The book is a photographic homecoming as well as a project that reflects upon the transformations undergone by the author's home, Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood. Made during the past two years of the Covid-19 pandemic, the photographs in the book move through the public and private places where people have begun to convene again: the festivals and celebrations held in parks, the semipublic spaces - the sidewalks, stoops, and yards of Pilsen - where residents and strangers intermix and, more recently, the homes and studios of friends.

About the Artist:

Diana Soli­s, a Chicago icon based in the Pilsen community, has been working as a visual artist, photo-journalist, poet and community-based educator for almost half a century. She was born in 1956 in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from The University of Illinois Chicago. Soli­s recently published a book of photography titled Luz: Seeing the Space Between Us (Flatland Press) and has been on a national tour this year.

The Poetry Libretto and CD, titled "With a Photograph", provides a flowing musical arrangement for each poem recited in the poet's own voice. In turn, the reader as a listener is gifted an audio and transcendental experience.

About the Artist:

Gregorio Gomez Aguayo, an immigrant from Veracruz, Mexico, is a writer, director, producer and organizer who has been at the heart of Chicago's Latino art and spoken word communities. As the Managing Director of the Latino Chicago Theater Company, countless plays in the company's original style of "cartooning" were produced that gave young Latino and Latina actors and playwrights a home and platform to launch their careers. He also co-produced two feature films and a documentary. For over 30 years, Gregorio hosted the open mic venue at Weeds Live Poetry, no doubt one source of his notoriety in and with the city's poetry underground. Above ground, his poetry has been published in numerous alternative magazines and anthologies, he has been featured with master guitarists, musicians and performance artists and has received high honors and recognition. Gomez, aka "El Ghost Who Walks", continues to thrive as a sage voice in Chicago. "Poetry should be able to move us like a quake, change thought and feeling, enrage passion and discourse, honor and respect. Poetry is our bloodline, the freedom of the open mic allows our voice to be heard."

"Adventures with Abuela" is a series of bilingual children's books that takes the reader on an adventure with Rio, his Abuela and other members of the family. The stories are interesting, beautifully illustrated, based on three Chicago Institutions to date (Brookfield Zoo, Shedd Aquarium and Museum of Science and Industry) and written by author/grandmother Virginia Marti­nez. The author wants to encourage parents to not only read to their children but to also take them to the wonderous treasures that we have in Chicago.

About the Artist

The author is a retired attorney who was the first known Latina of Mexican descent to pass the bar in Illinois. She has spent much of her career working in nonprofit organizations and has been a strong advocate for Latinos, women and children. The author has volunteered with many community organizations over the years.

About the Painting

The other eight (8) prints include: Frida; Si Se Puede/Rosita Adelita; Frida La Guerillera; Santo, Coatlicue, Maya, Ofrenda Dia de Los Muertos and Marcos. Each has its own particular inspiration and story rooted in community and struggle across borders, sin fronteras. As a master muralist, his largest commissioned mural to date is located in Sterling, IL. His body of work can be found across many businesses, schools, places of worship, nonprofit organizations and living rooms. This is listed as #1 of 2 identical Auction items.

About the Artist

Valadez grew-up in the Pilsen (la dieciocho) neighborhood where he painted his first murals, inspired by the rich tradition of Mexican muralists and artists Frida Kahlo and William Walker. He studied art and learned-by-doing as an assistant with various local muralists. Valadez traces his family's Chicago roots to his grandfather who immigrated here from Mexico in the 1920's. He is grateful to his father and grandfather who encouraged and influenced his passionate pursuit of art.

See the link below from an article (9/8/2021) in the McKinely Park News for information about Mr. Valadez's commissioned art works at the First Lutheran Church of the Trinity in Chicago's Bridgeport neighborhood. https://mckinleypark.news/news/2020-message-meets-necessity-in-the-artwork-of-robert-valadez

Rai­ces Fibras Magicas is a book with seventy color images, taken from thirteen of my series from my pictorial work on bark (Amate) paper using ancient techniques learned from descendants and artisans from the Purepecha indigenous peoples of Michoan, Mexico. The title and text refer to my cultural roots and the beauty found on the amate paper fibers. For the last 20 years, this magical paper has formed part of my pictorial language.

