¡Firme!

By Miguel Maltos Gonzales

¡Firme! started as a platform for a Chicano artist to connect with community during pandemic and from a politically conservative area. Today, the discussion is focused on contemporary Chicano arts and culture from Central Texas.

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Coming home

¡Firme!Sep 06, 2023

00:00

04:42

As you know by previous episodes, my father inspired me to explore photography. In this first episode of the second season he shares where he started on his photographic journey in San Antonio, TX in the early 1940's as a boy. In sharing a moment of my family's creative roots with you, I encourage you to reflect on your roots. Who are the family members that made changes in their path, how did those changes influence the next generations, who directly steered you on the path you're on today, how will you influence as an elder when it's your time? I'm blessed to still hear his voice in person. Because some day I will only be able to hear him in memories and this episode. Hold your elders close, they always have plenty to share.

Sep 24, 202139:35

Mixt Collective A discussion on navigating as a mixed race person in a binary world.

The first episode of season two invite Ami y Tara “Trinity”. The co-founders of Mixt Collective. Ami is a Japanese-Chilean musician, arts administrator, and facilitator with Equity in Arts Leadership Program Coordinator at Americans for the Arts. Developing and implementing programs to enhance the skills of emerging artists. In addition, she writes music, and serves as co-chair for Dance/NYC’s Junior Committee. Tara "Trinity" is the founding Arts+Culture program director at the nation’s adult charter model Carlos Rosario School and serves as the Past President of Art Education DC. Elevates her mixed identity as classical pianist, a Polynesian dancer, an Emmy-winning bilingual television show host, and a Broadway singer/actress.

Together they have started the conversation of identifying as a mixed race person navigating through the binary social constructs imposed upon us. Mixt Creative is the space to express identity, share your thoughts, and be accepted by what other consider the in-between. You belong.

Instagram: @mixt.collective @amitamarsanto @tara_trinityyyyy

Mixt Collective Healing & Elevation session: Sign-up-form

Contact Mixt Collective: mixtcollective@gmail.com

Mar 24, 202149:03

Camera cuentos - Privileged Photographer

As a photographer I’ve been privileged and have been aware since I was in high school. I remember having a wide variety of equipment, whereas others had only one camera and lens for all assignments. Having been aware, I’ve made it my mission to share what I know, and help others work with what they have.

Dec 03, 202020:59

Camera cuentos-Making photos vs taking photos

Making or taking photos??? Many photographers go on and on about the features, hi sensitivity sensors, fast fames per second, and stuff. It’s never about the gear, and all about the artist’s vision. Call me old school, but being raised in a pobre art family I learned to use my resources wisely. I had to understand how to make an image and not rely on the camera for my art. The camera is only a tool. This is the first of a small photography series starting the camera cuentos!

Nov 26, 202028:12

Names matter! Ask my tío Bob Bear...

Names have connection to our identity and individual personalities. Have you ever had an issue where someone couldn’t pronounce your name? Perhaps they aren’t able to say your name, or they snooze not to try. There’s a difference... Allowing others to change, misspell, or purposefully mispronounce names can have an impact on that person then and in the future. #whatsinaname #cultureproblems #ownyiurenye #ownyourname

Nov 19, 202022:13

Who doesn’t have an accent?

While serving in the military, I have seen as much or more discrimination than the art world. Until recently the military concept of inclusion, diversity, and cultural consideration is similar to comparing conjunto to cumbia... country to western. Only with in the past year has the military acknowledged and openly discussed racism within the ranks.

Nov 12, 202024:49

Where do I belong?

As gente in the USA we have indigenous roots, European heritage, and daily American influences. We often express our micro individualities such as Mexican, Cuban, Salvadoran, etc., and then the macro culture of adding Afro or LGBTQ+ before the micro culture. How can we maintain our individuality and still self identify to unite as a single connected community? How can we connect as gente, and still celebrate our individuality?

Nov 09, 202023:29

The two A’s in culture

In culture there’s always two As. The appreciation and appropriation of any culture by various means. In a community like Spokane, WA I experience plenty of both. Some with intention, and some without. For a community that is learning to be diverse, it’s a growing pain that affects many.

Visit and support the Dia de los Muertos artists featured on LTNXartes.com hosted from Guatemala, Mexico, y Los Angeles.

Nov 03, 202027:53

Youth artist talks

The more young artists experience conversation with contemporary artists the more they develop a deeper connection to finding their own creative flow. Connecting with artists of color helps the future arts and culture community become more inclusive and truly breaks barriers. En solidaridad, we will build a stronger arts community one artist at a time.

