Interview with Lead Muralist Enrico "Caso" Salinas

In the lead up to the "Consciousness" mural blessing later this month (February 27), I caught up with Lead Muralist Enrico "Caso" Salinas to learn more about the man behind the mural. Rico has been involved with San Anto Cultural Arts since 2007 when he started helping out with the Brighter Days mural. Since then, he has gained experience and risen through the ranks of the crew system on the Trinity Street and La Musica de San Anto murals to become a lead muralist.

Enrico "Caso" Salinas

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What is your previous mural experience?
My previous experience consisted only of idolizing murals I would come across on television, in magazines, and in books.


What is your previous arte experience?
I started to trace in the fourth grade, which is when my pride developed and I started to do it myself. I used to custom paint and build choppers for a motorcyle company. Also photography and tattoos.


Foto shows:
"A Walk in the Westside" at Citi Bank (with El Placazo students), Summer 2008
"Armon Art" at Bluestar, September 2008
"Presente" at Centro Cultural Atzlan, September 2008
Dia de Los Muertos Show at Centro Cultural Atzlan, November 2008
"Mariachi Exhibit" at Centro Cultural Atzlan, December 2008
"Reina Del Cielo" at Centro Cultural Atzlan, December 2008
"Soy Illegal, no Criminal" at Centro Cultural Atzlan, February 2009
"210 in Focus" at Guadalupe Street Coffee (with El Placazo students), Summer 2009
"Estilo San Anto" at Five Seven Delle Project Space, Boston, Massachusetts, 2009
"Amigos" in downtown library, August 2009


What was the inspiration behind your "Consciousness" mural?
Life. Death. My history. My path. That's really the inspiration. The things I have seen. The things I've been fortunate to encounter. The people I've been able to help, as well as the people I've received help from. The situations... the conditions and environment that we live in.


How did you feel when SACA asked you to be a Lead Muralist?
My initial reaction was intimidation, fear overcame my entire body and my mind. Kinda panicked. I immediately understood how important it was to the barrio. I knew the quality of murals SACA had produced and didn't think I could produce anything near that level.


What do you hope people will take away from looking at your mural?
Consciousness!


What are some future goals you have for your art?
Two years ago I decided I wanted to win the Nobel Peace Prize for photography, so now I'm hunting for the perfect image.


Where did you grow up?
In the Weso of San Anto, and I had a brief stint in the Southside of Houston (H-Town, Screwston).


Where did you go to school?
I graduated from Holmes and attended the University Technical Institute in Houston, but the most important degree I received was from the University of the Hard Knocks.


Tell me about your family.
I have a ten year old daughter who is the one I breathe for. She became an art collector at nine years old, sold photography at eight years old, and writes, conducts interviews, and takes photos for El Placazo, as well as marches for MLK, Cesar Chavez, and International Woman's Day. My parents have been together for 33 years, and I have three brothers, two nephews, and one niece. I have familia scattered throughout the Weso and East LA and Las Vegas.


Que mas?
Knowledge is power, ignorance is Death! Question Everything!

Look for more about Rico in the next issue of El Placazo, scheduled to drop at the end of this month. Join Rico and San Anto Cultural Arts as we celebrate the dedication of his mural on February 27, 2010 from 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. in Escobar (more information at http://consciousnessmural.eventbrite.com/). Prepare to gain Mas Consciousness!

Coming on February 27: "Consicousness" Mural Blessing!

Check out the event's website at http://consciousnessmural.eventbrite.com. Can't wait to see you then!

This Friday! Raza Poetry and Open Mic Night featuring Desahogate #2: Amor y Pazion

Friday, January 22

6:30-9:00 p.m.

Guadalupe Street Coffee, 1320 Guadalupe Street

Join San Anto and Xicana Xicano Education Project (XXEP) in celebrating the release of Desahogate #2: Amor y Pazion (cover art by SACA's CMP Coordinator Ruth Buentello), a San Antonio barrio-based literary anthology with work from over 30 local writers and artists. This event at Guadalupe Street Coffee will mark the first-time release of the publication. After the release XXEP and San Anto will host an open mic event with a special reading featuring Desahogate contributors.

