TJ artists win outstanding achievement.
Photo by Rebecca Holt
The Chicano Humanities and Arts Council Gallery’s (CHAC) purpose is to promote and preserve the Chicano/Latino culture through the expression of art. Since it was founded in 1978, the gallery has worked with Denver Public Schools to provide gallery space to display students’ cultural artwork.
The CHAC Gallery hosts an annual “El Dia De Los Muertos” A Celebration of Life art show that displays TJ’s art along with pieces from North High School and other DPS schools. The show opened on Friday, October 23 with a Mexican celebration that featured Aztec dancing, face painting, silent auction, and artwork by local artists.
Under the direction of TJ’s gifted ceramics teacher, Catherine Salazar, 28 TJ ceramics students are displaying their clay wall pieces, skulls, and pots at the El Dia De Los Muertos art show. The students who participated in the art show are: Pablo Sandoval, Bianca Ramirez, Silvia Sanchez, Elizabeth Cozad, Katie Green, Ty Snow, Gabe De Silva, Bryce Hackbarth, Matty Laurita, Caleb Marshton, Jorge Cortez, Jamie Gray, Daniel Loban, Dakota Lynn Tremmel, Katie Sharp, Kayla Kuykendoll, Anya Mohammed, Leo Bird, Sam Rahwa, Edgar Amaya, Jesse Moya, Katie Boyer, Jennelle Archuleta, Chris Moore, Peter Taylor, Shelby Randall, Alton Earl, and Brittany Johnson.
All of the students who participated helped to earn the title of “Outstanding Achievement for the Day of the Dead.” TJ’s art blew the competition away with their colorful and creative ceramic wall pieces and pots. TJ has displayed their art in the El Dia De Los Muertos show for the past ten years, and last year TJ was recognized with the “Best in Show for the Day of the Dead” title.
“Displaying the students’ art at El Dia De Los Muertos is really good because it gives people in the community an idea of what the TJ Art Department is all about,” said Salazar.
Not only is the art displayed, it is also for sale and the profits benefit the gallery and the student. Some of the proceeds go to the gallery, but most is kept by the student artist. The art is bought by community members, students, and family members of the students.
“My grandma already bought my piece from the display for $30,” said Chris Moore enthusiastically. Moore is in ceramics 2 advanced and has been in ceramics during all of his four years attending TJ.
The gallery is more than a celebration of life; it is a celebration of the outstanding achievement of TJ art students. “Having your art displayed in an art gallery is most definitely cool. It gives me a sense of accomplishment,” adds Moore.
“El Dia De Los Muertos” A Celebration of Life is open until November 14 and has free admission. It is located at 774 Sante Fe Drive. For more information visit www.chacweb.org.
