User:Topiltzin

La Cosecha Galeria - Literally translated means, “The Harvest Gallery”, but metaphorically it has a much deeper meaning. To make use of what is available, in the area, the fruit at hand. Instead of looking elsewhere for sustenance, to grow and feed off our own talent. For most of Ohio's history, very few Hispanics settled in the state. In 1900, only four Latinos resided in Cleveland, Ohio, and most of Ohio's major cities claimed similar numbers of Hispanics. The few Latinos in Ohio typically found low-paying jobs in factories or as day laborers, commonly working farmers' fields as migrant laborers. More successful immigrants established businesses that supplied their fellow migrants with traditional Hispanic products. Unlike most other immigrant groups, due to the small number of Hispanics in Ohio, Latinos, for the most part, did not develop distinct communities or neighborhoods in the state's major cities.

Beginning in the 1960s, a surge in Hispanic immigration to the United States occurred. Most Latino immigrants came from Central and South American countries rather than from Spain, hoping for more economic opportunity in the United States. Ohio's Hispanic population soared. By 2006, almost 264,000 Ohioans claimed Latino heritage. This number amounted to 2.3% of Ohio's entire population. Between 1960 and 2006, the heaviest concentration of Hispanic Ohioans occurred in central Ohio. Distinct Latino communities formed in Columbus and other major Ohio cities. Most Hispanics continued to find employment as factory or farm laborers, but several Latinos succeeded in opening successful restaurants and specialty stores. In 2002 the first Latino owned and managed art gallery in the greater Cleveland metropolitan area was born, La Cosecha Galeria (The Harvest Gallery). But it stood for much more; it was an understanding, a union, an opportunity to display an identity. The ability to open the doors to other artists as an outlet to what is possible. Well received by the community, who until then were starved for a place to showcase their culture and artistic abilities. Founded by the vision of 3 artists,

Palin Perez-Jackson (1973-2009) - Born in Cleveland, Ohio and raised in Brooklyn, New York. This trailblazing enterpriser had made art his profession...made it his life.

Gabriel Gonzalez – Was born in Arecibo, Puerto Rico. His family moved to Cleveland, Ohio in 1984, where he grew up on West 25th and Clark. He attended high school at Cleveland School of the Arts and graduated in 1999. Gonzalez continued his education at Ohio University where he studied Art and Photography.

Will “Topiltzin” Sanchez – Born Guillermo Sanchez Jr., in the small town of Adrian, Michigan. Of Mexican decent, he first embraced his culture at a very young age due to his great grandfathers' history of struggle to be recognized as a people. To be accepted both as another citizen of America the society as a whole and to continue the long tradition of revolution of thought in a country born of rebelliousness. One Grandfather fought as a member of the Northern Army led by Poncho Villa. After the war for Mexico, the remaining members were being assassinated one by one. The Poncho Villa ambush of 1923 was the last straw and led to his grandfather taking extreme measures of murder, confiscating the victim’s papers and escaping his fate to the United States. The other spectrum of his heritage leads directly to his great grandfather who rode with Geronimo and his band of rebels against the onslaught of the U.S. Calvary, until the surrender of Geronimo himself.

Aggressive in his approach, world renowned and considered one of the most talented artists of our time, he will be the first to say that to label him as so is naive and belittling to every other artist before him, who has made art their life's work. He has been drawing since childhood and didn't start painting until the turn of the millennium. From the very beginning of becoming more intrigued with art, he has won contest after contest, has had show after show and still doesn't take his genius seriously enough to call it anything but "His little hobby". After the passing of Palin Perez Jackson (1973-2009), it reignited a passion to bring a lasting memorial to the public of one of Cleveland’s most influential artist, entrepreneur and patron of his culture. In 2002 the first Latino owned and managed art gallery in the greater Cleveland metropolitan area was born, La Cosecha Galleria, literally translated, The Harvest Gallery. It stood for much more; it was an understanding, a union, an opportunity to display an identity. The ability to open the doors to other artists as an outlet to what is possible. Well received by the community, who until then were starved for a place to showcase their culture and artistic abilities. It always held a warm place in their heart and a revered memory for those that worked with them. Charity, goodwill, and sincerity, all the pillars of faith and morality, suddenly became much more. These words, when put to the test of deeds become the mantra of innovation. The idea that if one does what is just, then all else is irrelevant. Not a new concept, but few actually willing take on the sacrifice of self and ego to go beyond the nonsense to do what is right. Novel is to live the concept of selflessness.

Nominated for the COSE Business & Innovation Award, named to several boards and on several other endeavors having left a lasting impression on collaborators, allowing him to continue to put us in a place where we can not imagine nor have the ability to comprehend. To create with everyday reality, to plant a seed that nothing is impossible and give a glimpse of the unknown.

Professionally he is just as creative as an experienced Manager in Six Sigma methodology, Quality Engineering, inspector, and lead auditor in all the manufacturing fields within every phase of Quality Assurance and Control. Fiscal agent duties, grant writer, preparing service proposals, fundraising experience and personnel management. Continually improving the innovative approach to better serve the local community, further develop and implement Six Sigma methods into the arts, non-profit, entertainment and small business industries. Encouraging the young artists to express themselves in ways unthought-of previously. Dedicated to the propagation of all art forms, supporting local, international, emerging/established artists and the community arts programs. Now planning an ongoing schedule of exhibits and competitions, and produce editions of wide format of events that focus on the benefit of the artists, local businesses, sponsors, and the social community. Through a cooperative effort involving local businesses and community organizations, the Programs introduced address the following issues in the Metropolitan Area: revenue increase to the affected communities due to historic and current strategies in local small businesses, non-profits, arts and entertainment industries; community involvement in the promotion and implementation of initiatives by local interests in affected communities; providing advanced technical assistance for the implementation of six sigma practices for small businesses and assisting small businesses, non-profits, artists and promoters located in the affected communities, with applications to fundraising, art sales and marketing, including: 1. Funding generation, handling and development practices; 2. Process inefficiencies; 3. Primary revenue streams/associated generation points targeted for reduction opportunities; 4. Review case studies of revenue or opportunities for improvement in document form developed by staff; and 5. Marketing, branding and promotional development; 6. Event management and artistic theme development; 7. Aid in the process of securing capital improvement funding to implement visual arts and creative thinking strategies. To better serve the local community, further develop and implement Six Sigma methods into the arts, non-profit, entertainment and small business industries.

Encouraging the young artists to express themselves in ways unthought-of previously. Dedicated to the propagation of all art forms, supporting local, international, emerging/established artists and the community arts programs. Now planning an ongoing schedule of exhibits and competitions, and produce editions of wide format of events that focus on the benefit of the artists, local businesses, sponsors, and the social community. Through a cooperative effort involving local businesses and community organizations, the Programs address the following issues in the Metropolitan Area: revenue increase to the affected communities due to historic and current strategies in local small businesses, non-profits, arts and entertainment industries; community involvement in the promotion and implementation of initiatives by local interests in affected communities; providing advanced technical assistance for the implementation of six sigma practices for small businesses and assisting small businesses, non-profits, artists and promoters located in the affected communities, with applications to fundraising, art sales and marketing. Areas of our Community have many organizations committed to being partners in the Programs. We define, measure, analyze, improve and control.