The Life and Tunes of Arturo Flores, October 5 in the Dodge Gallery. The opening was well attended by Museum Society members, partners and special guests, including the family of Arturo Flores. The event was co-sponsored by WILL (Western Institute for Lifelong Learning) along with LULAC (League of United Latin American Citizens), and was presented for the first time to the public in a mural format, which was well-received by all in attendance.
The mural format supports a chronological timeline spanning Arturo’s rich and interesting life, from his childhood in Santa Rita, to serving in the U.S. Navy, his life and work as a miner and labor organizer, both regionally and nationally, and finally as an artisan in his later years when he enjoyed wood carving. Flores chronicled the 1952 Empire Zinc Mine Strike from the front-line perspective of a striker rather than casual observer, and his photographs are presented as part of the exhibit. This extensive collection of black-and-white images from this epic struggle for workers’ rights reveals everyday moments from the 15-month strike; the frustration and solidarity of the strikers, as well as sporadic moments of calm, play and laughter. Flores’ collection is on loan to the museum from his son, Lorenzo Flores, who attended the exhibit opening with his son, Joe, and daughter, Justeen. The event kicked off with speeches by Museum Director Bart Roselli, Curator Javier Marrufo, as well as members of the Flores family. Providing music for the evening was flamenco guitarist Farhad Arasteh, and hors d’oeuvres were provided by Little Toad Creek Brewery and Distillery.
The Life and limes of Arturo Flores exhibit runs through the spring. Visitors are encouraged to use their smart phones to scan QR codes found throughout the exhibit, which provide recordings of Arturo Flores telling his life story in his own words. For more information, please contact Javier Marrufo, museum curator, at (575) 597-0229, or curator@silvercitymuseum.org.