About the Artist:

Esperanza Gama, a visual artist, was born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. She received her BFA from the School of Fine Arts at the University of Guadalajara and studied printmaking and various techniques in France and Japan. Her drawings, paintings, etchings, sculptures and installations have been exhibited in numerous solo and collective exhibitions throughout the U.S., Mexico and Europe and can be found in numerous publications, book covers, medical illustrations, children's illustrations and scenography. Ms. Gama's work is internationally recognized and a recipient of numerous awards, including the Sor Juana Award given by the National Museum of Mexican Art (NMMA) of Chicago in 2003. Her works of art can be found in the permanent collections of the NMMA, the Snite Museum, Notre Dame University, IN and the Union League Club in Chicago, IL.

CARLOS CUMPIAN is a Chicagoan originally from Texas. His recent poetry book, Human Cicada (Prickly Pear Publishing, 2022), follows four earlier works: Coyote Sun (1990), Armadillo Charm (1996), and 14 Abriles (2010), as well as a children's book Latino Rainbow: Poems About Latino Americans. Cumpian has been included in more than 30 poetry anthologies and in 2000 received a Gwendolyn Brooks Significant Illinois Poet award. He co-founded March Abrazo Press, the first Chicana/o, Native American and Latino poetry small press in Illinois. His recent essays have appeared in Poetry Magazine and in With A Book in Their Hands: Chicano/a Readers and Readerships Across the Centuries. Cumpian recently co-edited the newly published book, We Are Still Here: Selected Art and Collected Poetry of Carlos Cortez Koyokuikatl (Charles H. Kerr Publishers, 2023).

About the Artist:

Cumpian taught creative writing and poetry in the English Department of Columbia College Chicago, in the Chicago Public Schools and Charter School systems and at various community arts nonprofit organizations and as a writer-in residence funded by the Illinois Arts Council. He is a member of the Macondo literary organization, and a board member of an educational non-profit California-based organization MeXicanos2070. He was listed in the August 2023 issue of New City Magazine as one of the top 50 Chicagoans in literary work.

"About a Woman" is the name for my series of large-scale drawings, studies, and eventually a 6' x 5' oil painting. From this process, the intent was to narrow my ideas and finalize the composition for this unique lithograph print which is first etched on a stone and then printed by master printer Gabe Hoar at Hoof Print Chicago. This is numbered as print 1 of a limited run of only 20 prints.

The lithograph black & white print "About a Woman" reflects the levels and intensity of heavy activity, many times violent and oppressive, historically and currently perpetrated against women worldwide and in our own country. It depicts resilience, survival, hope and forward movement.

I drew inspiration for this lithograph series of work from a lyrical poem called "See the Woman" by the late Native American poet and activist, John Trudell (Santee Dakota). The poem is included in his book Lines from a Mined Mind, 2008. Other inspirations originated from two favorite musicians and song writers, Roger Waters of Pink Floyd in the song, Wish you were here (1975), and a line from the song, Ramshackle Day Parade (2003) by Joe Strummer. Their global perspectives is very much in sync with the way I perceive the world as a visual artist.

About the Artist

Ricardo Santos Hernandez is a Chicago-based visual artist, a long distance runner and former Chicago Public Schools educator. Originally from Nogales, Arizona, his works of art have been exhibited across the United States, England and Mexico. In 2015, Mr. Hernandez founded the Ambos Nogales Border Art Project, a corridor of diversely indigenous visual artists who have exhibited extensively from southern Arizona and northern Mexico, including the Pasqua Yaqui Villages, the San Xavier Tohono O'odham Reservation and north to Tucson. He is a member of the Chicago Alliance of Visual Artists and collaborate extensively with Hoof Print Chicago. Mr. Hernandez studied art at the University of Texas at Austin and received a master's degree in painting and drawing from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 1996.

One of the nine (9) colored prints from original acrylic paintings on canvas, the artists' description of La Virgen de Guadalupe offers a glimpse of what inspires his work - ancestral culture, community, equity, resilience and justice. This item is listed as #1 of 2 identical auction prints.

About the Painting

"This painting was commissioned by the Catholic order of Claretians. They asked me to create my own interpretation of the Virgen de Guadalupe. I decided that I would paint an image that was true to the legend. The original Virgen was actually based on the indigenous deity, Tonantzin, the earth mother of the Mexika people. The conquering Europeans sought to christianize her, so as to convert the people to their religion. Over the years both the indigenous and Mestizo peoples of Mexico were able to reappropriate Nuestra Senora and bring her back to her roots. Thus she indeed is the mother of us all."

About the Painting

Frida La Guerillera, has its own particular inspiration and story rooted in community and struggle across borders, sin fronteras. As a master muralist, his largest commissioned mural to date is located in Sterling, IL. His body of work can be found across many businesses, schools, places of worship, nonprofit organizations and living rooms. This item is listed as #1 of 2 identical Auction items.

