City Arts Gallery is inviting visitors to step into the world of color, light and spirit with the unveiling of their latest exhibit, “Jaguar Azul” featuring art from Sal Garcia.
The unveiling of “Jaguar Azul” will take place during the Art Walk on Friday, Aug. 14 at City Arts Gallery, 420 Virginia St.
“It’s actually stunning. (His) work should be seen in person. There’s nothing you can see online that would do it justice,” said Vallejo artist and filmmaker TJ Walkup. “His work speaks sub-textually to his shamanistic view of the world. I think it’s incredibly unique for people to see a collection of work like this.”
The exhibit will also feature newer works by emerging artists displayed on the opposite side of the wall at City Arts Gallery. Another installation, “Inspirations,” will feature art from Linda Baehr and Caroline Takeda.
“Artists who haven’t had a lot of opportunities to show or had a longer career, will give them the opportunity to do that,” said Walkup. “The fact that (Garcia) is humble enough to do that, to reach back to the community, is really important for us.”
Garcia is a celebrated painter, sculptor, printmaker and jewelry artist and a Vallejo resident.
He is also a friend of Carmen Slack, executive director of Solano County Arts Council.
Slack met Garcia four years ago through Garcia’s wife, Lori.
“I was doing grant work with the Hewlett Foundation and we met, we worked together, and Lori introduced me to Sal,” said Slack.
“Jaguar Azul,” also known in English as “The Blue Jaguar,” is a shamanic figure associated with magic and healing. The Jaguar Azul serves as Sal Garcia’s personal muse.
Although his artwork centers on color, light and symbolism, Slack said it also serves as a reminder that Indigenous Nations and art are very much present.
An activist, Garcia participated in the Chicano Rights and Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Movements throughout the sixties, seventies and eighties.
Both Garcia and Slack were part of the American Indian Movement (AIM), a Native American civil rights and activist organization founded in Minneapolis in the late sixties.
“There’s more than 50 tribes in Mexico. The Aztecs, the Mayans, still exist today. It’s very important to keep people knowing that tribes, the language, the culture and Native Americans are still present. (California) was part of Mexico,” said Slack.
Slack said “Jaguar Azul” is also significant because of Vallejo’s large Latino community.
According to the United States Census, the Latino / Hispanic community make up 29.8% of Vallejo’s population.
His work is also influenced by his love of color and pre-Colombian design, as well as the art and mythology of native tribes of the Americas.
The new Jaguar Azul exhibit by Sal Garcia at City Arts Gallery in downtown Vallejo opens Friday for Art Walk. (Chris Riley/Times-Herald)
His travels throughout the world including China, Japan, Mexico, Spain, North Africa and the American Southwest have also influenced his work.
Although he was born in San Antonio, Texas and grew up in Fresno, Calif., Garcia has lived and worked in the Bay Area for the last four decades.
He designed posters for organizations Radio Bilingue and Centro La Familia, along with the City of Berkeley for their first Indigenous Peoples Day.
Sal previously worked at Galería de la Raza in San Francisco’s Mission District, where he curated numerous exhibitions. He also designed album covers and developed a friendship with Bay Area Latin rock legend Carlos Santana.
According to a City Arts Gallery press release, “His distinctive artwork has been featured on Santana album releases, including ‘Ceremony: Remixes & Rarities’ and ‘Blessings and Miracles’, reflecting the powerful connection between his visual art and the music that has inspired generations.”
Slack encourages visitors to stop by City Arts Gallery to meet new people, view the artwork and, perhaps, catch a glimpse of Carlos Santana.
“It isn’t unusual for Santana to come and buy and see art in Vallejo,” said Slack.
She added, “When you see the art in person, you’ll be surprised with all its detail.”
Garcia will speak about his love of pre-Colombian design and color at 7 p.m.