Raised in Globeville, Anthony Garcia Sr. knows the street, but his artist's vision only wants to make the street more beautiful -- with grassroots public art and murals. Garcia may have moved on from Globeville, but his heart remains in the community, where members of the Birdseed Collective, a cooperative artists' organization that he leads, works on arts-based projects with local kids while banding together to create opportunities for sharing their work. Last year, Garcia helped create one of two public murals decorating a highway overpass in Globeville, while also upping Birdseed's fundraising efforts with the goal of diversifying the group's community work. What will he be doing this year? Learn the answer to that and more from his 100CC questionnaire, which follows.
All photos courtesy of Anthony Garcia Sr.
See also: 100 Colorado Creatives: Meghan Throckmorton Collar
If you could collaborate with anyone in history, who would it be, and why?I am the type of person who likes to show the world what people have to offer. If I was alive during the ancient Mayan or Egyptian times, I would be curious as to what my role would be or where I would fit in being the go-getter that I am. My spiritual side would pull me more towards a shaman or witch-doctor role, but the artist in me would love to take part in the creation of the temples and their design. The arts are very spiritually based, and my energy should be used for more than just that.
Who in the world is interesting to you right now and why?
Jimmy Fallon -- his playful yet down-to-earth attitude shows the world that it is okay to have fun and still be successful. Continue reading for more from Anthony Garcia Sr. What's one art trend you want to see die this year?I love graffiti and have ties to the graff scene, but would like to see fewer graffiti walls and more permanent murals. I am also sick of everyone having the hipster beards.
What's your day job?
Running Birdseed Collective is an ongoing job that I am constantly working on. I just finished a two-year contract implementing the Smart Card for RTD. I currently am the volunteer program director at Street-Kidz Youth Center.
A mystery patron offers you unlimited funds for life. What will you do with it?
I am the type of person who likes to spread the wealth around. I would like to create more jobs for artists. Pay for more public art in multiple cities. I also would create a public art-studio space for all to use.
What's one thing Denver (or Colorado) could do to help the arts?
I would like to see more public art. Also, more art funding and Denver reaching out to a wider variety of up-and-coming artists instead of a core group of artists. I would also like to see more commissioned sculptures.
Continue reading for more from Anthony Garcia Sr. Who is your favorite Colorado Creative? Because I work so hard promoting my company, Birdseed Collective, I have been turned off from creating my own artwork. It started to feel more like work than doing art. Meghan Throckmorton of Rakun has helped me find a balance in the art world and taught me how to enjoy my job while completing the logistical duties of running my own company. This has made me more grounded to my artwork while seeing the other pieces in a different light.What's on your agenda in the coming year?
I am trying to tap into private funding -- to reach out and find money in other places and do more art and create events and bring more people together. This year, we will be doing fewer shows but trying to create more fundraising opportunities to create jobs for artists.
Who do you think will get noticed in the local arts community in 2014?
I am interested to see what the band Rubedo and its crew from the former Unit E Gallery is going to do this year. They are the pioneers for Denver's new-generation DIY art scene, where music and art are one and the same. Also, Jarred DePalo of 1/1 Magazine is working hard to bring all Denver artists together.
Learn more about Anthony Garcia Sr. and the Birdseed Collective online, or visit Birdseed's Facebook page.
Throughout the year, we'll be shining the spotlight on 100 superstars from Denver's rich creative community. Stay tuned to Show and Tell for more, or visit the 100 Colorado Creatives archive to catch up.
To keep up with the Froyd's eye view of arts and culture in Denver, "like" my fan page on Facebook.
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