About the Artist

Valadez grew-up in the Pilsen (la dieciocho) neighborhood where he painted his first murals, inspired by the rich tradition of Mexican muralists and artists Frida Kahlo and William Walker. He studied art and learned-by-doing as an assistant with various local muralists. Valadez traces his family's Chicago roots to his grandfather who immigrated here from Mexico in the 1920's. He is grateful to his father and grandfather who encouraged and influenced his passionate pursuit of art.

About the Painting

The print, "Santo", has its own particular inspiration and story rooted in community and struggle across borders, sin fronteras. As a master muralist, his largest commissioned mural to date is located in Sterling, IL. His body of work can be found across many businesses, schools, places of worship, nonprofit organizations and living rooms. This item is listed as #1 of 2 identical auction items.

About the Artist

Valadez grew-up in the Pilsen (la dieciocho) neighborhood where he painted his first murals, inspired by the rich tradition of Mexican muralists and artists Frida Kahlo and William Walker. He studied art and learned-by-doing as an assistant with various local muralists. Valadez traces his family's Chicago roots to his grandfather who immigrated here from Mexico in the 1920's. He is grateful to his father and grandfather who encouraged and influenced his passionate pursuit of art.

About the Painting

The print, "Coatlicue", has its own particular inspiration and story rooted in community and struggle across borders, sin fronteras. As a master muralist, his largest commissioned mural to date is located in Sterling, IL. His body of work can be found across many businesses, schools, places of worship, nonprofit organizations and living rooms. This item is listed as #1 of 2 identical action items.

About the Artist

Valadez grew-up in the Pilsen (la dieciocho) neighborhood where he painted his first murals, inspired by the rich tradition of Mexican muralists and artists Frida Kahlo and William Walker. He studied art and learned-by-doing as an assistant with various local muralists. Valadez traces his family's Chicago roots to his grandfather who immigrated here from Mexico in the 1920's. He is grateful to his father and grandfather who encouraged and influenced his passionate pursuit of art.

About the Painting

The print, "Maya", has its own particular inspiration and story rooted in community and struggle across borders, sin fronteras. As a master muralist, his largest commissioned mural to date is located in Sterling, IL. His body of work can be found across many businesses, schools, places of worship, nonprofit organizations and living rooms. This item is listed as #1 of 2 identical auction items.

About the Artist

Valadez grew-up in the Pilsen (la dieciocho) neighborhood where he painted his first murals, inspired by the rich tradition of Mexican muralists and artists Frida Kahlo and William Walker. He studied art and learned-by-doing as an assistant with various local muralists. Valadez traces his family's Chicago roots to his grandfather who immigrated here from Mexico in the 1920's. He is grateful to his father and grandfather who encouraged and influenced his passionate pursuit of art.

About the Painting

Ofrenda Dia del los Muertos has its own particular inspiration and story rooted in community and struggle across borders, sin fronteras. As a master muralist, his largest commissioned mural to date is located in Sterling, IL. His body of work can be found across many businesses, schools, places of worship, nonprofit organizations and living rooms. This is listed as #1 of 2 identical auction items.

About the Artist

Valadez grew-up in the Pilsen (la dieciocho) neighborhood where he painted his first murals, inspired by the rich tradition of Mexican muralists and artists Frida Kahlo and William Walker. He studied art and learned-by-doing as an assistant with various local muralists. Valadez traces his family's Chicago roots to his grandfather who immigrated here from Mexico in the 1920's. He is grateful to his father and grandfather who encouraged and influenced his passionate pursuit of art.

About the Painting

Marcos, has its own particular inspiration and story rooted in community and struggle across borders, sin fronteras. As a master muralist, his largest commissioned mural to date is located in Sterling, IL. His body of work can be found across many businesses, schools, places of worship, nonprofit organizations and living rooms. This item is listed as #1 of 2 identical auction items.

About the Artist

Valadez grew-up in the Pilsen (la dieciocho) neighborhood where he painted his first murals, inspired by the rich tradition of Mexican muralists and artists Frida Kahlo and William Walker. He studied art and learned-by-doing as an assistant with various local muralists. Valadez traces his family's Chicago roots to his grandfather who immigrated here from Mexico in the 1920's. He is grateful to his father and grandfather who encouraged and influenced his passionate pursuit of art.

