Cuervo Studio and Gallery: A New Latino
Art Venue in Phoenix
Art Venue in Phoenix
Text and photographs by Eduardo Barraza
Phoenix, Arizona. August 7, 2007. An Arizona artist and a small group of Latino art enthusiasts have
come together to make a difference in the Valley’s art landscape. Under the name of Latino Art Project,
the group hosted on August 3rd, the premier of Cuervo Studio & Gallery, a new space created to house
the artwork of Martin Moreno, a long-time Arizona visual artist, as well as promote Latino art in the
Phoenix area.
Moreno and friends Andrew Nava and Sal Rivera, decided that the time had come to do something to
display Latino art in public venues, and not only be able to see it at people’s homes. “We were all
hearing the same thing: ‘we only get to see Latino art at people’s homes’, so we talked, pitched in, and
decided to get a studio to showcase Latino art”, said Nava, a Phoenix physician and art supporter. Nava
added that the vision behind Cuervo Studio & Gallery is not only to have an art venue, but also to offer
art classes to the community and to influence young people through art.
“I am very excited,” expressed Martin Moreno, a community-based artist, who thanked attendees for the
opportunity to share his work. Moreno’s work, much of which he has devoted to mentoring and teaching
young people and students, has spanned over four decades. He, among other established and emerging
local artists, account for a growing Latino art movement in Arizona.
The grand opening of Cuervo Studio won’t take place until mid-September, but the group wanted to get
a sense of their new venue from friends and acquaintances through a preview of the studio and gallery,
and show, at the same time, their progress before the big day. “It is wonderful to see the (art) pieces
and a lot of space around them,” said Brian Barabe, a recently retired teacher and long time art
promoter. “I really like Martin’s works; they are some of my favorites.”
For Sylvia Hernandez-Moreno, the artist’s agent and wife, the venue means more than just having a
studio and a gallery; it means the fulfillment of a lifetime goal. “It was our dream forever; we waited over
twenty years.” Hernandez-Moreno also said that Cuervo Studio & Gallery is the result of a lot of hard
work they’ve done for many years.
Rivera, a Phoenix attorney and long time friend of Martin Moreno, stated that they created this space not
just to share Martin’s art, but more importantly, to celebrate art, Latino art, Indian art and so forth. He,
as Nava, stressed their purpose to reach out youth with art classes and more exposure to art. “This is a
small effort to do whatever we can to bring young people in and further their inner talents,” added
Rivera.
Cuervo Studio & Gallery is located at: 1505 East Thomas Road, west of 16th Street, in Phoenix.
come together to make a difference in the Valley’s art landscape. Under the name of Latino Art Project,
the group hosted on August 3rd, the premier of Cuervo Studio & Gallery, a new space created to house
the artwork of Martin Moreno, a long-time Arizona visual artist, as well as promote Latino art in the
Phoenix area.
Moreno and friends Andrew Nava and Sal Rivera, decided that the time had come to do something to
display Latino art in public venues, and not only be able to see it at people’s homes. “We were all
hearing the same thing: ‘we only get to see Latino art at people’s homes’, so we talked, pitched in, and
decided to get a studio to showcase Latino art”, said Nava, a Phoenix physician and art supporter. Nava
added that the vision behind Cuervo Studio & Gallery is not only to have an art venue, but also to offer
art classes to the community and to influence young people through art.
“I am very excited,” expressed Martin Moreno, a community-based artist, who thanked attendees for the
opportunity to share his work. Moreno’s work, much of which he has devoted to mentoring and teaching
young people and students, has spanned over four decades. He, among other established and emerging
local artists, account for a growing Latino art movement in Arizona.
The grand opening of Cuervo Studio won’t take place until mid-September, but the group wanted to get
a sense of their new venue from friends and acquaintances through a preview of the studio and gallery,
and show, at the same time, their progress before the big day. “It is wonderful to see the (art) pieces
and a lot of space around them,” said Brian Barabe, a recently retired teacher and long time art
promoter. “I really like Martin’s works; they are some of my favorites.”
For Sylvia Hernandez-Moreno, the artist’s agent and wife, the venue means more than just having a
studio and a gallery; it means the fulfillment of a lifetime goal. “It was our dream forever; we waited over
twenty years.” Hernandez-Moreno also said that Cuervo Studio & Gallery is the result of a lot of hard
work they’ve done for many years.
Rivera, a Phoenix attorney and long time friend of Martin Moreno, stated that they created this space not
just to share Martin’s art, but more importantly, to celebrate art, Latino art, Indian art and so forth. He,
as Nava, stressed their purpose to reach out youth with art classes and more exposure to art. “This is a
small effort to do whatever we can to bring young people in and further their inner talents,” added
Rivera.
Cuervo Studio & Gallery is located at: 1505 East Thomas Road, west of 16th Street, in Phoenix.
barriozona.com
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Published by the Hispanic Institute of Social Issues in Phoenix, Arizona
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BIENVENIDOS Attendees had the
opportunity to view some of the
best artwork of Martin Moreno at the
new studio and gallery, located near
Downtown Phoenix,
opportunity to view some of the
best artwork of Martin Moreno at the
new studio and gallery, located near
Downtown Phoenix,
Eduardo Barraza is a journalist and writer,
Barriozona Magazine's editor, and director of
the Hispanic Insitute of Social Issues.
E-mail: editor@barriozona.com
Barriozona Magazine's editor, and director of
the Hispanic Insitute of Social Issues.
E-mail: editor@barriozona.com
