Tribute to Barrio Hollywood

Barrio Hollywood is one of Tucson's many distinctive Mexican-American neighborhoods, famous locally for its annual Fiesta Grande - a fantastic street fair along Grande Avenue, its main arterial street.  
This no-nonsense neighborhood is known for its history of activism fighting systemic racism, sub-standard education, and denigration of Mexican culture and use of the Spanish language.

This painting attempts to integrate neighborhood icons with a splash of timelessness. I also seek to honor the power of family in Tucson's barrios. Proud of its Lowrider Culture, this piece enlivened some of my own memories growing up immersed in Chicano & African-American communities of south-central L.A. and I remain a fan of classic low-rider cars and music genre to this day. 

Renown Tucson author, Patricia Preciado Martin, grew up here. Her many books about Southern Arizona's people, history and culture have inspired me for many years.  Barrio Hollywood is also home to Tucson's cherished artist, David Tineo. 

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For more information on Barrio Hollywood and its place in Tucson's history, see the booklet, Looking Into the Westside - Untold Stories of the People, now published on line.

Angelita Ochoa (below), (holding baby in the 1941 family portrait included in the painting),  saw her 97th birthday in 1995.

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