PILSEN — In memory of their fallen son, owners of La Catrina Café are launching a fund aimed at providing life-changing opportunities for young artists in Pilsen.
Diana Galicia and Salvador Corona have launched The Gabriel Project, an organization that will provide resources for young adult artists through a network of established artists, professional coaching and workshops
The project is named for their son Gabriel Cisneros, who died in May at age 22 after a battle with an illness, Galicia said this week.
"We are making a difference for our community and its children," Galicia said. "Too many of our youth are resorting to drugs and violence. If we give them an avenue to pursue another passion, I know we can change lives."
The La Catrina family will launch The Gabriel Project with a open gallery at the cafe, 1011 W. 18th St., from 6-10 p.m. Friday featuring their son's artwork and an auction of donated pieces by local Pilsen artists. Proceeds from the event, hosted during Pilsen's 2nd Fridays gallery night, will benefit The Gabriel Project.
The event is open to the public.
Gabriel, a gifted artist who worked at the cafe, was Galicia's youngest child and participated in many Pilsen mural projects while developing his own unique art, his mother said.
Artists that donated artwork to the auction include: Leticia Rodarte, Laura Neira, Elizabeth Ortiz, Gabriela Ibarra, Ariana Koultourides, Guadalupe Ponce (Lupillo Rock Photography), Salvador Vega, Mynor Paredes, Chema Skandal, Victor M. Montañez, Mary Schumann, Robert Valadez, Nia Jasper (Hannah), Emmanuel White Eagel, Carlos Barberena, Amara Betty, Silvia Ines Gonzalez, Piloto Ruiz, Amanda Mudrovich, Sam Kirk, Clara Joyce, Diana Solis, Tim Arroyo and Teresa Magaña.
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