Downtown Art Walk is today
Local artist coping with illness, to display works at North End Art Walk
An early-1900s painting and a contemporary pop song inspired Jose Arguelles to return to art and helped him cope with a life-changing illness.
The 26-year-old’s inspiration will be on display when he shows off his works at the Yuma Art Center on Friday during the 11th annual North End Art Walk. This year, the Art Walk will bring together over 80 artists and friends in Yuma’s historic downtown. Merchants in the area will open their doors to artists throughout the community for the event, which takes place from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday.
Arguelles, a 26-year-old local artist who is currently taking classes at Arizona Western College, will have his works on display at the event — as will many other artists.
The young portrait artist said he primarily works in acrylics. Though he is now engrossed in his artwork, Arguelles said his life was interrupted after he became ill.
“I had gotten sick with schizophrenia when I was 17 and I just sort of dropped out of life,” he said. “I didn’t mean to. I really loved scholastic things.”
Though he has always been inspired by churches and prayer, he said, it was not until three years ago when he came across “The Golden Woman” painting by Gustav
Klimt and Lady Gaga’s music video “Bad Romance” that he felt inspired to become involved with art again.
Arguelles said he began by creating portraits of his “followers” on the social media site Instagram. He noted he was introduced to the local art scene by Lia Littlewood, another local artist who is participating in Art Walk.
“The portraits took on a life of their own,” Arguelles said. “Lia Littlewood, she contacted me and invited me to join this group called Yuma Artists United.”
In addition to Arguelles, various artists who range from photographers to sculptors will display their pieces and sell their works during the event.
“We have lots of new artists this year and some returning favorites,” said Judy Phillips, one of the event organizers. “The event will be featuring artists and the businesses, but the people that come down, it’s like a gathering. It’s a festive Yuma evening with a theme of art.”
Coincidentally, she added, this year’s Art Walk will begin at the same time that Romer Beverage of Yuma is bringing the iconic Budweiser Clydesdale horses to historic downtown at 5 p.m.
“They will kind of kickstart Art Walk unofficially,” she chuckled.