(The website presented here is a reflection of what Arte de la Vida has in stock. All items are either in stock or have been sold thru our shop. If you would like to see a representation of current Items for sale, please go to our Facebook Page here ; our Instagram Page here ; or our Blog Page here on the website, where we upload images on a weekly, if not daily basis. Make sure to 'follow', 'love', 'like', both pages to receive updates in your Facebook and Instagram feed.)
Arte de la Vida and Galería Senita are proud to present Lotería de Tucson 2018. Loteria is a popular and historic Mexican card and tableau game. The most popular version of the 54 card deck was produced in 1887 Mexico and this classic edition is still widely available throughout the world. Over a year ago, Kevin Pawlak and James Goodreau, owners of Arte de la Vida and Galería Senita, decided to create a 54 card Loteria deck rooted in the history and culture of Southern Arizona that could be sold to support the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona. All the cards in the new Lotería de Tucson deck would represent places, plants, people, food, critters, etc. that make The Old Pueblo what it is today. Three local community leaders, Tucson Museum of Art’s Julie Sasse, Arizona Daily Star’s Kathleen Allen, and Arizona State Museum’s Diane Dittemore, selected over 60 iconic images, past and present, that exemplified Tucson and Southern Arizona.
In the spring of 2018, James and Kevin put a call out to local artists who had a strong connection to Tucson and whose hearts belonged to The Old Pueblo, to participate in a Loteria exhibit. Well over 100 artists submitted examples of their work and 54 were chosen. On June 30, a lottery was held and the artists drew from a hat the title that was to be their inspiration in creating a Lotería de Tucson card. The artists then each demonstrated their signature styles and created unique interpretations of the card titles they had drawn. The completed artworks were photographed and printed into a Lotería de Tucson Card Deck that is now available for sale with all proceeds going to the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona. On October 5th there was a charity opening of the Lotería de Tucson exhibit benefiting "No More Deaths" and "Sister Jose Women’s Center”. The original artworks are featured in this exhibit and are available for sale until December 1, 2018.
In the spring of 2018, James and Kevin put a call out to local artists who had a strong connection to Tucson and whose hearts belonged to The Old Pueblo, to participate in a Loteria exhibit. Well over 100 artists submitted examples of their work and 54 were chosen. On June 30, a lottery was held and the artists drew from a hat the title that was to be their inspiration in creating a Lotería de Tucson card. The artists then each demonstrated their signature styles and created unique interpretations of the card titles they had drawn. The completed artworks were photographed and printed into a Lotería de Tucson Card Deck that is now available for sale with all proceeds going to the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona. On October 5th there was a charity opening of the Lotería de Tucson exhibit benefiting "No More Deaths" and "Sister Jose Women’s Center”. The original artworks are featured in this exhibit and are available for sale until December 1, 2018.
Arte de la Vida was founded in Tucson, Arizona by two gents, Kevin and James, with much help from our beloved four legged folk art friend's Jack and Artie! The Arte de la Vida 'collecting' bug started about 15 years ago and has been nurtured over many years of driving across the Southwestern states 'hunting' for goods to add to our collection. We finally got the 'selling' bug and happily decided to open our first store in 2012. Along with the brick and mortar, we present this website, offering a selection of our wares so that the rest of you who do not reside in Tucson can share in the passion known as Arte de la Vida.
Whether you're a beginning novice or a seriously addicted collector, we strive to offer you the finest pieces, hand selected with our increasingly knowledgeable eye, from nearly every Barrio, Town and Metropolis of Old Mexico. These include:
~ Vintage pieces from Mexican Maestros such as: Heron Martinez, Candelario Medrano, Teadora Blanco, Alfonso Castillo, Lucano, Olay, Dolores Pores and the Josefina Aguilar, to name a few.
~ A growing Collection Of Vintage Arizona Fine Crafts, Mid Century Modern and Mexican Modernism.
~ Contemporary pieces from artists like Angel Ortiz, Alfonso Soteno and Sergio Gonzalez, and many others.
Our wares for sale include Mexican Pottery, Folk Art, Tin, Wood, Textiles and the largest collection of Vintage Mexican glass in the Southwest.
Set in A Tourist Shop Atmosphere when the days of crossing the border where safe and fancy free, Arte de la Vida strives at capturing the Mexico of your youth!
Arte de la Vida is always searching for quality items from single pieces to entire collections. This means we are always on the “hunt” to find new items so you can add unique pieces to your treasured collections. Just let us know what you are looking for, and we will keep our eyes open. To be of further assistance to our collector friends, we are happy to do consignments.
Should you find yourself in Tucson, please stop by our retail location: 37 North Tucson Blvd. -- or give us a jingle: 520.398.6720
Hours vary depending on season.