MakIng arT,
Honoring Roots and
Bringing Together
a Community
by Andrea Autry
he modern world has sacs of what was once the Penjamo specialist, Brad Hamilton onto the
T
afforded us many conve- village that SRP helped establish project. Hamilton owns and oper-
niences to help make life for the Yaqui Indians in the 70’s. It ates, Fourth Generation Specialties, a
easier, faster and less reliant was and still is used for ceremonial company that specializes in Venetian
on friends and neighbors. purposes and also to give additional finishes and has recently perfected an
The drawback is that it has concur- access out of the “village” when the all natural finish comprised of a lime-
rently led us further away from the Indian Bend Wash, that backs up to based putty and eight other natural
idea of community. It no longer takes Penjamo, becomes flooded. About 60 ingredients as well as 13 iron oxide
a village, just Google and next day Yaqui families still reside in this area color powders and a beeswax sealer
delivery. But, in the middle of all this after, initially, coming from Mexico in that he used to complete the alleyway
hustle and bustle that has become 1900 to work with SRP in building the walls that, over the next two years
everyday living…there is a village. canals you see today. Penjamo, known will be adorned with photos, mosaics
What remains of the Yaqui Settlement as a “water user’s camp” was estab- and murals. “The alleyway will es-
in a tucked away piece of a South lished for the Yaqui canal builders sentially be a timeline of the history of
Scottsdale neighborhood is having a when their original “camp” in Scotts- the Yaqui tribe,” says Joan Baron. The
renaissance, so to speak. dale near 64th and Osborn became walls will cover the Yaqui’s migration
The Vista Del Camino Commu- unlivable because of flooding itself. from Mexico, through the first settle-
nity Center at 7700 E. Roosevelt St. Kathy Breen, human resources ment in Tucson and finally to Pen-
has undertaken to revitalize and unify manager at Vista Del Camino Commu- jamo. The theme will reflect religious
its neighborhood with the Alleyway nity Center commissioned Joan Baron beliefs, culture and myths like the
Project. This project has set about to manage the project and act as lead “Miracle of the Rose”.
turning a very visible alley with all of artist. Joan is working closely with The importance of this project
its typical accoutrements into a point Yaqui artist and previous Penjamo is two-fold. As the residents volun-
of destination for locals and tour- resident, Mario Martinez, who now teer their time they get out and meet
ists, alike. Historically, this alley has resides in Manhattan and currently each other while working on the alley
always been used for more than just has his work displayed at the Heard walls, bonds are forged that strengthen
typical garbage collection. It is what and Smithsonian Museums. She has the community and the beautification
connects the remaining four cul-de- also brought friend and plastering of the neighborhood increases pride.
22 Phoenix
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