Public & Applied Humanities (PAH) 200 Introduction to Applied Humanities “El Pueblo Urban Humanities Studio” S2023: students deployed urban humanities methods to co-create photo-essays narrating the past, present and future of El Pueblo.
This pilot course focused instruction about the public and applied humanities methodologies and signature case studies using the framework of an experiential urban humanities field studio. With a core community partner (“client”), the Sunnyside Foundation, whose mission centers on service to Tucson’s Southside and with support from a campus arts partner, the Center for Creative Photography, the Experiential Learning Design Accelerator Program, and excitingly, an artist-in-residence sponsored by the HSI—Initiatives Seed Grant Program, Dr. Leigh-Anna Hidalgo, students applied a suite of urban humanities methods to produce photo-based projects about the El Pueblo Center, a site established within the historical context of the Chicano movement of Tucson in the 1960s and 70s, that serves as a hub to this day for social and metropolitan services and cultural empowerment in a predominantly Latinx Southside community.
Beginning with photography modules led by the CCP team (inspired by the CCP’s upcoming exhibition on Linda McCartney and her teacher —Hazel Larsen Archer’s groundbreaking approach to photo education), students will begin a semester-long investigation of El Pueblo through examining case studies, going on site visits, conducting class interviews and designing photo-shoots with community storytellers, culminating in final projects that will be featured in public-facing events open to Southside and campus communities, a double-exhibition to be held at El Pueblo and the CCP.
Selected “mini digital exhibitions” produced by student teams from PAH 200 Spring 2023: “The El Pueblo Urban Humanities Studio.” Guided by stories community members shared, and the philosophies of artists they studied, students created images about themes that intrigued and inspired them, from intergenerational celebrations held at the patio to traces of a lifetime of public service at the Congressman’s office, from pride in bilingual culture at the Frank de La Cruz - El Pueblo Library, to the dynamic flows of public transit through the Laos Transit Center.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
We would like to acknowledge funding for this project from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA); the Marshall Foundation; the UArizona Experiential Learning Design Accelerator; UArizona Hispanic Serving Institute (HSI) Faculty Seed Grant, which supported sessions with Latinx digital humanist scholar and course artist-in-resident, Dr. Leigh-Anna Hidalgo; Arts|Humanities|Resilience Grant from UArizona College of Fine Arts (CFA) Research, Innovation & Impact (RII) and the Arizona Institute for Resilience (AIR), which is providing support for our newly inducted community documentarians and artists-in-residence, Luis Gonzalez and Jessica Wolff. We want to thank community and teaching partners, collaborators and storytellers from Sunnyside Foundation; the Office of Congressman Raúl Grijalva; Nuestras Raíces Pima County Public Library (PCPL) and Frank de la Cruz-El Pueblo Public Library; Raúl Council Member Lane Santa Cruz and Ward 1; Council Member Richard Fimbres and Ward 5; Supervisor Adelita S. Grijalva - Pima County Board of Supervisors, District 5; City of Tucson Parks and Recreation, UArizona, especially the College of Humanities (COH) and the Department of Public and Applied Humanities (PAH), College of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture (CAPLA), Center for Creative Photography (CCP), UArizona Libraries Special Collections. None of this would be possible without members of our communities who participated in our Community Reinvestment Days, site visits, storytelling panels, community photo-shoots, workshops, pin-ups and reviews, who took the time to help us learn and share the story of El Pueblo.
Maelyca Drazkowski, Neylan Jeffreyes, Tyler Green, Lauren Fields
The Hidden Side of Tucson’s El Pueblo Center: This digital exhibiton is centered around the El Pueblo Center as a whole. We hope to show how time changes and influences not only the physical buildings and environment, but the community and the culture as well. El Pueblo is rich and full of life, and we hoped to be able to demonstrate that to someone who has never seen the Center before, through artistic imagery and descriptions. We will focus on Congressman Raύl Grijalva, and the time he spent with El Pueblo from its inception, all the way to now, as well as the buildings, the architecture and the infrastructure. We hope to show the physical differences in design, colors, and liveliness. Additionally, we hoped to communicate future innovations as well as the currently present culture and how this is visibly manifested. It is important within our project that we demonstrate the importance of the center and the history that made it possible. We will pull text from literature of the Chicano movement literature as well as images from the establishment of the center as well. Our project is a story of time, change, positivity, belonging and activism.
Library Traditions | Lauren Fields | 2023 | Digital
The El Pueblo community's enduring traditions are depicted in this image, which narrates a compelling story. Upon scrutinizing the photograph, one may notice that all the books in it are written in Spanish, a testament to the community's deep-rooted cultural heritage. However, the fifth book from the left appears to be out of place, implying that someone may have moved
it. During our tour, Ms. Anna Sanchez, a retired librarian with many years of service informed me that such occurrences are commonplace in the Spanish section of the Frank de la Cruz- El Pueblo library. She further explained that the Spanish-speaking community harbored a long-standing fear of damaging or losing books, so they return them to their original positions if they cannot finish reading them. Ms. Anna Sanchez’s revelation is indicative of how the El Pueblo community has remained true to this tradition over the years.
