Tag Archives: Monthly Artist Feature

BICAS Featured Artist AMG

Interview with BICAS Artist Asha Greyeyes

December 2020

BICAS Staff Artist AMG

Available on Etsy

I am from Northern Arizona, on the Navajo Reservation. I have been making things since I was a little kid and my sisters got me into jewelry making in high school. When I first started making jewelry, it was to sell to tourists who visited our area. I really enjoyed making things that were slightly different from the stuff we made to sell and when I think that really contributed to my liking of using bike parts to make jewelry. I personally really like making earrings, they are dangly and eye catching. I’d say I look at stuff that intrigues me then I just start trying to add to it. It starts off with one eye catching piece and I just try to accent or compliment something that’s already so beautiful or interesting.

Available on Etsy

I began at BICAS as a customer. My love for making things with my hand translated well into working with my hands on a bike. I now work at BICAS and still love working on bikes because once you understand how it works, your hands can just do it themselves. Plus the feeling of accomplishment is immediate, which I like.

Yoo’ disxosih by AMG.

I donate to the art auction because I like to make jewelry and I wanna help the place I work. I think being able to use my creativity is a real plus side when helping a cause. I really like the auction pieces that mimic nature. The bike part animals and cactus always get me. I think it works into that love I have for paying tribute or complimenting things that are already so beautiful.

I have no other place I sell or promote my work. They are only available at the BICAS Art Auction but if I ever do decide that, it will probably be how other indigenious artists do today. Instagram, USPS delivery and a payment app.

Dzidze’ doo nizhoni yoo’ by AMG

Look for AMG’s art work and handmade jewelry on the BICAS Etsy page and in the Staff Mini-Auction up on EBAY

BICAS Salvage Mask by Tucson Artist Racheal Rios

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic this May 2020, our allstar friend and colleague Racheal Rios created and shared a playful, unique mask on her Instagram each day. Some were made of all-natural materials, some edible, and some made of salvaged items, all on her page at @rachealrios. Check out this mask made of all BICAS art parts that she created this past week! We love Racheal’s work and how it supports our mission of creative upcycling. Make your own BICAS salvage crafts by visiting the ‘SALVAGE’ section of our online shop at etsy.com/shop/bicasart, going live June 1, for usable bike craft parts, craft kits and more. Stay safe, everybody.

May 2020 Featured Artists: Racheal Rios & Rebecca Zapien

As community artists, have you had the chance to be involved with BICAS art? If so, in what capacity?

In the past we’ve only really been involved with BICAS art through the annual auction. Racheal has donated art work and Rebecca has volunteered time. We always love to go to the auction.

What are your favorite memories of time spent at BICAS?

The auction is always a good time. Over the years BICAS has been a rad and essential resource for all things bikes. Fixing, buying learning— all the bike things.

Given the current COVID-19 pandemic, how does the work you’re doing now tie in to BICAS’ vision of empowered and sustainable Tucson communities?

We can draw similarities in the sense that we both want to see overlooked parts of the community thrive. Right now the examples of mutual aid happening in Tucson is really inspiring and what keeps us all grounded and help us moving forward.

What are you working on during the pandemic?

Right now we are reworking some of the things we made originally for the show at UA art museum. The shows are really amazing and focus on the border and the art program in the prison. Maybe as things evolve with social distancing people will be able to see the show again or perhaps it will be made accessible in a whole new way. The bandanas and tote we made for that show seem to have an entirely new meaning now with all the stuff going on and it seemed like a good time for us to work with what we have and find new ways to support people. That’s exciting in the sense that we are constantly revisiting and reworking what we do. We are starting a new bandana now and looking to do another print. It always feels a little tricky to figure out what people might respond to but since we both have strong opinions once we get to the point of agreeing on things it usually turns out.

What projects of yours are you excited about?

Just like everyone else right now, we’ve had to stop and regroup. We had some really great projects planned with different poets and artists that are creating bodies of work around mass incarceration and that has come to a complete stop. We look forward to everything we do because we have the luxury to not have expectations or guidelines dictated by anyone outside ourselves which on some days is enough. We don’t know that excited is what we might call it at this moment but we are grateful to be able to see what comes out of this as things crumble.

Racheal and Rebecca can be contacted through their website, https://www.rryrz.org, or Instagram, instagram.com/rr_y_rz.

BICAS Artist Gavin Troy

March 2020 Artist Feature: Gavin Troy, Tucson artist and longtime friend of BICAS

Artists Gavin Troy and Pasqualina Azzarello in the founding days of BICAS. Gavin and Pasqualina painted many of the iconic images outside BICAS’ original building.

Gavin, how did you first get involved with BICAS?

I met (BICAS founder) Kim Young at Gentle Strength Co-op in Tempe before BICAS was founded. We became good friends and kept in touch when she moved to Tucson- I visited her when she first began working for what would eventually become BICAS. When BICAS had its first art auction Kim invited me to show a piece and BICAS has not stopped inviting me since. I moved here in 1998 from Tempe and eventually rented my first art studio above BICAS. Super fun times back then, and I love contributing art towards fundraising to support BICAS.

When Gavin Troy’s studio was above the original BICAS location, he painted a dreamy blue desertscape leading to the BICAS entrance.

What are some of your most cherished memories with BICAS?

In1998, moving into the building above where BICAS was located W. 6th street, life was amazing and the building was buzzing with creative people. It was a hub for all the creative folks here, Flam Chen, Barbara Williams African drum class, BICAS, and many visual artists along with welders and other creative beings were all in one area. The place was electric with creative energy.

: Gavin’s work at the old BICAS entrance on W 6th Street.

: Gavin’s work at the old BICAS entrance on W 6th St.

What are you working on currently?

Being with my (almost 9 year old son), gardening with him, going on bike rides, working in the studio on paintings, riding the skateboard, posting up paintings on social media to share with others around the world, sending love and good vibrations.

“It is important during these times to go within, find ones’ center, and let go.”

How would you describe the importance of art in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic?

The focus of my work, first and foremost is the inner journey as a way to reflect and be in this world, to open up and create from this inner center. Then, sharing this work with the community. This form of self discovery has been an amazing way to heal, learn and grow. The hours of focused time painting are a blessing. It is important during these times to go within, find ones’ center, and let go. The main point is being creative in whatever form this may take and sharing that. I am thankful for the gifts of inner work and creative viewpoint.