Flavor Fusion
Juice Box art exhibit
Reception: 6 to 9 p.m., Saturday, May 1
On display: noon to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, through Saturday, May 8
Lulubell Toy Bodega
439 N. Sixth Ave., Suite 187
622-5858;
Renee Gonzalez was lucky enough to have a father who encouraged her to pursue her dreams. For Renee, this meant drawing.
She entered the UA knowing that art would probably not be the most prosperous career path—but Gonzalez knew that it was what she loved to do the most.
"I communicate with art what others do with words, and writing," Gonzalez said. "I grew up with a unique eye for the world around me. I saw the texture, shadow, light and color that others around me couldn't seem to pick up, and I could put it on paper."
Her years of hard work—and that of her peers—will culminate in a gallery showing by illustrators from the UA class of 2010, called Juice Box.
The show's name is a metaphor for the group's diverse interests, styles and tastes all coming together.
"The show is full of different and refreshing art work, unexpected ways of representing a theme, and making it even more appealing to the viewer," said Cynthia Veloz, a student and one of the exhibit's curators. "The show is presenting a very talented group of artists with very different ways of representing and bringing an image to life."
Gonzalez's style incorporates nature and all of the beauty that can be found in the complexity of both flora and fauna.
"My style is based on my experience and my interests, and what inspires me is the natural world," she said.
Gonzalez chooses to work with scratchboard, or clay etchings; the media on display in Juice Box will include paintings, drawings, digital work and more.
"The event is a great opportunity for the community to see what these emerging artists are producing," Gonzalez said. "There is an amazing amount of talent here."
Admission is free. —S.F.
Taking It From the Streets
My Addiction Gallery grand opening
7 to 9 p.m., Friday, April 30
My Addiction Gallery
439 N Sixth Ave., Suite 159
665-9750;
Those who appreciate street art (including graffiti) will want to check out the grand opening of Tucson's first street-art gallery.
Harvey Kivel, owner of My Addiction Gallery, decided to open the gallery after he himself became very interested in street art, and decided that everyone should be able to appreciate the work of these artists.
"I became obsessed; it became my addiction, hence the name," he said.
The gallery will specialize in original and limited editions.
"Galleries are taking notice of limited-edition prints, because the originals are painted on a wall somewhere," explained Kivel.
Kivel said street art is becoming popular all around the world. "It's the universal need to create," he said. "Even though you might not have heard of this type of art or the artists, six months to a year from now, (there) will be an explosion."
The gallery will host different exhibits every month. Some of the artists whose work will show at the gallery include Mr. Brainwash, who did the cover for Madonna's Celebration album; D*face, from London, who designed the cover for Christina Aguilera's Bionic; Shepard Fairey, the man behind Obama's "Hope" poster; and many others.
There are many diverse media depicted in the gallery, including art on posters, aluminum and wood. There is even a collage piece, by Prefab77, from England, on a Volvo door.
Admission to My Addiction Gallery is free. Call or visit the website for more information. —T.D.
Nourishing Community, Stomachs
Orchestras Feeding America benefit concert: "Vive la France!"
3 p.m., Sunday, May 2
UA Centennial Hall
1020 E. University Blvd.
621-1162;
On Sunday, students who belong to the Arizona Symphony Orchestra, the UA Symphonic Choir and the Arizona Choir will be showing Tucson what it means to feed America—in more ways than one.
"I embrace the double-meaning of the campaign's title," said Thomas Cockrell, the conductor of the Arizona Symphony. "Orchestras, and other musical and arts organizations, feed our communities in many ways—with education, entertainment and the enrichment of our personal and communal lives."
The choirs and symphony had already set their season finale, "Vive la France!," when the League of American Orchestras began their nationwide campaign, Orchestras Feeding America. The groups decided to mold their event to this humanitarian effort.
"Our goal is to shine a spotlight on the persistent prevalence of hunger in our communities, exacerbated by the tough economic times that we all feel—but that some feel much more acutely," Cockrell said.
The directors of the event felt that the music and the mission went hand in hand. Two music terms illustrate this: symphony (meaning "harmony of sounds") and philharmonic ("loving harmony"). These meanings, for Cockrell, show the ability and the necessity of music to draw people together.
"Life without music is unthinkable for most of us," he said. "Making music is itself an act of generosity and communal effort. It is natural for musicians to want to share this spirit with their audience, and, in this concert, with those less fortunate and in need."
Tickets to the event are $5, but audience members can receive 2-for-1 admission with canned food and check donations to the Community Food Back or Interfaith Community Services. —S.F.
Protect Yourself
"Living in Harmony With the Sun"
10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, May 1 and 2
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
2021 N. Kinney Road
626-1037;
If you plan to spend some time in the sun—and in Tucson, is there any other option?—you may want to attend "Living in Harmony With the Sun."
"We focus on both the prevention and early detection of skin cancer," said Denise Spartonos, community outreach coordinator at the Skin Cancer Institute at the Arizona Cancer Center.
The event will feature health educators, pharmacists, interactive educational displays and even a fashion show of sun-safe clothing. Dermatologists will also conduct a limited number of skin-cancer screenings, to help event-goers determine whether they need further screening.
Spartonos feels that all Tucsonans can benefit from tips on sun protection—especially those Tucsonans responsible for young children. "I cringe when I see young children outside without hats, long sleeves or sunscreen. Just a few sunburns in childhood can put someone at greater risk of developing skin cancer later in life," she said.
Spartonos encourages those who may not take sun safety seriously to learn a lesson from what people in Southern Arizona did before the days of sunscreen and extensive skin-cancer research.
"A cowboy didn't have too many parts that were exposed and was covered with long pants, a long-sleeve shirt, a wide-brimmed hat and even a bandana," said Spartonos. "Many of our folks who work outside take common-sense precautions. We still do have a percentage of our population that is seeking the 'perfect tan' and is not taking the associated damage seriously."
Admission to the event is free with admission to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum: $13 for adults, and $4.25 for children age 6 to 12. Children younger than 5 get in for free. —T.D.
