Arizona Illustrated

This week on Arizona Illustrated…an internationally recognized Mariachi program at Pueblo High; a retired sixth grade teacher’s gets an exhibition at MOCA Tucson; and a trip down Memory Lane at the Dunbar School. Mariachi Aztlán Pueblo Magnet High School is home to the internationally recognized Mariachi Aztlán. Director John Contreras leads this talented group of young musicians who balance academics and their passion for playing Mariachi. Robert Barber Robert Barber’s art is was hidden treasure in Tucson, or at least it was. When two MOCA curators opened the door to Barber’s garage studio in 2013, they found hundreds of Barber’s painting, sculptures and drawings—reflecting 75 years of work. After carefully restoring and selecting over 200 pieces, the show “Robert Barber Retrospective” was mounted at MOCA Tucson. The quantity and quality of Barber’s work is a rarity. His classical techniques aren t being taught much in art schools today. At age 100, the artist, World War II vet and a sixth grade TUSD teacher for 30 years is still painting. Random story part 3 School segregation is a difficult chapter in the nation's history, and while it left a painful wound in many lives, many African American children were able to persevere and thrive. Barbara Lewis shares her stories and recollections about attending classes in the historic Dunbar school building from 1942 to 1950.