Monday, February 25, 2013

Gregg Barrios awarded 2012 Artist Foundation grant

Gregg Barrios (with Sophie Bolles)
at Artist Foundation Reception

In 2012, the Artist Foundation made its sixth cycle of awards to artists residing in Bexar County, Texas. Each award is for $5,000 and is made for the creation of new, original work. The awards are designed to recognize artistic achievement, dedication to an artistic discipline and the potential for further professional development. Awards are made for a proposed project, which may already be in progress but should be completed by the end of the grant period of one year. Prior to receiving award funds, artists must sign a contract with the Foundation that specifies certain responsibilities. These responsibilities are intended to ensure that the award funds will be used in a manner that satisfies the Foundation's charitable purposes.

The Artist Foundation’s 2012 awards ceremony was held on January 23, 2013, at the Liberty Bar. “I can't understand why people are afraid of new ideas. I'm afraid of old ones.” Paula Owen, president of the Southwest School of Art, quoted the late composer John Cage in her role as moderator of the awards ceremony.

Gregg Barrios (pictured above with Sophie Bolles at Artist Foundation Reception) won for playwriting. His project is “Hard Candy: The Life and Times of a Texas Bad Girl.”

Since its founding in 2006 by artist Bettie Ward and Patricia Pratchett, the Artist Foundation has given $460,000 to 84 artists. Besides gifts, where does the money come from? Parties! The next is a Moveable Art Party at Southtown locations TBA from 6 to 11 p.m. on March 2. For details, go to www.artistfound.org.

For a list of all the winners, visit here.

IN OTHER LITERARY NEWS…

My review of the just released The Routledge Concise History of Latino/a Literature, by Frederick Luis Aldama, appeared in yesterday’s El Paso Times.

Sarah Cortez’s Walking Home: Growing Up Hispanic in Houston (Texas Review Press) received Honorable Mention in the Autobiography/Biography section of the 2012 - 2013 Los Angeles Book Awards. It’s a beautiful, heartfelt book which I recommend to all.

This weekend, we celebrated the 12th anniversary of Tía Chucha’s Centro Cultural & Bookstore, 13197-A Gladstone Ave, Sylmar, California 91342.  If you haven’t been there before, you’re in for a treat: Latino/a books, community events, great coffee, and a strong dose of cultura! Make it your destination soon!

All done! So, until next Monday, enjoy the intervening posts from mis compadres y comadres at La Bloga. And remember: ¡Lea un libro!

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