As the World's third largest premium spirits company, Beam Suntory is crafting the spirits that stir the world. Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company's brands, including the flagship Jim Beam bourbon and Yamazaki Japanese whisky, as well as world renown premium brands including Maker's Mark and Knob Creek bourbons, Hakusku and Hibiki Japanese whiskies, Teacher's, Laphroaig, and Bowmore Scotch whiskies, Canadian Club whisky, Courvoisier cognac, Sauza tequila, Pinnacle vodka, and Midori Liqueur.

Auction items include a Spirits bundle, Official Jim Beam Cooler and Official LED Maker's Mark Corn Hole game.

REVOLUTION IS ILLINOIS' LARGEST INDEPENDENTLY-OWNED BREWERY.

The change in the U.S. beer scene has undoubtedly been revolutionary. We are proud of what we have accomplished in our short time to become a leader and innovator in the industry. The evolving tastes of beer drinkers has demanded bigger flavors, more variety, and better beer. That's exactly what we give you at Revolution Brewing. Between our brewery and our brewpub, we produce dozens of different beer styles every year. IPAs, porters, pilsners, Belgian-style ales, pale ales, barrel-aged beers-the list goes on.

Our brewery has been a labor of love. You can see it in everything we do, from the beautiful details of our mahogany bar at the brewpub, to the massive beauty of our eight 800 barrel fermenters at the brewery, to the commitment to quality in each beer that we put in a can or a keg. Revolution believes in the value of hard work. We work hard to provide great, accessible brews for everyday people. We have fun doing what we do and hope you have fun drinking our beers.

14"x11", Archival print of mixed media painting,
unframed gallery wrapped canvas, black border and dust cover for wall mounting, with hardware included.

About the Artist:

John considers himself to be a storyteller. His inspiration grows from his
deep love and respect for archeology, anthropology, mythology, and
theology. Many of his pieces reveal a feminist perspective, where others
reveal a strong sense of spirituality and a personal search for the Divine in
his own life. Regardless of the angle, all of his pieces endeavor to bring to
mind the vulnerability of the human experience...and of the beauty of
loving that which is imperfect.
His love of storytelling, his interest in spirituality and his passion for the arts
come directly from his abuelita, who, over the course of an arts-focused
Puerto Rican and Dominican upbringing, sowed a creative seed in John and
nourished it lovingly.

About the Auction

Ticket includesââ'¬Â¦

access for you and 1 guest to our observation deck. A ride on our TILT experience and
One drink from our bar

About the donor

360 Chicago believes that community support strengthens the City of Chicago and is the cornerstone of a growing and prosperous city environment. Be it for those who reside and work in Chicago or those we are able to aid who live in local communities, we are happy to help you in growing awareness through this event.

Pat Hughes, Chicago Cubs announcer, signed replica sportscaster microphone in silver with HOF 2023 inscription. Complete with hologram/QR code of authenticity.

Pat Hughes, Chicago Cubs announcer, signed talking bobblehead w/ 2023 HOF inscription and hologram/QR code of authenticity. Listen to the "Last Call" of the Cubs 2016 WS Championship!

A large "signed" colorized 16x20 framed "Portrait" photo of Justin Fields with hologram & QR code authenticity.

From the Ted Lasso Show - Brent Goldstein (aka Roy Kent) signed custom blue jersey with certificate of authenticity.

Christopher Morel signed white pinstripe Chicago Cubs jersey with certificate of authenticity.

Cody Bellinger signed MLB baseball in display case with nameplate and Certificate of authenticity.

A signed Demar DeRozen red Chicago Bulls custom jersey with certificate of authenticity.

A Michael Jordan limited edition print signed and numbered by Artist Elliot From Artbeat Live, framed and matted.

About the Artist

Artbeat Gallery, in association with Artbeat Live Studios is the brainchild of expressionist performance painter Elliot From. Always a philanthropist at heart, From as developed a charitable give-back program, allowing charitable partners to host events at the space and creating a series of limited edition artwork exclusively created for the sale and support of Charities

The Poetry Libretto and CD, titled "With a Photograph", provides a flowing musical arrangement for each poem recited in the poet's own voice. In turn, the reader as a listener is gifted an audio and transcendental experience. (This auction is listed as 1 of 2 copies.)

