8/28/2003 - SUSTAINING HEROES THROUGH ART

Local artist captures historical past

For the second year Fiestas del Llano was honored to have a local artist, Jose Manuel Lopez, create the festival poster artwork. Lopez, a small businessman, has the creativity and ability to conceptualize other's ideals in a larger than life way.

The design of the poster was created maintaining the theme of the 2003 festival, "Celebrating Heroes of the Past, Present, and Future" in the concept.

“Sometimes it is easy to forget the past and the will it must have taken for everyday heroes to change and adapt with life. It was important for me to honor the past, in hopes that others would honor heroes of today including our military, who continues to fight for freedom and justice,” said Lopez. He further commented that the future lies within youth and those committed to working in a more unified manner.

Lopez will have several pieces on display in the Youth & Amateur Art Exhibit, which will be held in conjunction with the festival. The artist proudly served with the United States Marine Corp, and attended South Plains College. He is the owner of Blue Cricket Screen Printing & Graphics, located at 2305 Ave Q in Lubbock. His goal is to one day create opportunities for youth to develop their art abilities.

For over 20 years the annual Fiestas del Llano “Fiestas Patrias” has been held at the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center. The four-day festival will be held September 11th through September 14th, and is a tradition of Lubbock that allows the community to learn about the Hispanic culture.

For more information, festival music schedules and detailed information visit the Fiestas del Llano website at www.fiestasdelllano.org.

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Design Description
The circle shape is an Aztec shield reminding us to live and work in infinite unity. The center shows rays of sun, symbolic of the future. The drops of blood from the Mestizo's hand are a reminder of the blood that was shed for freedom. The chain held by a clutched hand is representative of breaking the chains of oppression through unity. The cross held high is symbolic of this faith driven event. The eagle’s claw grasping the Aztec snake is a reminder of the symbol on the Mexican flag. One of the most coveted events is the Grito de Dolores, which means, “Cry of Dolores”. The eyes of Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla are displayed to emulate the gentleness and passion of when he proclaimed independence from Spain in Dolores, Mexico in 1810. Other figures on the shield include La Adelita, who fought alongside the men; Dona Josefa de Dominguez who warned Miguel Hidalgo of the Spanish's plan to attack;the Spanish Soldiers, and an Aztec soldier. Other symbols include the ringing bells, the waving Mexican flag, as well as a small banner of the Virgin of Guadalupe, the patron saint who was indigenous to Mexico, and whose image was of a woman of color. All these symbols signify Mexico’s fight for independence. This timeless tradition is observed the eve of September 16. The rich use of color includes golds, browns, blue, green and crimson each capturing the diversity of Mexican, Hispanic, Latino people. (Interpreted by Christy Martinez)

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