Featured in the Third Edition of ARTe

Francisco Franklin
Francisco Franklin, just like his name, is an example of a bicultural and bilingual artist. Born in Mexico to parents from the United States, Franklin grew up in a world influenced by various cultures and experiences. He uses colorful and bold yet simple lines which reflect some of his philosophy about life. Franklin believes in a minimalist life with few objects and possessions which is often revealed in his paintings. And instead of aspiring to live in a big house with multiple rooms in the foothills, Franklin chose a simple adobe structure close to train tracks in downtown Tucson! Francisco Franklin profile

David Fitzsimmons
Most people in Southern Arizona are familiar with David Fitzimmons’ work since it is a daily staple in the region’s largest newspaper, The Arizona Daily Star. Fitzimmons is the editorial cartoonist and has garnered many awards and recognitions, including being named as a finalist a Pulitzer award. He has the uncanny ability to capture someone’s personality in a few strokes. But even though he entertains with sarcasm and humor, Fitzimmons’ personal life has been wrought with difficult and emotional challenges: He lost both of his parents to cancer and has battled the disease himself. David Fitzsimmons profile

White Swann
White Swann lives on the Hopi Nation near the Grand Canyon and she’s continuing a tradition that began thousands of years ago. White Swann is one of the most well-known potters who celebrate her heritage and culture in every pot she creates. White Swann uses the same techniques that were taught to her by her mother and grandmother, who were also famous for their work for many decades. In fact, she received some of her lessons from her grandmother who was going blind at the time. White Swann is inspired by nature and her majestic surroundings near the Grand Canyon but she acknowledges that it’s a struggle to pass on the pottery-making tradition to the next generation since it is heavily influenced by the modern world. White Swann (Dollie Navasie) profile

Alfred Quiroz
Art and politics are inseparable in the art of Alfred Quiroz who is known for his satirical portrayals of famous figures and events. Quiroz was born in Tucson and is deep-rooted in the Catholic religion but he turned to art as an alternative way to explore his inner feelings and emotions. Quiroz is an arts professor at the University of Arizona but he is also a veteran of the Vietnam War. For three decades he dealt with the consequences of the war such as PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) but he did not acknowledge this part of his life until recent years. Now his paintings are filled with messages which oppose wars worldwide. Alfred Quiroz profile

Howe Gelb
You may have not heard of Howe Gelb in this country but in Europe, this singer-songwriter-guitarist-pianist Howe Gelb is one of the most sought-after performers who stays busy with dozens of performances per year. Gelb is one of the founders of the famous rock band, Giant Sand, which is based in Tucson. Gelb has been called one of the most resilient and consistently inventive American artists of the last two decades. Over the course of the last fifteen years Gelb has served as the front man for Giant Sand and has also been a member of another band known as OP8, and he has produced many acclaimed albums. In addition to being a performer and a label owner, Gelb also spends much of his time with his Danish wife and three children. Howe Gelb profile and performances.