SACA is very excited to be a part of this empowering and fun event. Hope to see you on Viernes!

San Anto included in OCA's ArtBeat TV show!

San Anto is pleased to announce that we have been included in the Office of Cultural Affairs' ArtBeat TV program, a program hosted by OCA's Sebastian Guajardo that highlights San Antonio's vibrant local arte scene. San Anto was included in a long segment about the Community Mural/Public Art Program! Sebastian interviewed Heather in the office, and then went out to SACA's 38th mural, "Consciousness" at Escobar Park, with Ruth (CMP Coordinator) and Rico Salinas (Lead Muralist). It's exciting to continue to get that kind of exposure in the wider community and have the opportunity to show off the exciting things we're doing around here.

The program comes on Public Access TV, but you can also check it out on OCA's website. San Anto's segment is about midway through, and you can either click to advance or watch it from the beginning. Check it out!

A note from our Executive Director...

¡Feliz Año Nuevo de San Anto Cultural Arts!

SACA staff has hit the ground running as the new year has arrived. Last year saw tremendous changes in the life of the organization, and I want to thank each of you for supporting us with encouragement, time, inspiration, and love. We never would have weathered the loss of Manny without you; your belief in San Anto Cultural Arts helped us survive after his passing. Even though it's been a year, we miss him every day and we keep his mission and vision in our daily work.

The hardest part of the transition may be over, but 2010 is going to prove to be a HUGE year for San Anto Cultural Arts, and we need your continued support as much as ever as we strive to meet the increased demand for our programs and services. here are a few highlights to watch out for as we look toward 2010...

· Raza Poetry and Open Mic Night featuring Desahogate #2: Amor y Pazion at Guadalupe Street Coffee from 6:30-9:00 p.m. on Friday, January 22

· Blessing of the “Consciousness” Handball Mural Blessing (Lead Muralist: Rico Salinas) on Saturday, February 27

· Kick off of the “Transformation” Haven for Hope Mural (Lead Muralist: Gabriel Garcia) in the Spring

· El Placazo Foto Workshop in June and the Exhibit July 10 with Mari Hernandez as Lead Photographer

· The 13^th Annual Huevos Rancheros Gala and Silent Art Auction on Saturday, October 2 at the Plaza Guadalupe

· Dia de Los Muertos Barrio Procession on November 2 in collaboration with Inner City Development, the P.E.A.C.E. Initiative, and the San Jacinto Senior Homes

· And oh yeah, our own building!!! More details to come…

We hope to see you at as many San Anto events as possible, and know that you're always welcome to pop by our office and check in. On behalf of the Board and Staff of San Anto Cultural Arts, have a happy new year, thank you for all you've done, and we hope to see you soon!

Heather Eichling
Executive Director
San Anto Cultural Arts

SACA highlighted in "On the Town eZine"!

When "On the Town eZine" editor Gerry Lair contacted San Anto about highlighting our Community Mural/Public Art program in his online magazine that promotes visual, theatrical, and culinary arts in San Antonio, we jumped at the chance. Check out this exciting article with four colorful pictures at www.onthetownezine.com and click on the January/February 2010 issue. It's under the "More Visual Arts" section. Share it with your friends!

Happy New Year from San Anto Cultural Arts!

We are excited about all the promise 2010 holds for our organization, and we hope that you can be part of it!

We are so proud of La Chicana Collectiva!

San Anto Cultural Arts would like to congratulate La Chicana Collectiva on their great art opening on December 19. The Collective is composed of two San Anto staff, Ruth Buentello y Cristina Ordonez, and three other loyal San Anto supporters, Mari Hernandez, Sarah Castillo, and Kristin Gamez. The Collective explored the theme of the Quinceanera in Latino cultura, and what it means to women around the age of 30 who missed it the first time around. They used multiple different media-- drawing, painting, video, fotography, and soundscape-- to create a body of work that both challenged traditional perceptions of that rite of passage and celebrated the women they have become.

Congratulations, Ruth, Cristina, Mari, Sarah, and Kristin!

We can't wait to see what happens next!

Viva La Chicana Collectiva!

To learn more about the exhibit, check out the Current's great article by Natalia Ciolko, and visit Mari Hernandez's blog.