Arts & Life

Incarcerated artists find hope in creating an art exhibit

By Ella McCarville

A mother stood by her son’s artwork with a beaming smile as a phone camera flashed while other visitors gazed at pieces of art intently. Artwork descriptions and artist profiles read as letters of encouragement, love, admiration, hope and, above all, resilience. The University of Arizona Museum of Art opened its newest exhibit “Hobby Craft" on Jan. 17, which will remain on display until March 29. The art was created and curated by inmates currently incarcerated in the Arizona State Prison Complex, and its themes radiated resilience.  Read more

Her name is Mean Mary from Alabam

From growing up on playing a rickety string guitar in a family-built cabin in the woods to successfully touring around the world, Mary James, or "Mean Mary," talks with the Daily Wildcat about her journey to get to where she is now.  James' band, Mean Mary and the Contrarys, is working on a project that will come out next year. Meanwhile, her own album “Cold” comes out Oct. 4, 2019 and her tour just kicked off on Sept. 14. James will be making a stop in Tucson to perform on Sept. 24 at Monterey Court. Tickets are $10. Read more

UA offers writing program for prison reform

 The University of Arizona Poetry Center is shining the spotlight on social justice and criminal reform by giving opportunities to incarcerated writers to share their authentic  and heartbreaking stories from behind bars. Read more

Exploring grief through art exhibitions

Together with ArtWorks, the University Museum of Art (UAMA) is hosting an art exhibition chronicling the universal human feelings of loss and grief titled “Crafting My Story: Experiences of Loss, Grief and Spiritual Life.” All pieces were created by adults older than thirty who have intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and who worked together with UA students through ArtWorks — an on-campus program in the Sonoran Center for Excellence in Disabilities.  Read more

New BBQ restaurant and Bar opens in place of The Fix

University Boulevard’s resident mac n’ cheese fix has officially vacated the premises, but a new barbecue joint moved in this summer in hopes to establish their name. The Blind Pig, located in Main Gate Square, is a new family-owned barbecue restaurant and bar that offers a dive environment with a variety of dining options. Read more

Odyssey Storytelling, the story of stories

Historic Fourth Avenue is abounding with stories waiting to be found and just around the corner at The Sea of Glass — Center for the Arts, they are told by Odyssey Storytelling. As the first community storytelling event in Arizona, Odyssey Storytelling has a distinguished reputation. But according to Joseph Silins, a volunteer at Odyssey Storytelling, the narratives spun at their events are honest, genuine and human, which sets them apart. Read more

Q&A with military veteran and stand up comedian Bobby Henline

After a decade of being out of the military after serving through Operation Desert Storm, veteran Bobby Henline was inspired to re-enlist after the Sept. 11 attacks. Recovering from an explosion that left severe burns over 38% of his body, he later began to do stand up comedy and was featured in the documentary “Comedy Warriors”, the film “Sophie and the Rising Sun” and the TV series ‘’Shameless”.  Read more

Stick with Audrey, she’ll bring more color into your life

From trendy stickers that people can place on their Hydro Flasks to colorful art prints and cards for people to send their friends, Audrey De La Cruz has turned her personal artwork into crowd favorites with her self-run business, Annotated Audrey Art. Hailing from Los Angeles, De La Cruz was working with English teachers and international students as a program representative at UCLA.  However, she wanted a new work landscape to pursue her passion for art and drawing rather than working a desk job. Read more

Mama Carey's restaurant is full of soul food and family

On the northwest corner of Sixth Street and Park Avenue, Mama Carey’s Kitchen & Catering is where soul food meets family.  The restaurant, which has replaced Wildcat Cafe inside the Metro Wildcat convenience store, is now open for business after its grand opening on Aug. 24. Read more

Q & A with State Poetry Champion and spitting poetry verses

  Edgardo Aguilar, a Tucson native, former Desert View High School student, and now a University of Arizona freshman acquired one more important title this year: ‘2019 Arizona Poetry Out Loud State Champion.’ The Daily Wildcat spoke with Aguilar to discuss his inspirations, his experiences, his thought process behind his poems and his favorite lyrics at the moment. Read more

Laugh and improv with Unscrewed Theater

A quick look at the sign will tell you all you need to know — things just aren’t normal in this theater. At the Unscrewed Theater, currently located at 4500 E. Speedway Blvd., improv-comedy stands tall. Read more