• Comment: "Notable Works", "Projects", and "Awards and Grants" are all completely unsourced. Where did that information come from? C F A 💬 17:32, 19 August 2024 (UTC)

Paul S. Flores (born in 1972) is a Mexican and Cuban American artist and youth arts educator recognized for his performance arts focused on transnationalism and citizenship. His work illuminates social inequities and he is well known for integrating collaborative interviews and indigenous healing practices into his creation process. For Flores, art is a conduit for connection, imagination, and social change.

Background

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Raised beside the Mexican border, Flores[1] is a Mexican and Cuban American artist whose art draws from his childhood in Chula Vista, California and delves into the intricacies of the immigrant experience. In childhood, his single mom worked diligently to provide for his family and he looked up to his grandmother as a key figure foundational to his becoming— her example taught him unconditional love and she was the first to throw a baseball back and forth with him.

Before beginning his art career, Flores played professional baseball for the Chicago Cubs in 1992. Three years later, Flores completed his bachelor’s degree in Literature and Writing at the University of California San Diego and later moved to San Francisco, California to pursue his MFA in creative writing at San Francisco State University.

While in his MFA program, Flores started the Los Delicados [2]poetry collective alongside Darren J. de Leon. and Norman Zelaya. Together, the group traveled across the nation to perform poetry and found success because of their distinct Word Descarga style— their journey took them to the doorsteps of many talents like New Orleans/New York City legend Steven Cannon, and US Poet Laureate Juan Felipe Herrera,[3] amongst others. In 2001, the group released “Word Descarga” [4]and their other works have been taught in classrooms across the nation. Also in 1996, Flores confounded Youth Speaks Inc[5]. with writer James Kass who was also his colleague in the MFA program at SFSU. Youth Speaks became the largest youth poetry presenting program in the United States and showcases teen poets from around the world at the annual Brave New Voices: (Inter) National Teen Poetry Slam[6], also seen on HBO.

In 1995 Flores’ grandmother passed away and he returned to her hometown in Havana, Cuba. There, he connected with family members as well as other artists and his travels became a catalyst for many later works like the celebrated docu-theater piece We Have Iré.[7]

To date, Flores’ works have been performed across the nation and abroad in Cuba, El Salvador, and Mexico. Flores has received many awards–inclusive to the PEN award-winning novelist [8]and HBO Def Poetry Slam[9] poet–including the prestigious Doris Duke Performing Artist Award in 2015[10], as well as commissions from various orgs like La Peña Cultural Center, New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Miami Light Project, Creative Capital and the MAP Fund. Today, Flores lives in San Francisco with his children and continues his work as an artist and educator.

Notable Works

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WE STILL BE[11]

Winner of the American Book Award in 2024.[12]

We Have Iré[13]

We Have Iré debuted in 2019 and came together from the collaboration of many talents: the play written by Flores, directed by Rosalba Rolón and with original musical compositions by Yosvany Terry, amongst others[14]. The docu-theater piece spotlights four experiences of migration from Cuba to the United States and follows the protagonists’ journeys as they make their way and find their voices[15]. The bilingual play is woven together by dance sequences, original video footage, spoken word, and the thematic element of Iré—a Yoruban concept that can be understood as the good brought upon oneself when their actions and self are aligned with goodness[16]. At its curtain call, We Have Iré transmits a powerful story of triumph and has won multiple awards since its debut.

PLACAS: The Most Dangerous Tattoo[17]

Written by Flores and directed by Michael John Garcés, PLACAS details one man’s journey to reunite with his family after surviving civil war in El Salvador and navigating a host of other hardships[18]. In response to an anti-immigrant political environment, the Central American Resource Center (CARECEN-SF) commissioned PLACAS to help dispel negative stereotypes surrounding Central American men—propelling forward instead an honest telling of life despite the trials that come with immigration, street violence, and incarceration[19]. To bring the play to fruition, Flores interviewed 100 gang members from the Bay Area, LA, and abroad in El Salvador and also worked in close collaboration with Alex Sanchez, the founder of LA non-profit Homies Unidos and an ex-gang member[20]. PLACAS has since toured nationally and held performances in Central America.

On The Hill: I am Alex Nieto[21]

In March of 2014, four San Francisco police officers opened fire and killed Alex Nieto in the Mission District’s Bernal Heights[22]. As the shockwaves from Nieto’s death reverberated across the city, Nieto’s family and community members came together in mourning and once more, grappled with the reality of police violence—set amidst the landscape of a rapidly changing city due to gentrification. On The Hill holds this collective grief in one hand and brings forth a retelling with the other—utilizing elements of magical realism to challenge Nieto’s death as finite[23]. Through community collaboration and interview-based workshops for audience feedback, On the Hill came to life with sequences of drumming, dance, spoken word, as well as the energy of Loco Bloco’s youth who took on the play’s roles[24].