Oct 30, 202022:11

No matter where you go, your ancestors are with you.

As I come closer to Día de los Muertos in Spokane, I’m reminded of the celebrations in San Antonio. We have multiple events, parades, and ofrendas in cultural spaces across the city. Whereas in Spokane, we have one event in a borrowed space.

Visit and support the Dia de los Muertos artists featured on LTNXartes.com hosted from Guatemala, Mexico, y Los Angeles.

Oct 28, 202022:33

¡Ánimo ánimo ánimo!

Usually my creative energy is gone by October, and recharges after Día de los Muertos. However after recent photographic work with buena gente, the animo is recharged! Everything looks a little different today, and it’s not just because we have our first snowfall! “¡Ánimo ánimo ánimo!”, as my grandmother would say while she raises her hands to the sun.

Visit and support the Dia de los Muertos artists featured on LTNXartes.com hosted from Guatemala, Mexico, y Los Angeles.

Oct 23, 202024:11

The walls we make

When we are confronted with challenges we can oppose or open to listen. The walls we make are based on our experiences, our understanding, and our biases. We all have an opinion, and we also have the ability to listen. We don’t have to agree with others, yet we should respect them when they aren’t attacking. Fist pumping and shouting only makes noise. If we want change, we have to change together.

Oct 21, 202021:37

¿Más o menos?

The challenges of sharing culture for people of color, and resources in Spanish get real in the 5 mile area. 100% of my social media posts have not been welcome in an area I reside nearby. Some neighbors were positive, others were quite negative.

Oct 16, 202026:58

Indigenous peoples day

Today is a day of mixed feelings. Living between being an American of indigenous heritage, and wanting to honor my ancestors. For many this day is a representation of their ancestry. For others, they don’t feel a connection to their ancestry. Others it’s a reminder of their non binary identity is challenged by their heritage. So many complicated emotions and self discovery. How do you self identify? How does this shape your daily?

Oct 12, 202028:21

Arte in education

Local and cultural arts are often overlooked in formal arts programs. Through LTNX artes we’re introducing this into the public school arts programs.

Oct 07, 202026:43

The house on St Mary’s street

A short cuento me grandmother told me about the day her house on St Mary’s street was demolished to make way for US 281.

Oct 05, 202024:48

What would my name be?

If the Spanish didn’t colonize my indigenous family generations ago, what would that culture be today? What would my name be? How would the relationship with the U.S. be? What if?

Oct 01, 202016:56

Community shapes culture, that makes art reflecting community.

The community we live in drives the culture we live in locally and across the country. The art we see today is a reflection of the world we are apart of. No everything can be pretty and fluffy. Nombre... the uncomfortable art we see isn’t the problem, the problem is what inspires the art that a community feels is uncomfortable. When a community is uncomfortable by the art, there needs to be a question asked.

Sep 30, 202026:34

Just a few hours of the year.

For just a few hours of the year, gente in Spokane unite for Día De Los Muertos. We honor our ancestors, and celebrate their lives. The community comes together, gente y non gente, and we respectfully join as a family. This is the one evening we have to celebrate our heritage. We shouldn’t have to wait all year for one evening to celebrate our heritage. We’re gente everyday. We should be able to have a space we can stretch our cultura y celebrate our pride openly in the community were apart of.

Sep 28, 202022:29

We fall and we rise

Our inspiration comes from what we experience. Not all artists create for people to buy. Many create to purge, self heal, express stresses, and tell stories. A shirt cuento if a friend the fell, and admitted he needed help getting up.

Sep 23, 202024:33

Chchchanges

The town hall as block party was a hit! No participation from Spokane, and if we expect change we gotta make the change! Here’s a little cuento on a friend that experienced change.

Sep 22, 202035:05

You don’t go here!!!

After posting cultural information and an event specific to POC, I was denied sharing those posts I the community I live in. It’s like saying I don’t belong where I live, I not wanted in my neighborhood, and almost like there is no one that wants to know this.

Sep 18, 202018:49

Art Administrators of Color Network

RSVP: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAqdeyvrjIjGNZFcO2OMDHPFUsxl-9KfTMb

Join fellow AAC members for a Town Hall to guide you through the many committees and new project initiatives that AAC has worked on during 2020, as well as the goals for the rest of the year and beyond. Learn about the upcoming AAC Chapters pilot program and then unwind with us for our Virtual Block Party!

Sep 17, 202022:16