(upbeat music) - Hello, and welcome to "Horizon a show that takes a look at current issues through a Hispanic lens.

I'm your host, Catherine Anaya.

Xico Inc is one of the oldest ethnic arts organizations in the country, founded right here in Phoenix back in 1975.

50 years later, it remains a leader in promoting Latino and indigenous culture throughou and community engagement.

We'll talk to one of the co-founders of Xico and one of its longtime board me But first, here's a glimpse of what Xico does.

- Xico serves over 250 artists, and in addition, our community-based programs and collaborations reach over 50,000 people annually.

Xico's one of the only organizations in town, arts organizations in town that offer a safe space for artists of all types, emerging artists, well-seasoned artists.

- In teaching other artists, what I like the best is that if I inspire them, I'm inspired that much more.

- This is their first opportunit it's their first opportunity to experience some engagement with artists from across the US or across Mexico, really throughout the globe.

- Here to talk more about the enduring power of Xico is one of its co-founders, Carmen Guerrero, Executive Director of the Cultural Coalition, and one of Xico's Emeritus Board members, Jose Cardenas.

Welcome to both of you.

It's so wonderful to have you he - Pleasure to be here.

- Thank you.

- So Carmen, congratulations, 50 It's hard to believe that it's been in the community Tell me a little bit about what was happening in th community when you started this with your fabulous husband Zarco back in 1975.

- Well, it was the beginning of ethnic arts I think, we used to call.

The National Endowment for the A had another terminology, expansi So Black theater troupes started about the same time.

Child's play started at the same And Xicanindio started in 1975.

So we are part of that whole group of people who wanted to really have a voice in the ar and wanted to represent the arts and show that there's more art than what is in private institut - And did you ever envision that it would be so impactful all these years lat I mean, it's really grown.

- Never, I never thought I'd be alive now, you know?

And I never thought the organiza would be still here and still re So that's really, really special to know that.

- It is indeed.

Let's talk a little bit about how it's grown.

Jose, you've been a long time bo and very passionate about the organization.

Can you talk to me a little bit about how it's evolved over the and grown to what it is today?

- Sure, my connection is based in large part by my wife's connection with Xic We met Carmen and Zarco in 1979, shortly after arriving here.

And Virginia went to work first as a volunteer and then as program director and later as a member of the boa So over 30 years of commitment t And Xico has grown, the foundati by Carmen and Zarco was tremendo And it offers arts programs throughout the city, throughout the county.

It's moved from the original location in Mesa to a gallery in Chandler, and now it's in downtown Phoenix.

The number of people that it serves has grown tremendously thanks to all of the work and the artists who are involved.

And it still remains very much an artist-focused organization.

- Yes, as you intended, right, C back in the day in 1975 when you started this with Zarco, can you tell me a little bit about the cultural relevance that it maintains in the communi - Well it's one of the only organizations in the state and the whole country that still provides a place for Latino and Native American artists to showcase their art.

And art is so important.

Art is an expression of our huma And art connects us with our div So that's how come I think it's really important to have it still growing now.

- Absolutely.

Jose, tell me a little bit about the importance of Xico to the artists.

Not just the artists who are known for being seasoned, but also the emerging up-and-coming artists.

- Well, absolutely, we have many younger artists who participate in the workshops that we do.

But even down to elementary scho we have a mobile van that goes out and visits and gets these young people interested in the arts.

And we promote them and make sure that people know what the arts can mean to them and to their community and develop that talent.

- And Carmen, how important would you say that this is to cultural understanding in the community, building cultural awareness abou what these artists provide for a when we appreciate what they do.

- Well, art makes an indelible mark, especially in children.

So it's really important that we continue doing art education and going to schoo and having that contact with chi Especially now that most schools don't even have art programs.

But art is also community-buildi So when we come together and we have an event and the whole families come, this is really important because we are not really just s only this person from this party but everybody's involved, it's very democratic.

So art is really, really what keeps our community engaged and growing and vibrant, and also the expression of our h That's really important.

- It is very inclusive.

And speaking of community, you mentioned that you encourage to be a part of this from all ag Tell me a little bit, Jose, if y some of the programs that you provide for the community.

- So we have arts programs that, as I mentioned, the youth programs go out to the community.

A few years ago, we were fortunate to get funding for a mobile van that goes out and visits the different schools.

Starting with Carmen and Zarco, we've always done programs in sc In fact, at one point we were doing programs on drug use, teenage pregnancy, and so forth, presented by musicians, including Carmen and Zarco, and presented in a way that wasn't preaching, but was informing and educating.

And if I may just add one commen about the importance of art.

My late wife not only spent 30 years working for Xico, but was also a member of the Arizona Commission on the and chaired it for a number of y And it was her strong belief tha serve as a bridge betwee Arizona's diverse communities.

And we actually need that more t - We certainly do.

