At TMA, we take an expansive view of what an art museum might offer in addition to the artwork on exhibit. That mindset has led to a recent reimagining of our Goodman Pavilion galleries, which are located in our historic Edward Nye Fish House. If you visit during the month of August, you will be able to make art in our Creative Space, which is open all year; learn about our museum’s historic first 100 years in our History Gallery; and experience a temporary grocery store in our Community Gallery.

     A grocery store in an art museum? This temporary August 1 First Thursday pop-up installation by Chinese Chorizo Project’s Feng-Feng Yeh, entitled Vivamos Siempre Como Hermanos, reinforces our museum’s mission to promote cultural connections and expand knowledge about Tucson’s heritage through our community programming.

     The Chinese chorizo, which is a Chinese/Mexican fusion of meat and spices, flourished in over 100 Chinese grocery stores located in South Tucson by the 1950s. This culinary pairing exemplifies an immigrant initiative and a timely reminder of solidarity between communities to benefit the whole. It is worth remembering that more than 5,000 Chinese migrated into the Arizona territory between 1877 and 1883 to work on the Southern Pacific railroad line that ran from Yuma to Tucson and beyond.

     Projects made in our popular Summer Youth Art Camp students will be on display after the Chinese Chorizo project has moved on.

     As TMA looks forward to beginning its next century of service, one core value that will surely endure will be acting as a responsive, community-centered museum, which strives to represent, activate, and advocate for Tucson’s increasingly diverse population.