Hispanic Heritage Month

ARIZONA LATIN0 ARTS & CULTURAL CENTER

Founded in 2009, the Arizona Latino Arts and Cultural Center (ALAC) is a coalition of Latino artists and art organizations that celebrates and promotes the Latino presence in Arizona through education and advocacy. ALAC is led by Executive Director Elizabeth Toledo and located in the heart of downtown Phoenix. A first-of-its-kind in Arizona, it serves as a beacon of cultural and artistic expression through art exhibits, film, theater, presentations, lectures, live performances and literary readings.

The history of murals around the world, in the Americas, and in Arizona is presented by muralist artist Laura Thurbon Ortega. Presented on October 6, 2021 to PVCC students and community. Check out her Webex presentation below.

Webex meeting recording title: Murals Presentation - Hispanic Heritage Month 2021
Use the following link: https://maricopa.webex.com/maricopa/ldr.php?RCID=c271664a075849c3579cb634c50d099e and password: 93pZUA2T in order to watch her presentation! Our apologies, it was recorded with low audio quality.

Laura Thurbon Ortega Phoenix, AZ Tel. 480-452-9229 art@laurathurbon.com www.LauraThurbon.com www.LauraThurbon.net

Laura Thurbon Ortega is a well-rounded and seasoned professional with extensive experience in multiple disciplines. With a successful track record working as an artist, a marketer, graphic designer, public relations representative, educator and independent business owner, Laura brings her expansive experience, contemporary marketing skills, project management / coordination, her knowledge of cultural diversity, and applies all these skills as vehicles with which to engage clients and the community. 

Laura’s career has afforded her diverse and exciting opportunities from being the organizer, curator and host of public fund-raising events, Art exhibitions, media events, as wells as being a seasoned art educator, Spanish educator, Personal Trainer, Fine Artist, photographer and muralist. 

In parallel to her professional endeavors, Laura is very active in the community and with philanthropic initiatives. Laura’s passion for community contribution has led her to participate in numerous events and projects through the valley. A few representative projects are listed below:

• City of Scottsdale – Paiute Neighborhood Center – Park Embellishment Artistic Advisor

• Art for Child Crisis Arizona

• St Vincent du Paul – Champion for the Homeless – Planned and painted two large scale murals and participated in numerous events 

• Child Crisis Arizona – Donor of various art pieces for fund raising 

• Harvest Compassion Center - Planned and painted multiple beautification projects for various centers

• The New Foundation – Planned and painted large mural to beautify facility

• Numerous other projects for Churches, Schools, Animal shelters, etc.

Additionally, as a small business owner, she has experience in the fundamentals of client acquisition and retention, financial management and most of all fulfilling her customers’ expectations. 

Laura is creative, energetic, conscientious, resilient, assertive, motivated, and a fast learner with a demonstrated ability to adapt quickly.

• 16 years as a small business owner / operator

• 21 years as lower, middle school and college educator

• 22 years as a professional artist, event coordinator and public relations representative

• Bilingual: English - Spanish

• Well-connected within the AZ community

• Extensive social media presence

Other videos Laura has created on the subject of mural art.