Future Congressman | Lauren Fields | 2023 | Digital
During our tour of Congressman Raύl Grijalva’s office, a particular frame caught my attention as it aligned perfectly with our project's overarching theme. I sought to capture images that not only accurately depicted the El Pueblo community but also reflected the perspectives of its diverse inhabitants. This photograph resonated with me because the word "Future" stood out prominently in its context. The photo, taken on March 28, 1974, featured Congressman Grijalva and depicted his efforts to change the election method for school board members from a districtwide system to a ward-type system. The image not only represented Grijalva's future as a congressman but also symbolized the future of the El Pueblo Center and surrounding community. The photograph composition and accompanying description helped tie together our project's overall theme.
Sage | Tyler Green | 2023 | Digital
This photo was taken within Congressman Grijalva’s Office, and showcases something of particular importance to him. We were told that sage such as this helped him and his staff through tough times, and helped them all keep a constant spiritual support and general sense of hope in the air. While in his office, and hearing about the significance of the sage, I remembered what we learned from Kevin Lynch, again, about nodes in urban design. While something small scale such as an individual office might not strictly fall within the wider context of urban design, many of the same principles apply. In this case, the sage in his office very much acted as a node for the people in his office as well as himself. Offering a point around which to gather and let the troubles of the day wash away. As very similar to the concept of a node, it acts as the glue holding together the office space. In my photoshop edit, I wanted to show how this sage emanates much more than just a particular scent, but also defines and shapes the space within which it resides. In this case, Congressman Grijalva’s Office is reshaped in a profoundly spiritual way through the use of this sage, and that reverberates back to moments when the office and Grijalva were going through tough times, as well as promises toward the future during which this sage will continue to serve as a reminder of a consistent calming spiritual aura.
a corridor of hope | Tyler Green | March 23 2023 | Digital
This photo was originally of an empty hall near the main plaza. While walking through this hallway, I got a distinct sense of melancholy and something resembling nostalgia. After hearing the thoughts of the community members, I realized that the space itself gave off an inherently saddening effect, almost in a liminal sense. One gets the impression of a distant past vibrancy hinted at and echoing through the space. I was inspired particularly by the work of Kevin Lynch’s The Image of The City, in that this space is very much a transitive connection, and one that has been left off to the side as a result of the closing off of the area. My attempt with this edited final version was to show hints of how the spatial organization of the area could be completely different, and that it isn't written in stone. The hints of brightness and polka dots on the walls show little windows into a more lively space that could be created. The green door at the end of the hallway could thus be interpreted as a goal to be strived for, an ideal version of the area that is filled with vibrancy even more than the hints of which are already present. It gives a contrasting sense of both the past and present being within spaces all at once. Most aren’t actively looking for them, but people such as those who are leading El Pueblo do, and they are doing everything they can to bring out these hidden and reflected glimmers of hope and vibrancy. All it takes is imagination, and hope. Both of which the leadership of El Pueblo have a lot of. a corridor of hope.
Mirror Pillar | Tyler Green | 2023 | Digital
El Pueblo is more than the sum of its image in the moment. Reflections of its hope for the future can be found anywhere, in every brick and every pillar. I was inspired by the artist and scholar Annette Kim’s Sidewalk City, a spatial study of a sidewalk in Vietnam that we learned about earlier in the class, and I wanted to create something in a somewhat artistic manner to reflect this type of study. My interest in this project has mostly been around the spatial development of El Pueblo both in terms of its current state as well as its relations to other times and ideas. This photo was taken during our second site visit and was of one of the pillars in the square area reflected into a pool of water. Originally I thought this was a great opportunity to show the idea of spatial relationships reflected in the spatial construction of a place, and thus the connection through time between past and present. I expanded on this in my photoshop final edit, which added some highlighting to the pillar, and I also added the words “hope” and “community,” as well as a small scene of El Pueblo and the central plaza out of the bricks. This is to show that there is possibility for a truly lively and revitalized El Pueblo around every corner, and that the traces of the love that has and will go into El Pueblo are in every brick, every pillar, every building.
Community Center Memories | Neylan Jeffreyes | 2023 | Digital
As we were wrapping up our tour of Congressman Grijalva’s Office, Ms. Becerra found a couple more pictures and I admired the brilliance of the lighting and space captured. After looking at this picture, one could say it looks like the perspective of another child watching their friend try to hit the piñata. Seeing the kid standing blindfolded gives me a sense of trust and warm comfort for the people who visited El Pueblo. Similar to many other spaces in the El Pueblo Center, the courtyard is another important spot where many gathered. I would say the courtyard is a staple of the community of El Pueblo. Many have gathered here to not only celebrate their culture, but also beautify the space with traditional decorations. El Pueblo Center really gave parents and families the opportunities to give their children a place away from home to have fun. It is fortunate that these pictures resurfaced so that we could circulate the history of this community and hopefully get others to visit and see what the center is truly about.
