallery.

Open House Workshop and Demonstration Schedule

2:00-2:30 Origami with Jeremy Shafer of Bay Area Rapid Folders
2:30–3:00 Chrysalis Studio Printmaking Demonstration with Katie Gilmartin
3:00–3:30 Darkroom Q&A with Rene and Tom of Sixth Street Photography
3:30–4:00 Yoga Meditation led by Crystal Nelson in the SOMArts Dance Studio AND Origami with Jeremy Shafer of Bay Area Rapid Folders
4:00–4:30 Chrysalis Studio Printmaking Demonstration with Katie Gilmartin
4:30–5:00 Darkroom Q&A with Rene and Tom of Sixth Street Photography
5:00–5:30 Yoga Meditation led by Crystal Nelson in the SOMArts Dance Studio

Whoa! Mayra Ramirez just let me know that our purikura collaboration is featured in a recent issue of Lowridaz, a Japanese lowrider magazine. I’m finally big in Japan!

I’m trying to get my hands on a physical copy of the magazine. It’s available for sale at Luciano Garage Market and other fine purveyors of Chicano memorabilia in Japan.

Wooohooo!

Doing an endzone dance,

Rio

Last night I was part of part of the first official planning meeting for Mexicans Love Morrissey a party/event/art exhibit centering around Morrissey, the Smiths, and Los Angeles nostalgia. The inner-circle of this event include myself, Elena White, and my podcasting partner in crime Katynka Martinez. More info on this event and future Mexicans Love Morrissey parties coming soon! Until then listen to this behind the scenes audio interview with Elena and Katynka on Morrissey and Los Angeles in the 80′s.

Mexicans Love Morrissey Meeting

Peace,

Rio

Yesterday Sarah and I went took shelter from the rain inside of Colonial Donuts. It was my first time there and I partook in a delicious apple fritter. Amidst the the 70′s wallpaper and cheap woodpaneling of the place I began to question if I was betraying my Chicano political conscience by consuming a colonial donut with such glee. I mean, it’s not like there’s an Aztec Donuts out there, right? Is a neo-colonial donut better or worse than a colonial donut? Am I reading too much into this in an attempt to maintain my Chicano credibility?

Maybe I’m just craving a donut.

Rio

The artwork that I donated to Artspan’s fundraiser auction was selected for a Juror’s Choice Award. I’m doing a pachuco gangsta lean in celebration.

For more info on the auction CLICK HERE.

Peace,

Rio