Celebrating Community and Creativity at the Chicano Art Festival
This past January, I had the distinct honor of being invited by Diego, the organizer of the Chicano Art Festival: Celebrating Chicano Creativity, to participate in their Tucson event. I was thrilled for the opportunity! Not only did it allow me to interact with a new audience, but it was held indoors at the Viscount Suites. This meant I didn’t have to haul and set up my heavy tent and the 200 pounds of leg weights I’d wrestled with the previous weekend.
Honoring Cultural Art and Heritage
The Chicano Art Festival is a heartfelt tribute to the vibrant history and traditions of Chicano communities. It celebrates the artistic talent, roots, stories, and enduring spirit that shape a unique cultural heritage and collective identity.
While I knew the term “Chicano” was rooted in Hispanic culture, I wanted to understand its precise meaning. I learned that “Chicano” specifically refers to Americans of Mexican origin or descent. The term is believed to be derived from Mexicano and serves as a badge of empowerment and pride.
Living in Tucson, the Mexican influence is a constant joy. This region was part of the state of Sonora after Mexico won independence from Spain in 1821, eventually becoming part of the U.S. through the Gadsden Purchase in 1853. Of course, the history of this land goes back even further, with Paleo-Indians living in the Tucson area for some 12,000 years!
Connections and Community
I set up my display in a cozy corner of the hotel lobby. The festival featured a wonderful variety of vendors offering everything from handmade jewelry and artwork to traditional candies and sports items. As one of the few non-Hispanic vendors, I felt incredibly welcomed and eager to share my work.
The event featured several inspiring speakers, including Representative Adelita Grijalva, whom I was delighted to meet. My booth was positioned right in front of the hotel’s fountain. I spent my downtime trying to discern a pattern in the water’s rhythmic spurts, while watching children lean over the ledge to splash—a joyful sight that reminded me why I write for young readers.
My favorite part of the event was the Chula Cherries. Usually, I find the chile flavor overpowers the sweet cherry. This culinary artisan found the perfect ratio! I noticed many packages walking by me. She definitely deserved great sales.
The Power of Bilingual Storytelling
I have had several of my books translated into Spanish and now offer them as bilingual versions. I love the idea of children being able to read a story in their first language while simultaneously practicing the language they are learning.
While these picture books are written for children, they often educate adults, too. Interestingly, when I sell at the 4th Avenue Street Fair, many adults purchase my bilingual books to help themselves learn Spanish! As someone who admires anyone who can speak more than one language, I am happy to provide a tool that makes that journey a bit more fun.
I was so grateful to be part of this celebration of creativity and heritage. I look forward to participating in more events like this that weave together the diverse stories of our desert home.
Looking for a way to practice your Spanish while learning about nature? Explore my bilingual books and help your little ones (or yourself!) grow their vocabulary.