Multi-Purpose Leadership | Neylan Jeffryes | 2023 | Digital
As with most of my photographs, this was taken in Congressman Raύl
Grijalva’s office. I noticed it immediately as we were in the same room on
the day of our first site visit. It was captured decades ago in the same
multi-purpose room that is still in use today. Before Representative
Grijalva was in Congress, he spent a lot of time at El Pueblo as the
Director. With the help of the community, the liveliness and culture of the
center spread and more people kept visiting. As the popularity of the El
Pueblo Center started to rise, they wanted to start more programs.
Congressman Grijalva played a big part in these ideas, leading with those
around him. Although many important and monumental meetings were
held in this “multi-purpose room,” so many other events took place. Many
residents of the neighborhood would celebrate their families’ birthdays,
weddings, and other social events in this very room captured in the
image. There is an important connection between El Pueblo and the
Congressman as he is a man serving his community.
El Pueblo Youth | Neylan Jeffryes | 2023 | Digital
This photo was taken in the office of Congressman Raύl Grijalva with the
gracious help of Cassandra Becerra, Director of Public Engagement, Rep. Raúl M.
Grijalva. My goal and inspiration when we visited was to be able to capture the
homey and vibrant essence of the past in the community center’s spaces. This
image was taken during one of the shows that the staff and volunteers put on
for the kids at the El Pueblo Center. They used to put on comedies, puppet
shows, and different cultural events. I loved how eager and focused these kids
look together. The youth of El Pueblo found great joy in going to this center every
week. It was a place they could be around friends and family, but also a place to
learn and know that you were safe. Many kids and parents found a sense of
comfort coming to El Pueblo Center and was a great way to keep growing the
culture of the community. You can really feel from looking at this picture how
much life has been in this community for many decades. I was very lucky that
Ms. Becerra was able to find this picture so that I’m able to share it and
continue the circulation of the past of El Pueblo.
Limpia | Maelyca Drazkowski | 2023 | Digital
This image that I have titled Limpia features many cultural fragments. We see the sage that is burnt before the Congressman is to return from Capitol Hill by his staff and burnt again by him upon return as well. I felt as though this picture was important when displaying who El Pueblo is because it shows the traditions and cultures behind the space. El Pueblo is more than just a space for the community to go, but a safe haven for its employees and staff members. Another element of this image that I really enjoy is the Virgen de Guadalupe candle that is placed right beside the sage. This candle cleanses your space, and is believed to bring positive energy. I believe that the entirety of this image shows just how dedicated El Pueblo is to bringing positivity to Tucson, and fulfilling a desire for its community to feel and see greatness. With that being said, I thought it was important to keep this image as raw and unfiltered as possible so that it would accurately display how this area is not only seen but how it is interpreted by each
individual that comes into contact with the scene.
Light in the Dark | Maelyca Drazkowski | 2023 | Digital
This image is of a shadow from one of the remaining banners hanging from the Dia De Los Muertos celebration that was held at El Pueblo Center. Dia De Los Muertos directly translates to Day of the Dead. It is a celebration of remembrance for those that came before you whether they be loved ones or historical figures that paved the way. I was moved to take this photo because the courtyard pillar in which this shadow is so perfectly placed, the courtyard being a part of the original building of El Pueblo Neighborhood Center. I feel as though this image is the perfect celebration of the center that used to be, and what it has become–the little library that started in an office size building and the multi-purpose room they are starting renovations on.Throughout this photo-project we refer to El Pueblo Center as a who, personifying its presence in the community and continuing this sentiment. I feel as though this photo represents the current El Pueblo Center, celebrating the person that came before it, almost like a daughter celebrating her mother and who she encouraged her to become.
Supremo | Maelyca Drazkowski | 2023 | Digital
This photo was taken in the El Pueblo Center at the Frank De La Cruz - El Pueblo Library. This
book is a part of the Frank De La Cruz Collection that focuses on U.S./Mexico Borderland
history, culture and traditions; literature that is so important to the community and
culture of El Pueblo Center. I took this photo without moving or changing the position of the
book as I wanted to display what it looks like to visitors at the library. Yo El Supremo is a
fiction novel by Augusto Roa Bastos that details the true story that is known all too well of
the dictatorships faced by many in Latin America. Yo El Supremo displays the belief that
your story can be told and heard no matter what your background is and I believe the idea
of a strong community despite your circumstances is exactly what El Pueblo embodies for
those that frequent the center. The work has a strong themes of language and power, two
themes that are also strong within Chicano activism. A quote that I believe is very
descriptive of what I hope to display through these images from this literature is as follows
"The man with a good memory remembers nothing because he forgets nothing." I want to
display not just who El Pueblo Center started as but what it will grow into and how it will be
remembered, that go beyond the news articles and televised events.
Collage of the Past | Lauren Fields | 2023 | Digital
Through this photograph, I have managed to capture numerous glimpses of the past, all depicting events that occurred at the El Pueblo Neighborhood Center. The image I have chosen encapsulates the essence of the past and the aspirations of the community to return to it. It portrays events that highlight the community's emphasis on family values and providing a secure space for all its members. During our initial site visit, the storytellers expressed their desire for the community center to revert to its former state. These pictures showcase the events that fostered a familial atmosphere that the community aims to revive in the present.