And I love the fact that Xico is to artists to be able to hone th because it is a studio as well, - Yeah, and we brought in master printmakers not only from California, but a we brought one of the most famou and prominent printmakers from Mexico City in to work with our artists.

The experienced artist benefited tremendously as well as the less experienced people.

- So this is a great way for the artists also to network with other artists of various le I mean, it's an education not just for the artists, but the community.

- Exactly.

- It elevates the purpose of the art.

It elevates the artist as a prof So when children are looking at us as artists, they're thinking, "Oh, I can be I'd love to learn an instrument.

I'd love to learn how to dance for cortical dance."

There's so much more to explore.

So it just opens the door.

- Well I wanna say congratulations because you and Zarco were honored last month at the annual Xico Arts and Dinner Gala with the Virginia E. Cardenas Arts Advocate Award.

Congratulations on that.

And this was very important to you and Zarco because you are co-founders of this incredible organization.

What did it mean to you in your - Oh, it's a realization of a dr It's like I still feel like I'm walking on the clouds because it's a beautiful award and it means so much.

It means so much to us too.

So thank you Xico for recognizin Thank you.

- Well this award is named after your beautiful wife, Virgi She passed away in 2012, and then this award was establis Can you tell me a little bit about that, Jose, and what it means to have Virginia's name on it?

- So at the dinner that followed after her passing, the board announced that they were gonna create an award in her honor.

And then this was created after And the first award was in 2014 to Benito Almanza, the president of the Bank of Ame longtime supporter of the organi What it means in particular, and by the way, this is our Arts Advocate award.

It's presented annually to individuals and organizations that have made an impact in the for the benefit of all Arizonans But this piece is of particular significance this year, this award that we made this year because Carmen and Zarco were two of Virginia's best friends.

- Oh, I love that.

- And she had worked for them for so long.

So it has great personal significance to me.

But also it's hard to imagine anybody else who's been as much of an arts advocate as Carmen and Zarco.

In fact, Virginia's own arts adv is something she learned from th from working with them for so ma So, very significant.

- And it comes full circle.

I just love that.

So many interpersonal ties.

- Yes, especially because it's the 50th year.

And we're honoring the founders.

Tell me a little bit about the statue itself.

- So the statue is the result, the creation of two of Virginia's favorite artists, Zarco of course and Joe Ray.

The image itself, the angel with the heart, is based on a painting that Joe it's called "Esperanza Hope."

And it was in connection with a that was affecting one of his family members.

So he did that.

And when we first talked about doing something like this, he decided that was the image to And then he worked with Zarco to create a 3D model of it.

And then that was delivered to the people who did the castin And we have this beautiful bronz very heavy bronze statue now that's presented annually.

And this'll be the 11th year that's been presented.

There was one year we didn't do it because of Covid.

But other than that, it's been c And it's a great tribute to Virg And I can't think of anything that would make her happier.

- Absolutely, it is just so special, Carmen, and you're here speaking for Zarco as well.

What does it mean to both of you to receive something with so much deep meaning to it, and then on top of it, Zarco had an involvement in crea - Well, like I said, it's very ethereal almost.

But we're also very happy because we're being recognized by a whole community of people that knew Virginia, that understand the importance o and support the arts.

Because that's one thing that Xico has done for all these years is always been able to bring people to support the arts.

And so we're very happy to be part of this family, and it's growing.

And also that the whole community is gonna be there.

So I'm very excited, very happy - So wonderful.

So you're both leaving this incredible legacy behind with Xico.

And of course, all of the things that you do in the community on a regular basis still to this day.

When people discover Xico, what would you like them to walk away feeling?

- Feeling like the arts is just another pillar of our community.

Just like we have doctors and lawyers and teachers and professors and all these oth who make our society work, the artists are there too.

We are part of that whole commun that make people feel good, make especially children, feel self-e and then also that bring this whole connection with our humanity.

- What about you, Jose?

- Well the theme for the dinner was Primavera, spring.

And we emphasize that we're not resting on our la We're looking forward to the next 50 years.

The signature piece and the one we used to promote t was a beautiful, beautiful, huge mass by Sarco called "Cincuenta Sol," 50th Sun We're on our way.

- Yes indeed.

Well you both have just done tremendous things when it comes to the arts in our community.

And I'm so blessed to have both of you here.

And Carmen, congratulations to you and Zarco because it's so well deserved, certainly long overdue.

And you continue to do amazing things in this community.

- Well we're really happy, and we hope that we can work mor enlarging the arts and the number of people that we and we can connect.

- Well, if anybody's going to do it's both of you and Zarco.

So thank you very much.

- Well, and you've been a big help over the years.

You participated in some of our and we're really grateful.

- Thank you, I appreciate that.

Thank you for joining me.

And th That's our show for "Horizonte" and Arizona PBS.

I'm Catherine Anaya.

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