Projects

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We Have Iré[25]

You’re Gonna Cry[26]

On The Hill: I am Alex Nieto[27]

Along the Border Lies[28]

PLACAS: The Most Dangerous Tattoo[29]

The Chicano Messengers of Spoken Word[30]

Los Delicados Word with Jimmy Biala[31]

Awards and Grants

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Walter & Elise Haas Creative Work Fund “Somos Esenciales / We Are Essential” (2021)[32]

National Association of Latino Arts & Culture (NALAC) Catalyst for Change Award (2020)[33]

Kenneth Rainin Foundation New Program Grant “History Matters in The Mission” (2020)

San Francisco Arts Commission Individual Artist Grant “History Matters in The Mission”  (2020)[34]

Creative Capital Award "We Have Iré” (2019)[35]

SFFILM-Westridge Grant Screenwriting “Placas” (2018)[36]

The California Endowment Healing Through The Arts (FFSJ) “Pilgrim Street" (2018)

National Performance Network Creation Fund "We Have Iré”  (2018)[37]

San Francisco Arts Commission Individual Artist Grant “Pilgrim Street" (2018)[38]

California Arts Council/Artist in Community (Fathers & Families—FFSJ) "Pilgrim Street” (2018)[39]

Headlands Center for the Arts Artist in Residence (2018)[40]

CCI Investing in Artists Award “We Have Iré” (2017)[41]

Walter and Elise Haas Creative Work Fund “We Have Iré” (2017)[42]

MAP Fund “We Have Iré" (2017)[43]

Kenneth Rainin Foundation Theater Arts Grant "On The Hill: I Am Alex Nieto” (2016)[44]

Gerbode Hewlett Theater Commissioning Award “Pilgrim Street” (2015)[45]

NALAC Fund for the Arts Individual Arts Grant “Pilgrim Street” (2015)[46]

Doris Duke Performing Artist Award: Theater (2015)[47]

California Shakespeare Theater/Triangle Lab Artist investigator (2015)

KQED Latino Heritage Local Hero Award, KQED and Union Bank (2014)[48]

The California Endowment Advancing Health Equity Through Arts & Culture "Placas”  (2014)[49]

The California Arts Council Creating Places of Vitality Program “Placas” (2013)[50]

Zellerbach Family Foundation “Placas" (2013)[51]

Walter and Elise Haas Creative Work Fund “Placas” (2012)

National Performance Network Creation Fund “Placas" (2012)

Phyllis C Wattis Foundation “Placas” (2011)[52]

SF Weekly 2011 Best Politically Active Hip-Hop Performance Artist (2011)[53]

National Endowment for the Arts Theater Grant “Placas” (2011)

Center for Cultural Innovation Investing in Artists Round VI “You’re Gonna Cry” (2010)

Theater Bay Area CA$H Grant “You’re Gonna Cry” (2010)

NALAC Fund for the Arts Individual Artist Grant “You’re Gonna Cry” (2010)[54]

Zellerbach Family Foundation/W A Gerbode Foundation Grant “You’re Gonna Cry” (2009)

San Francisco Arts Commission Arts and Communities Grant “Placas”  (2008)[55]

San Francisco Foundation Technology and Changing Demographics Commission, Center for Cultural Innovation (California) Investing in Artists Grant Round III "Representa!” (2008)

Network of Cultural Centers of Color (NCCC) & NPN Artist of Color Residency (2008)[56]



