Saturday, November 22, 2008

The Burrito Files at December 5th Opening of "Rooted in Place"

The Burrito Files has been invited to be part of the artists' reception for "Rooted in Place," featuring photography by Jim Boehme and Leigh Spigelman and vignettes by Marlene H. Phillips, Steve Surfaro, and Monica Surfaro Spigelman. Monica is a colleague, a friend, and a passionate supporter of downtown Tucson.

Friday, December 5
6 - 10pm
Arts Incubator Gallery
108 E. Congress

The Burrito Files - Jen

Are you a Tucson native? If not, where are you from? No. East Coast.
What are you doing downtown today? Making a lampshade.
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? Funky, sad, construction.
If downtown Tucson were a burrito what would be in it? white race, Pace salsa and ground beef.
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? I moved here on the Greyhound and arrived in downtown.
Photo & interview by Julie Ray, 11/09/08

The Burrito Files - Cristina

Are you a Tucson native? If not, where are you from? No. Guadalajara.
What are you doing downtown today? Part of Open Studio Tour.
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? energetic, expectation, art movement.
If downtown Tucson were a burrito what would be in it? definitely artists - the main ingredient, politicians to understand how important the art is, musicians, beans, cilantro
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? A lot. I had my first art exhibit at Arte Hispano. I met Luis Bernal, Luis Jimenez, and Judy Baca downtown. Downtown has been the key of my career.
Photo & interview by Julie Ray, 11/09/08

The Burrito Files - Lucia

Are you a Tucson native? If not, where are you from? No. Bolivia.
What are you doing downtown today? Going to Open Studios.
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? Almost there.
If downtown Tucson were a burrito what would be in it? la mescla de nuevo y otro
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? I live here - Armory Park.
Self-interview. Photo by Julie Ray, 11/09/08

The Burrito Files - Gazelle/John

Are you a Tucson native? If not, where are you from? No. Washington state
What are you doing downtown today? showing family around Tucson
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? deflated, small, vacant, quiet
If downtown Tucson were a burrito what would be in it? really plain beans, dirt, just rice
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? No
Photo & interview by Julie Ray, 11/09/08

The Burrito Files - Liz

Are you a Tucson native? If not, where are you from? No. Moved around a lot. Came here from Atlanta.
What are you doing downtown today? Came for Open Studios Tour.
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? windy, twinkles, lively
If downtown Tucson were a burrito what would be in it? good mixture of lots of tasty, spicy complementary flavors
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? I met my best friend there and one year later I met my adorable boyfriend.
Interview by Julie Ray, Photo by Jen Casados 11/09/08
Liz (L) and Julie (R) wear necklaces by Jen Casados (bought that day at the Open Studio Tour)

The Burrito Files - Cynthia

Are you a Tucson native? If not, where are you from? Yes
What are you doing downtown today? Volunteer at El Centro for Tucson Tours (Board Member of El Centro)
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? abandon, lively weekends
If downtown Tucson were a burrito what would be in it? more Tucson artist boutiques, shops, music and restaurants of all cultures.
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? Ringling Brothers parade to the TCC. (Ringling Brothers would put on a special show for kids in the neighborhood and let them see the animals up close)
Self-interview, Photo by Julie Ray, 11/09/08

The Burrito Files - Caitlin

Are you a Tucson native? If not, where are you from? Yes
What are you doing downtown today? visiting, checking out the art
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? cozy, eclectic, historic
If downtown Tucson was a burrito what would be in it? avocado, jalapeño, a beans mixture, carne
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? I went to my first concert.
Photo & interview by Julie Ray, 11/09/08
Caitlin is on the right, posing with Hallie and Erica

The Burrito Files - Evangelina & Herminia

Are you a Tucson native? If not, where are you from? Yes
What are you doing downtown today? Went to church (St. Augustine's)
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? good memories/I love it.
If downtown Tucson were a burrito what would be in it? music, more arts, food more of it / culture, fun, excitement, memories and a little bit of salsa
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? I got a free rental of a convertible one time for a weekend and I rode around downtown all weekend long talking about memories / a lot of quality time together.
Photo & interview by Julie Ray, 11/09/08
Evangelina (L) and Herminia (R)

The Burrito Files - Josh

Are you a Tucson native? If not, where are you from? No. Everywhere.
What are you doing downtown today? Visiting open studios.
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? empty, windblown, fragmented
If downtown Tucson was a burrito what would be in it? ice cream, gardens, fragrant smell from local restaurants, performance art, people, a multicultural arts center, a youth center..
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? I discovered my voice for teaching.
Photo & interview by Julie Ray, 11/09/08

Monday, November 10, 2008

The Burrito Files - Emma/Ronwyn

Are you a Tucson native? If not, where are you from? Yes / No, San Diego.
What are you doing downtown today? Touring open studios.
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? growing, active, creative / casual, ethnic, homey
If downtown Tucson was a burrito what would be in it? footprints, traffic, trees and laughter / people, food, art.
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? I went to high school downtown / I was proposed to downtown.
Photo & interview by Julie Ray, 11/08/08

The Burrito Files - Joe

Are you a Tucson native? If not, where are you from? Yes.
What are you doing downtown today? Board member of El Centro since day one.
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? Needs more activity.
If downtown Tucson was a burrito what would be in it? Me.
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? We developed El Centro. I am a native, bilingual Tucson who does not forget my culture.
Photo & interview by Kim & Marcus Eldon, 11/08/08