About the Artist:

Gregorio Gomez Aguayo, an immigrant from Veracruz, Mexico, is a writer, director, producer and organizer who has been at the heart of Chicago's Latino art and spoken word communities. As the Managing Director of the Latino Chicago Theater Company, countless plays in the company's original style of "cartooning" were produced that gave young Latino and Latina actors and playwrights a home and platform to launch their careers. He also co-produced two feature films and a documentary. For over 30 years, Gregorio hosted the open mic venue at Weeds Live Poetry, no doubt one source of his notoriety in and with the city's poetry underground. Above ground, his poetry has been published in numerous alternative magazines and anthologies, he has been featured with master guitarists, musicians and performance artists and has received high honors and recognition. Gomez, aka "El Ghost Who Walks", continues to thrive as a sage voice in Chicago. "Poetry should be able to move us like a quake, change thought and feeling, enrage passion and discourse, honor and respect. Poetry is our bloodline, ¦the freedom of the open mic allows our voice to be heard."

About the Painting

"This painting was commissioned by the Catholic order of Claretians. They asked me to create my own interpretation of the Virgen de Guadalupe. I decided that I would paint an image that was true to the legend. The original Virgen was actually based on the indigenous deity, Tonantzin, the earth mother of the Mexika people. The conquering Europeans sought to Christianize her, so as to convert the people to their religion. Over the years both the indigenous and Mestizo peoples of Mexico were able to appropriate Nuestra Senora and bring her back to her roots. Thus she indeed is the mother of us all."

The other eight (8) prints include: Frida; Si Se Puede/Rosita Adelita; Frida La Guerillera; Santo, Coatlicue, Maya, Ofrenda Dia de Los Muertos and Marcos. Each has its own particular inspiration and story rooted in community and struggle across borders, sin fronteras. As a master muralist, his largest commissioned mural to date is located in Sterling, IL. His body of work can be found across many businesses, schools, places of worship, nonprofit organizations and living rooms. This is #1 of 2 identical auction items.

About the Artist

Valadez grew-up in the Pilsen (la dieciocho) neighborhood where he painted his first murals, inspired by the rich tradition of Mexican muralists and artists Frida Kahlo and William Walker. He studied art and learned-by-doing as an assistant with various local muralists. Valadez traces his family's Chicago roots to his grandfather who immigrated here from Mexico in the 1920's. He is grateful to his father and grandfather who encouraged and influenced his passionate pursuit of art.

See the link below from an article (9/8/2021) in the McKinely Park News for information about Mr. Valadez's commissioned art works at the First Lutheran Church of the Trinity in Chicago's Bridgeport neighborhood. https://mckinleypark.news/news/2020-message-meets-necessity-in-the-artwork-of-robert-valadez

One of the nine (9) colored prints from original acrylic paintings on canvas, the artists' description of La Virgen de Guadalupe offers a glimpse of what inspires his work - ancestral culture, community, equity, resilience and justice. This item is #1 of 2 identical prints.

About the Painting

"This painting was commissioned by the Catholic order of Claretians. They asked me to create my own interpretation of the Virgen de Guadalupe. I decided that I would paint an image that was true to the legend. The original Virgen was actually based on the indigenous deity, Tonantzin, the earth mother of the Mexika people. The conquering Europeans sought to christianize her, so as to convert the people to their religion. Over the years both the indigenous and Mestizo peoples of Mexico were able to reappropriate Nuestra Senora and bring her back to her roots. Thus she indeed is the mother of us all."

About the Painting

Frida La Guerillera, has its own particular inspiration and story rooted in community and struggle across borders, sin fronteras. As a master muralist, his largest commissioned mural to date is located in Sterling, IL. His body of work can be found across many businesses, schools, places of worship, nonprofit organizations and living rooms. This is #2 of 2 identical Auction items.

About the Artist

Valadez grew-up in the Pilsen (la dieciocho) neighborhood where he painted his first murals, inspired by the rich tradition of Mexican muralists and artists Frida Kahlo and William Walker. He studied art and learned-by-doing as an assistant with various local muralists. Valadez traces his family's Chicago roots to his grandfather who immigrated here from Mexico in the 1920's. He is grateful to his father and grandfather who encouraged and influenced his passionate pursuit of art.

About the Painting

The print, "Santo", has its own particular inspiration and story rooted in community and struggle across borders, sin fronteras. As a master muralist, his largest commissioned mural to date is located in Sterling, IL. His body of work can be found across many businesses, schools, places of worship, nonprofit organizations and living rooms. This is #2 of 2 identical Auction items.

About the Artist

Valadez grew-up in the Pilsen (la dieciocho) neighborhood where he painted his first murals, inspired by the rich tradition of Mexican muralists and artists Frida Kahlo and William Walker. He studied art and learned-by-doing as an assistant with various local muralists. Valadez traces his family's Chicago roots to his grandfather who immigrated here from Mexico in the 1920's. He is grateful to his father and grandfather who encouraged and influenced his passionate pursuit of art.

