A response to Los Angeles Times article from Karen Mary Davalos
Subject: A look at Chicano art milestone
Dear Ms. Bermudez,
It is always heartening to see an article about Chicano art in the LA Times. However, I was gravely disappointed in the factual errors contained in your piece of Sat. Jan. 14, 2012.
First, in the 1970s Self-Help Graphics and Arts was not “synonymous” with Chicano art. SHG was founded in 1971 and therefore, Chicano artists were still discovering the arts center throughout the 1970s. For instance, Linda Vallejo joined as an instructor and grant-writer around 1975 and Leo Limon joined when he returned from the service in 1977. That is, SHG was creating its identity in the 1970s and by the 1980s it could be accurately described as the art center synonymous with Chicano art.
Second, Centro de Arte Publico included several female artists. Barbara Carrasco, Dolorez Guerrero Cruz and very briefly Judithe Hernandez were part of the collective. Two of these artists are included in the exhibition, Resurrected History. It is unfortunate that your piece repeats the common misperception that Chicana artists were not active leaders or participants
in the art movement and reinforces the invisibility of Chicana artists by omitting their names.
Third, it is unusual for an article about an exhibition to omit the curator. Sybil Venegas pulled off an amazing show without Getty support and your lack of acknowledgement of the curator demonstrates poor journalist practice on your part or lack of knowledge about art criticism standards at the LA Times and elsewhere. That you took her time and interviewed her for the piece and then did not acknowledge her contribution is troubling.
Quality journalism raises the bar and provides the public with solid facts and important information. Since stories about Chicano art are so rare in the LA Times, I would think that the journalist and her editor would be extra careful to get correct the historical narrative, further advance knowledge, and accurately portray the contemporary events.
I look forward to your reply.
Sincerely,
–
Karen Mary Davalos
Chair and Associate Professor
DEPT of Chicana/o Studies
Loyola Marymount University
Our project was covered in the LA Times!!!! Saturday, January 14, 2012 Page: AA3
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A response to Los Angeles Times article from Karen Mary Davalos
Subject: A look at Chicano art milestone
Dear Ms. Bermudez,
It is always heartening to see an article about Chicano art in the LA Times. However, I was gravely disappointed in the factual errors contained in your piece of Sat. Jan. 14, 2012.
First, in the 1970s Self-Help Graphics and Arts was not “synonymous” with Chicano art. SHG was founded in 1971 and therefore, Chicano artists were still discovering the arts center throughout the 1970s. For instance, Linda Vallejo joined as an instructor and grant-writer around 1975 and Leo Limon joined when he returned from the service in 1977. That is, SHG was creating its identity in the 1970s and by the 1980s it could be accurately described as the art center synonymous with Chicano art.
Second, Centro de Arte Publico included several female artists. Barbara Carrasco, Dolorez Guerrero Cruz and very briefly Judithe Hernandez were part of the collective. Two of these artists are included in the exhibition, Resurrected History. It is unfortunate that your piece repeats the common misperception that Chicana artists were not active leaders or participants
in the art movement and reinforces the invisibility of Chicana artists by omitting their names.
Third, it is unusual for an article about an exhibition to omit the curator. Sybil Venegas pulled off an amazing show without Getty support and your lack of acknowledgement of the curator demonstrates poor journalist practice on your part or lack of knowledge about art criticism standards at the LA Times and elsewhere. That you took her time and interviewed her for the piece and then did not acknowledge her contribution is troubling.
Quality journalism raises the bar and provides the public with solid facts and important information. Since stories about Chicano art are so rare in the LA Times, I would think that the journalist and her editor would be extra careful to get correct the historical narrative, further advance knowledge, and accurately portray the contemporary events.
I look forward to your reply.
Sincerely,
–
Karen Mary Davalos
Chair and Associate Professor
DEPT of Chicana/o Studies
Loyola Marymount University
Our project was covered in the LA Times!!!!
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Page: AA3
KCET Post for our project!
Saturday, January 11, 2012
http://www.kcet.org/socal/departures/landofsunshine/highland-park/resurrected-histories.html
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131 North Avenue 50
Highland Park, CA 90042
323 258 1435
ave50studio@sbcglobal.net
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