References

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  1. ^ "Paul S. Flores". Paul S. Flores. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
  2. ^ "Los Delicados 25th Anniversary Floricanto". Brava for Women in the Arts. 2021-11-19. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
  3. ^ "Playwright Paul S. Flores' PLACAS: The Most Dangerous Tattoo is Coming to San Diego". San Diego Free Press. 2015-04-17. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
  4. ^ "Los Delicados: Poetas del Sol 25th Anniversary Show - MACLA". Retrieved 2024-06-04.
  5. ^ "Youth Speaks". Youth Speaks. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
  6. ^ "Brave New Voices 2020". Youth Speaks. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
  7. ^ Correspondent, Andrew Gilbert | (2019-05-09). "Afro-Cuban artists' stories emerge in Paul S. Flores' new 'We Have Ire'". The Mercury News. Retrieved 2024-06-04. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  8. ^ "Awards & Award Winners". PEN Oakland. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
  9. ^ InspiredWordNYC (2011-05-11). HBO Def Poetry Star Paul S. Flores @ Mike Geffner Presents The Inspired Word. Retrieved 2024-06-04 – via YouTube.
  10. ^ "2015 Doris Duke Artist Awards". www.dorisduke.org. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
  11. ^ "WE STILL BE: Poems and Performances by Paul S. Flores". El Martillo Press. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  12. ^ "American Book Award winners named". The Columbian. 2024-10-19. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  13. ^ Lopez, Arnaldo J. (2019-09-01). "We Have IRÉ | Tenemos IRÉ". Pregones/PRTT. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
  14. ^ Navas, Danilo (2021-09-14). "Original Cast Recording of 'We Have Iré' to be Released Sep 18 2021". Latin Jazz Network. Retrieved 2024-11-03.
  15. ^ Correspondent, Andrew Gilbert | (2019-05-09). "Afro-Cuban artists' stories emerge in Paul S. Flores' new 'We Have Ire'". The Mercury News. Retrieved 2024-11-03. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  16. ^ "Understanding the Meaning of". mykingsgate.co.za. Retrieved 2024-11-03.
  17. ^ "PLACAS: The Most Dangerous Tattoo (2012) - MACLA". 2012-10-05. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
  18. ^ Hurwitt, Robert (September 11, 2012). "'Placas: Most Dangerous Tattoo' review". SF Gate. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  19. ^ "Performing Arts | Creative Work Fund". creativeworkfund.org. Retrieved 2024-11-03.
  20. ^ "Playwright Paul S. Flores' PLACAS: The Most Dangerous Tattoo is Coming to San Diego". San Diego Free Press. 2015-04-17. Retrieved 2024-11-03.
  21. ^ "On the Hill: I Am Alex Nieto". Brava for Women in the Arts. 2016-10-27. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
  22. ^ Solnit, Rebecca (2016-03-21). "Death by gentrification: the killing that shamed San Francisco". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-11-03.
  23. ^ Noveno, Creo (2016-10-22). "Youth Drama 'On The Hill' Offers Possibilities After Nieto Killing | KQED". www.kqed.org. Retrieved 2024-11-03.
  24. ^ "On the Hill: I Am Alex Nieto". Brava for Women in the Arts. 2016-10-27. Retrieved 2024-11-03.
  25. ^ "We Have Iré: Paul S. Flores – Miami Light Project". miamilightproject.com. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
  26. ^ Wilkins, John (2016-05-09). "Paul Flores' 'You're Gonna Cry' Parallels The Mission in the 1990s with Today | KQED". www.kqed.org. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
  27. ^ "On The Hill: I Am Alex Nieto". Marin Mommies. 2016-09-22. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
  28. ^ Flores, Paul S. (2001). Along the Border Lies. Creative Arts Book Company. ISBN 978-0-88739-478-2.
  29. ^ Morris, Asia (2015-04-14). "PLACAS: THE MOST DANGEROUS TATTOO a Tale of Civil War, Immigration, Deportation, Prison and Street Violence". the Hi-lo. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
  30. ^ "The Chicano Messengers of Spoken Word". storage.googleapis.com. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
  31. ^ "Los Delicados' Podcast Descarga". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
  32. ^ "Paul Flores and Accion Latina | Creative Work Fund". creativeworkfund.org. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
  33. ^ "Paul S. Flores". www.nalac.org/. 2023-05-12. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
  34. ^ "2020 Grantees | San Francisco Arts Commission". www.sfartscommission.org. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
  35. ^ "We Have Iré". Creative Capital. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
  36. ^ "AwardsWatch - Winners announced for Fall 2018 SFFILM Westridge Grants". AwardsWatch. 2018-11-20. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
  37. ^ "2023-2024 Season". Cara Mía Theatre. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  38. ^ "Full Commission - May 7, 2018 - Minutes | San Francisco Arts Commission". www.sfgov.org. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  39. ^ "Pilgrim Street". Z Space. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  40. ^ "Paul Flores - Headlands Center for the Arts". Headlands Center for the Arts -. 2018-02-23. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  41. ^ Center for Cultural Innovation (October 2, 2017). "Press Release: Center for Cultural Innovation Grants Artistic Innovation Awards to Bay Area Performing and Media Artists" (PDF).
  42. ^ "It's Here! We Have Ire Premieres at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts | Creative Work Fund". creativeworkfund.org. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  43. ^ "We Have Iré (MAP 2017)". MAP Fund. 2017-05-22. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  44. ^ "NPN/VAN 2017 Annual Conference in San Francisco, CA". NPN/VAN 2017 Annual Conference in San Francisco, CA. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  45. ^ "Special Awards in the Arts". Gerbode Foundation. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  46. ^ "Paul S. Flores". www.nalac.org/. 2023-05-12. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  47. ^ "2015 Doris Duke Artist Awards". www.dorisduke.org. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  48. ^ Bank, Union. "Union Bank and KQED Honor Two Bay Area Local Heroes during Latino Heritage Month". www.prweb.com. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  49. ^ "Playwright Paul S. Flores' PLACAS: The Most Dangerous Tattoo is Coming to San Diego". San Diego Free Press. 2015-04-17. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  50. ^ "California Arts Council Announces "Creating Places of Vitality" Grant Recipients". California Arts Council. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  51. ^ Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts (Jan 31, 2013). "San Francisco Arts Commission Mid Year Report" (PDF).
  52. ^ "GRANTS AWARDED | The Phyllis C. Wattis Foundation". Wattis. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  53. ^ "Artist Talk | "WE HAVE IRÉ" | MoAD". www.moadsf.org. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  54. ^ "Paul S. Flores". www.nalac.org/. 2023-05-12. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  55. ^ SFAC. "San Francisco Arts Commission: Agency Report on District-BasedProgramming" (PDF). p. 3.
  56. ^ "[Miracle Insider] 'Spanish or English, it's the humanity that shines through.'". groups.io. Retrieved 2024-10-31.