About the Painting

The print, "Coatlicue", has its own particular inspiration and story rooted in community and struggle across borders, sin fronteras. As a master muralist, his largest commissioned mural to date is located in Sterling, IL. His body of work can be found across many businesses, schools, places of worship, nonprofit organizations and living rooms. This is number #2 of 2 identical prints.

About the Artist

Valadez grew-up in the Pilsen (la dieciocho) neighborhood where he painted his first murals, inspired by the rich tradition of Mexican muralists and artists Frida Kahlo and William Walker. He studied art and learned-by-doing as an assistant with various local muralists. Valadez traces his family's Chicago roots to his grandfather who immigrated here from Mexico in the 1920's. He is grateful to his father and grandfather who encouraged and influenced his passionate pursuit of art.

About the Painting

The print, "Maya", has its own particular inspiration and story rooted in community and struggle across borders, sin fronteras. As a master muralist, his largest commissioned mural to date is located in Sterling, IL. His body of work can be found across many businesses, schools, places of worship, nonprofit organizations and living rooms. This is listed as #2 of 2 identical auction prints.

About the Artist

Valadez grew-up in the Pilsen (la dieciocho) neighborhood where he painted his first murals, inspired by the rich tradition of Mexican muralists and artists Frida Kahlo and William Walker. He studied art and learned-by-doing as an assistant with various local muralists. Valadez traces his family's Chicago roots to his grandfather who immigrated here from Mexico in the 1920's. He is grateful to his father and grandfather who encouraged and influenced his passionate pursuit of art.

About the Painting

Ofrenda Dia del los Muertos has its own particular inspiration and story rooted in community and struggle across borders, sin fronteras. As a master muralist, his largest commissioned mural to date is located in Sterling, IL. His body of work can be found across many businesses, schools, places of worship, nonprofit organizations and living rooms. This is #2 of 2 identical auction items.

About the Artist

Valadez grew-up in the Pilsen (la dieciocho) neighborhood where he painted his first murals, inspired by the rich tradition of Mexican muralists and artists Frida Kahlo and William Walker. He studied art and learned-by-doing as an assistant with various local muralists. Valadez traces his family's Chicago roots to his grandfather who immigrated here from Mexico in the 1920's. He is grateful to his father and grandfather who encouraged and influenced his passionate pursuit of art.

About the Painting

Marcos, has its own particular inspiration and story rooted in community and struggle across borders, sin fronteras. As a master muralist, his largest commissioned mural to date is located in Sterling, IL. His body of work can be found across many businesses, schools, places of worship, nonprofit organizations and living rooms. This is #2 of 2 identical auction items.

About the Artist

Valadez grew-up in the Pilsen (la dieciocho) neighborhood where he painted his first murals, inspired by the rich tradition of Mexican muralists and artists Frida Kahlo and William Walker. He studied art and learned-by-doing as an assistant with various local muralists. Valadez traces his family's Chicago roots to his grandfather who immigrated here from Mexico in the 1920's. He is grateful to his father and grandfather who encouraged and influenced his passionate pursuit of art.

The other eight (8) prints include: Frida; Si Se Puede/Rosita Adelita; Frida La Guerillera; Santo, Coatlicue, Maya, Ofrenda Dia de Los Muertos and Marcos. Each has its own particular inspiration and story rooted in community and struggle across borders, sin fronteras. As a master muralist, his largest commissioned mural to date is located in Sterling, IL. His body of work can be found across many businesses, schools, places of worship, nonprofit organizations and living rooms. This is #1 of 2 identical auction items.

About the Artist

Valadez grew-up in the Pilsen (la dieciocho) neighborhood where he painted his first murals, inspired by the rich tradition of Mexican muralists and artists Frida Kahlo and William Walker. He studied art and learned-by-doing as an assistant with various local muralists. Valadez traces his family's Chicago roots to his grandfather who immigrated here from Mexico in the 1920's. He is grateful to his father and grandfather who encouraged and influenced his passionate pursuit of art.

See the link below from an article (9/8/2021) in the McKinely Park News for information about Mr. Valadez's commissioned art works at the First Lutheran Church of the Trinity in Chicago's Bridgeport neighborhood. https://mckinleypark.news/news/2020-message-meets-necessity-in-the-artwork-of-robert-valadez

Football #49 Tremaine Edmunds

Hat #9 Jaquan Brisker