UA alumnus donates gallery to MECHa fund raiser

Brian D. Rothschild Arizona Daily Wildcat 1972 UA alumnus Jose Galvez, owner of Jose Galvez Photography and Gallery, recently donated his gallery space to Latino artists from Los Angeles with proceeds benefiting the Movimiento Estudantil Chicano de Aztlan student group.

This Zach Delarocha painting is a favorite of Alexandro Escamilla's, a sophomore majoring in Mexican American studies and political science. Like other members of the Movimiento Estudantil Chicano de Aztlan, Escamilla said he is thankful for the space donated by gallery owner Jos‚ Galvez.

After earning his degree in journalism at the University of Arizona in 1972, Galvez worked as a photographer and reporter for The Arizona Daily Star.

In 1980, he moved on to the Los Angeles Times, where he was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for a 1984 series of articles and photographs about Latinos in the Southwest.

In 1992, he moved back to Tucson to open his own art gallery.

This is the second year Galvez has offered gallery space to raise money for MEChA.

"This man is incredible. He has done so much for students and for MEChA," said Rudy Molina, a MEChA member and a sophomore majoring in Mexican American studies.

"He is doing this all out of his own pocket and I can't begin to say how much we appreciate that," Molina said.

Molina said he expects this year's profits to exceed last year's $2,000.

The prints were displayed at Jos‚ Galvez Photography & Gallery, 743 N. Fourth Ave., from March 19 until April 13.

"This is a good way to connect with the community, to let the community know that MEChA is there too," said Adriana Gallego, MEChA president and a studio art senior.

Half of the profit from selling the prints will go toward scholarships for Chicano students, Gallego said. The other half will be used in community outreach activities, such as high school mentor programs promoted by MEChA, she said.

"There isn't any other space (in Tucson) that shows their (Latino) work on a full time basis," Galvez said.

About 30 prints were donated to MEChA by Self-Help Graphics, a community organization in Los Angeles that helps young artists gain recognition, Escamilla said.

Each print is valued at $300 to $400, but they were sold at the gallery for $75 to $150, Galvez said.

He said 25 percent to 30 percent of the prints were sold at the gallery this year.

Leftover prints will be displayed at fundraising breakfasts,called CAFE RIFA, sponsored by MEChA and Tucson community members twice a month.

"Our (MEChA) focus is to integrate the community," Gallego said.