Cheech Marin’s Blazing Chicano Guitars

CauseConnect has organized and is managing 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.

ON EXHIBIT: From September 15, 2019 to January 26, 2020, the Art Museum of South Texas is exhibiting the five guitars by artists from Texas: Jari “Werc” Alvarez, Carlos Donjuan, Joe Peña, Alex Rubio, and Ricardo Ruiz. During 2018-2019, the Grammy Museum at L.A. Live in Downtown Los Angeles alternated the display of six instruments: “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, and “A Lovesong for the Food of My Heritage” by Joe Peña. During June 28 through August 9, 2019, three guitars were displayed at the Pauly Friedman Gallery of Misericordia University in Dallas, Pennsylvania 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. Starting Fall 2019, three guitars will be on display at Riverside Art Museum: “Lester William Polsfuss” by Chaz Bojorquez, “Germtar” by Jaime “Germs” Zacarias, and “Sombrero Hormigas” by John Valadez (these three were formerly on view at the Grammy Museum from April 17, 2018 to May 15, 2019).

PREVIOUS SHOWINGS: Four of the guitars were displayed in Colorado at the Big Galleria Expo at the Denver Mart: “Lester William Polsfuss” by Chaz Bojorquez, “Germtar” by Jaime “Germs” Zacarias, “From One Buttcheek To The Next” by Jari “Werc” Alvarez, and “Sombrero Hormigas” by John Valadez. Six guitars premiered at the L.A Art Show to help benefit the Sister Cities of Los Angeles and Bordeaux in celebration of their program, “Bordeaux-Los Angeles: A 50-Year Partnership.” The program was established in 1956, and creates relationships based on cultural, educational and trade exchanges, creating lifelong friendships that provide prosperity and peace through person-to-person “citizen diplomacy.” 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).