The Owner's Story
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My name is Desmond Chambers. I am a Jamaican born and raised. At the age of 11 my family moved to the US. I have 7 sons and 2 daughters. I am happily married and enjoy my life. I work hard and love people.
Owner's Connection To GR, Thoughts on Liberation, Reclamation
Connection to GR: I am a small business owner here in the city of GR. I love to serve and communicate with the people of my community.
Liberation: Having a choice whenever there are 2 sides to something.
Reclamation: I support and appreciate reclamation when done right with minimal impact on the environment/community. I support reclamation if it’s truly designed to create opportunities to improve our community for people to thrive. I do not support the cause if it involves disrupting the community, inflicting harm, or getting rid of existing community partners.
About the Artist
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Arturo:
Arturo Morales Romero was born in Mexico in the state of Guerrero in a town called Tepetixtla. He found his passion for the arts at the age of five while playing in the water where the pebbles of different colors melted and mixed between my feet while he was stepping on them since then he has used color to express himself to the world. In 2014 his wife Erika, my son Eloy, Emiliano, and daughter Pilar move to Grand Rapids Michigan. His ArtPrize entries in 2016, 2017, 2021 were featured at Lindo Mexico and Mexo. In 2022 he completed his largest mural at Supermercado Mexico. Now he is happy to call GR home, his inspiration for the mural downtown GR with the title of Aztlan (Land of Dreams) which shows his pride in who he is & where he lives.
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Rryuhn:
Creating is my offering. Whether it is therapeutic, economic, recreational or strategic. These commodities are conceived as gifts, not talent. Every piece, concept, and approach are ways of expression through many shapes, hues, and principles. These gifts are solely translated through my God, at which I give thanks. Who Am I: One who is capable of affable, visual fortitude. I create with these intentions to relate and challenge my audience to not only see, but feel the essence of my subjects. My sole hopes are to reunite my audience with a quality viewing experience that will form honor amongst us.
ARTIST'S CONNECTION TO GR, THOUGHTS ON LIBERATION, RECLAMATION
Arturo:
Liberation to me means freedom from oppression from our mind, body and soul from people that set limitations on us.
Reclamation to me means claiming back our culture, art, history, lost knowledge from our ancestors, and claiming back our pride.
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Rryuhn:
My Connection to Grand Rapids: Jon MacDonald. Sherman and Nancy K Poppen. These beings allowed me to experience optimal experiences within the fine qualities of the lawless act. Jon showed me how to see shapes and identify with color with purpose. I would be here without the opportunities and teachings.
From: Originally from Muskegon MI. Transitioned to Grand Rapids for growth and education.
Liberation: For me is freedom of self, circumstance. Forming relief while building hope, creating space for refinement and self-betterment.
Reclamation: mindfully, yet skillfully reasserting true ownership.