The Burrito Files - Therese

Are you a Tucson native? No. Boston.
What are you doing downtown today? Exploring my creativity.
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? Potential, people, inspiration.
If downtown Tucson were a burrito what would be in it? light, fun, and crunch.
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? Yes. I have a wonderful, inspiring studio space with a wonderful inspiring colleague.
Interview and photo by Julie Ray at Open Studio Tour, C.O. Brown House, 3/15/09

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 - 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 - 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

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 - 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 - 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

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

Burrito Files in Open Studio Tour!

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