The Burrito Files - Lillian

Are you a Tucson native? If not, where are you from? No, from Nogales.
What are you doing downtown today? Drinking wine and having a good time - and being told to "go to church."
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? Home. Heart of Tucson. Fun.
If downtown Tucson was a burrito what would be in it? Things.
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? I met my ex-husband here.
Photo & interview by Kim & Marcus Eldon, 11/08/08

The Burrito Files - Antonio

Are you a Tucson native? If not, where are you from? No. Mexico City.
What are you doing downtown today? Helping to celebrate the open studio affair.
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? Needs more activities.
If downtown Tucson was a burrito what would be in it? Frijoles y arroz.
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? No.
Photo & interview by Julie Ray, 11/08/08

The Burrito Files - Susan

Are you a Tucson native? If not, where are you from? No. Philadelphia.
What are you doing downtown today? Open Studio Tour.
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? Spiritual. Artistic. Cinematic.
If downtown Tucson was a burrito what would be in it? Hot chile peppers, salsa.
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? The first time I came here, part of my spirit felt like it belonged here.
Photo & interview by Julie Ray, 11/08/08

The Burrito Files - Mike

Are you a Tucson native? If not, where are you from? No. Boston, Philadelphia.
What are you doing downtown today? Looking to do an art project at El Centro
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? cold, uninhabited, commercial
If downtown Tucson was a burrito what would be in it? bland, no taste
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? A restaurant or two and 4th Avenue
Self-interview. Photo by Julie Ray, 11/08/08

Sunday, November 9, 2008

The Burrito Files - Kim

Are you a Tucson native? If not, where are you from? No. New York City.
What are you doing downtown today? Open Studio Tour.
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? Half-done in a funky way.
If downtown Tucson was a burrito what would be in it? Beans because they're cheap (downtown is still a relatively cheap place to live), cheesy, old ground beef.
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? I chose to buy a house and raise my son downtown because of the ethnic diversity.
Interview by Julie Ray, Photo by Marcus, 11/08/08
(Kim is on the right)

The Burrito Files - Marcus

Are you a Tucson native? If not, where are you from? No. New Yorkan.
What are you doing downtown today? studio tour.
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? good, tall buildings, nice smells.
If downtown Tucson was a burrito what would be in it? cactus, lemons and grapefruit.
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? A Halloween parade at school. Made a friend named Ne and a neighbor named Julieta.
Photo & interview by Julie Ray, 11/08/08

The Burrito Files - Tim

Are you a Tucson native? If not, where are you from? I'm from Pennsylvania.
What are you doing downtown today? The open studio tour.
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? Hot and growing.
If downtown Tucson was a burrito what would be in it? Art, bums, bikes, sprinkled with restaurants.
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? I opened my business.
Photo & interview by Natalie Fruciano, 11/08/08

The Burrito Files - Natalie

Are you a Tucson native? If not, where are you from? No. Phoenix.
What are you doing downtown today? Open Studio Tour.
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? sprawly yet compact
If downtown Tucson was a burrito what would be in it? Little dormant seeds waiting to sprout.
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? For a year I lived downtown. I work downtown. I met my boyfriend downtown.
Interview by Julie Ray, Photo by Tim Bowen, 11/08/08

The Burrito Files - Julieta

Are you a Tucson native? If not, where are you from? Yes.
What are you doing downtown today? Today I came to celebrate Tucson in autumn and visit a friend's art exhibit.
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? Es mi casa.
If downtown Tucson was a burrito what would be in it? chorizo, dash of cloves for richness, dash of nutmeg for warmth, lots of chili powder for tradition.
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? My entire childhood and then some.
Photo & interview by Kim & Marcus Eldon, 11/08/08

The Burrito Files - Amy

Are you a Tucson native? If not, where are you from? No. New York.
What are you doing downtown today? Touring open studios.
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? eclectic, Western, hopeful
If downtown Tucson was a burrito what would be in it? lots of people all the time, mixed use buildings, sidewalk cafes and some pedestrian only streets. Wig-o-Rama.
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? I went to an amazing costume party at the Fox Theatre
Photo & interview by Julie Ray, 11/08/08

The Burrito Files - Kara

Are you a Tucson native? If not, where are you from? No. New Orleans.
What are you doing downtown today? Attending the Open Studio Tour
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? it's becoming vibrant
If downtown Tucson was a burrito what would be in it? experimental restaurants and shops where I can feel the excitement of the creative energy in Tucson.
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? During the All Souls Procession last year, I discovered how much I loved being in a parade. A poetry crawl several years ago opened my eyes to the idea of bringing commercial establishments together with artists and poets. I fell in love downtown.
Photo & interview by Julie Ray, 11/08/08

Open Studio Tour A Success!


The Open Studio Tour at El Centro Cultural de las Americas was a success. We did 20+ interviews and enjoyed the work of artists Therese Perreault, Kim Eldon, Jennifer Casados, April Romo de Vivar, Mariana Caballero, Cristina Cardenas, and Samuel Ace. Thanks to everyone who participated and stopped by!

Front of El Centro on Broadway

Burrito cart set up in courtyard

Magnet board of past Burrito Files answers

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Burrito Files in Open Studio Tour!

For a complete list of participating artists and studios visit the TPAC website.