CauseConnect organized and managed a national tour of “Blazing Chicano Guitars,” an exhibition of one-of-a-kind playable guitars embellished with artwork by artists in Cheech Marin’s renowned Chicano art collection. Nine guitars and one ukulele from the inaugural edition represent the union of visual art to music — the heart of the Chicano lifestyle. All instruments are adorned with original artwork by an artist selected by Cheech and whose works are represented in his world-famous Chicano art collection. The guitars are also available for sale through Easy Partners LLC, a NYC-based licensing, merchandise and rights management company affiliated with Cheech Marin. Each guitar comes with a case and is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity signed by Cheech Marin and the artist.
EXHIBITION HISTORY
Art Museum of South Texas, Corpus Christi (September 15, 2019–January 26, 2020): Jari “Werc” Alvarez, Carlos Donjuan, Joe Peña, Alex Rubio, and Ricardo Ruiz.
Riverside Art Museum, California (September 15, 2019–January 26, 2020): “Lester William Polsfuss” by Chaz Bojorquez, “Germtar” by Jaime “Germs” Zacarias, and “Sombrero Hormigas” by John Valadez
The Grammy Museum, Los Angeles, California (April 17, 2018–August 20, 2019): “De Una Nalga a La Otra / From One Buttcheek to the Next” guitar by Jari “Werc” Alvarez; “MorphEa” guitar by Jasmine Marin; “Cry of Soul” ukelele by Adrian Fernandez, “Vortex 8” by Alex Rubio, “Madre” by Carlos Donjuan; “A Lovesong for the Food of My Heritage” by Joe Peña; “Lester William Polsfuss” by Chaz Bojorquez; “Germtar” by Jaime “Germs” Zacarias; “Sombrero Hormigas” by John Valadez
Pauly Friedman Gallery at Misericordia University, Dallas, Pennsylvania (June 28–August 9, 2019): Guitars were displayed as part of the exhibition “Hope and Memory:” “Vortex 8” by Alex Rubio, “Madre” by Carlos Donjuan, and “A Lovesong for the Food of My Heritage” by Joe Peña.
BIG Galleria Expo at Denver Mart, Colorado (April 2015): Four guitars on view: “Lester William Polsfuss” by Chaz Bojorquez; “Germtar” by Jaime “Germs” Zacarias;“From One Buttcheek To The Next” by Jari “Werc” Alvarez; “Sombrero Hormigas” by John Valadez.
LA Art Show, Los Angeles, California (January 2014): Six guitars were displayed to help benefit the Sister Cities of Los Angeles and Bordeaux in celebration of their program, “Bordeaux-Los Angeles: A 50-Year Partnership.” Guitars on display were “Lester William Polsfuss” by Chaz Bojorquez, “Germtar” by Jaime “Germs” Zacarias, “De una Nalga A La Otra/From One Buttcheek To The Next” by Jari “Werc” Alvarez, “La Cholita” by Gaspar Enriquez, “Sombrero Hormigas” by John Valadez, and “La Cabroncita” by Ricardo Ruiz.