8.23.08: Defenders of Earth

I'll be learning about energy healing on Saturday afternoon, but after we close shop on Saturday I will be heading to the Defenders of Earth Art show and Benefit.

We thought we should let all Montrochika fans know that Naomi Martinez--creator of all things Monstrochika and whose items can sometimes be found at Tianguis--has been working hard on this fundraiser for Connections for Abused women and their children. Naomi says, "Join us for an evening of good beats and urban art by various female artists coming together for a serious cause." Its a good opportunity to see what Naomi has been working on and check out the arts and crafts of some artist friends. Details below.

October review: Sor Juana, Open Studios & Proyecto Latina

top: Amanda and Maritza. bottom: Felicia, Irasema, Silvia, Diana.


We know its a little overdue, but we did want to report on some memorable October events. After all October is the month that marked our 2nd anniversary. And we have gotten this far through a lot of hard work but also support from family and--new and old--friends.

The second weekend in October was a busy one for us. We got started with Entre Letras, Palabras y Cantos, an event that Proyecto Latina was invited to collaborate on, it was part of the Sor Juana Festival at the National Museum of Mexican Art. A very exciting night, we had several local Latinas that came out to strut their literary and musical talent including Stephanie Gentry-Fernandez, Maritza Cervantes, and Belinda Cervantes. (You can currently see all three in Teatro Luna's Macho's production.

The feature that night was Felicia Luna Lemus who read from her second novel, Like Son. Which was also one of our recent bookclub picks. I was pleasantly surprised when Felicia dropped by to check out the store before walking over to the museum for the reading. How often do you get a one-on-one with a writer that allows you the opportunity to share thoughts and ask questions about their book?

The weekend was also filled with Pilsen Open Studio activities, and we were delighted to host an eclectic mix of art by Naomi Martinez and Jose Arceo. On Monday we capped things off with our monthly open mic Proyecto Latina and our first Macho feature, Paul Martinez Pompa--the chisme box was hot as ever.

A heartfelt thanks to everyone that joined us, we value and appreciate the support very much. Get your calendars ready because we have some year-end and new year activities scheduled.

Monstrochikas have arrived!

Three postcards to pick from, take some home, keep them around for when you need to write to a special friend or to frame and enjoy as art. On sale now@ Tianguis now.

To celebrate Naomi and her monstritos are scheduled to take Tianguis by storm--we will be hosting a special presentation of Naomi's artwork. Make sure to join us:

Friday, April 13th
7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Held @ Tianguis, 2003 S. Damen

Naomi Martinez was born in 1977 and is an all-natural Chicago grown Xicana artist. Her interest in art began in high school with her discovery of her local graffiti art scene and the Mexican social muralist movement of her father’s native land. She learned painting and pottery skills as an Apprentice Artist at Gallery 37 with the Marwen Foundation. She later enrolled at Columbia College Chicago for acting and photography but with no major in mind soon dropped out. After her college experience she became a road trip enthusiast and even had a brief stint as a poet and Rock en Espanol band singer. She revisited painting and aerosol art in 2000. More recently she has designed and hand sewn Monstrochika pouches and stuffed monstros while completing volume one of Monstrochika Comix. She has also collaborated with other local women graffiti artists on various murals around the Chicago. Naomi is inspired by both nature and metropolis, graffiti, comics, her childhood in the city and her pets. She is currently a legal secretary by day and Monstro Factory worker by night. Visit Naomi's myspace.

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