Archive for category: Latino Art

Image courtesy of kcsourcelink.com

AmigoMan | Strong Ave. Studios
Anthony “AO” Oropeza

Strong Ave. Studios is a storytelling-driven publishing, art and design studio responsible for creating one of the most original bilingual Latino comic book super heros ever made – Amigoman! The name of the studio originated from an actual street in the neighborhood/district where the founder, Anthony “AO” Oropeza, grew up, the district of Argentine located in Kansas City, Kansas. Oropeza says, “I started the Amigoman comic book while living at home with my mom in KCK, working a full-time job and going to Rockhurst College on a part-time basis. I came up with the idea for the character on the way home from school after visiting Clint’s Comic Shop in KCMO. After grabbing my Batman and Spidey books, something hit me from the class I had just attended. I noticed that I didn’t see any Latin main characters on the comic book shelf. So on the 15 minute ride home, I said to myself, ‘What if I came up with my own character?’ So, in that 15 minute time span, I came up with the name, ‘Amigoman,’ and a bit of his story.” Follow Amigo man on Facebook!

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Top; Breach by Hector Casanova. Bottom; The Sun and the Moon Dream of Each Other by José Faus

José Faus | Hector Casanova
MAPIT, Mural Arts Program Inspiring Transformation
9th and Van Brunt in Kansas City, Mo.

José Faus and Hector Casanova are to prolific artists in Kansas City. They have created so much in their short time on earth. Visit 9th and Van Brunt to see their work combined together in the MAPIT public artworks commissioned murals. Follow José Faus and Hector Casanova online for their many and varied art practice.

Looking to keep your mind in the creative loop? Be sure to subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get up-to-date information on upcoming artistic events in the Kansas City area.

Left; A new work commissioned by Hallmark. Right; works on wood. All images courtesy of the artist Chico Sierra.

Chico Sierra

Chico Sierra began crossing borders early. Crossing back and forth between Mexico and the United States, and is Mexican-American. Chico learned that borders can be fixed and severe, but also blurry or even non-existent. Chico’s cultural hybridity has played out throughout his life as he has spent time living with people of different classes and cultures in the United States, Mexico, Canada, Germany and the Philippines. The cultures that Chico experienced in these countries, as well as the theme of blurring borders can be found in Chico’s art, poetry and music which is heavily influenced by graffiti, pop art, Mexican folk art and political comics.

We at ArtsKC love this drawing of Selena. It’s a collaborative piece Chico Sierra created with another KC Artist, Luara Piñón at an event Chico hosts called “Drink and Draw” at the Mini Bar. Follow him on social media to attend the next one!

Chico Sierra Grew up in El Paso, Texas. He lives and works in Kansas City, MO. and is an ArtsKC Featured artist.

Looking to keep your mind in the creative loop? Be sure to subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get up-to-date information on upcoming artistic events in the Kansas City area.