Preliminary Entrance Concept Drawing for Cactus Drive-In Project by John Kelly

For every idea a business of any kind has, they need to “sell” their project or product to investors or the customers or the company’s boss. To do this they need a written business plan but equally important they need to SHOW what they envision. To do this the skills of a Conceptual Artist is needed.

Architects often use scale models of their buildings they want to create. Toy companies need prototypes of their toys to show what the finished product will look like after production. Theme parks, playgrounds, visitor centers, traveling exhibits, history museums, science museums, water parks, aquariums, all use sketches done by a Conceptual Artist to convey their visions. The sketches they generate are the fastest way to convey the goals of the project and to build excitement about it.

As many of you know by now, I personally have undertaken a project called the Cactus Drive-In. It is a new concept idea using the giant screen from the closed De Anza Drive-in and relocated to another location in the future here in Tucson. My group’s vision for this project is to have a walk-in, bike-in, drive in created in a style reminiscent of the 1950’s when the drive-ins were the most popular.

Conceptual layout for Cactus Drive-In Project By John Kelly

This Cactus Drive-In will be much more than just as drive-in but will become a community entertainment center.  To convey our ideas and interest others, a local artist with the needed skills volunteered to help us.  He and his wife love the drive-ins and believe like I, that it is a unique experience to enjoy and should be available for future Tucsonans. That artist’s name is John Kelly.He has created all the projects stated in the second paragraph above and then some.

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Logo of Yoeme Artists' Association

The art of the Pascua Yaqui, who call themselves Yoeme, show us once again the amazing creative talent we have in Tucson. Yoeme art strongly reflects their tribal heritage and culture dating back centuries. Their beliefs have been influenced since the early 1500s and successfully blend the religion taught by early Jesuit priests and their own unique beliefs that include their beloved deer dancer.

Viewing the unique art below you will see the prominent influence of the deer dancer in their logo and tribal symbols. The deer dancer, a central figure in the spiritual lives of the Pascua Yaqui tribe, becomes most notable during the Easter season when it is seen participating in ceremonies that depict holy events during this period. The ancient ceremony involves highly trained men dancing wearing a headdress depicting a deer’s head and whose steps imitate movement of a deer. Pascua is Spanish for Easter.

You will also notice in Yoeme art, flowers play a very important significance in their lives and ceremony. It is from the ancient belief that their deer dancer is from a flower-filled spiritual world of natural beauty. The symbolic flowers, depicted in their art and ceremonies, come from the belief that Christ’s grace grew from the blood from Jesus’ wounds during the crucifixion. They are believed to be very powerful weapons against evil and have become a prevalent symbol in their embroidered floral designs in traditional Yaqui clothing.

Many of the photos below were taken by myself at a recent event at the Cultural Center. As you can see, I am not a professional photographer and the art looks much better in person.

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Untitled Painting by Rene Alvarez
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Hard Carved Mask by Louis David Valenzuela
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Searching by Marcelino Flores
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Wichilakas by Rene Alvarez
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Deer Head Man by Jose Gonzales
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Semalulu Kuts by Rene Alvarez
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Bird Dancer by Jose Gonzales
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Deer Sunset by Marcelino Flores
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Hand Carved Pascola Mask by Louis David Valenzuela
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TukaAnia VIII by Marcelino Flores
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Deer Dancer by Jose Gonzales
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Saquaro Mosaic by Marcelino Flores
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Multiple Wood Carvings by Louis David Valenzuela
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MaalaHuupa (MotherTree) by Marcelino Flores
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Paper Mache Deer Head by Jose Gonzales
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Hand Made Flowers in Valenzuela Carving
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Yoeme Children Coloring Flowers
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Wall of Hand Made Flowers by Yoeme Youth Group
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Flower Tree by Yoeme Youth Group
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Hand Embroidered Dress by Rio Yaqui Women
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Embroidered Flowers by Rio Yaqui Women
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Hand Embroidered Flowers by Rio Yaqui Women
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Hand Embroidered Flowers by Rio Yaqui Women

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The TALES OF ALICE IN WONDERLAND will be performed this Saturday at the historic Valley of the Moon and it’s FREE. This is a great opportunity for the whole family to enjoy this famous children’s fantasyland together and see a very unique performance.

Follow Alice and the White Rabbit into Wonderland on a fantastic journey to meet the Cheshire Cat and the Caterpillar. The production is based upon the classic story by Lewis Carroll. Mr. Carroll published his novel Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland in 1865 and this play is an interpretation of that original story.

The free performance will be at 7:00 PM this Saturday June 5 at the Valley of the Moon, 2544 East Allen Road. Call 520-323-1331,<http://www.tucsonvalleyofthemoon.com >

or visit http://www.facebook.com/l/ef8e1;www.tucsonvalleyofthemoon.org

The park has undergone significant renovations in the last year, including the moving of the remaining Magic Carpet Golf statues, a new lawn, and historic preservation work. Go see what the Valley of the Moon is doing now.