Donated to History Colorado by Emanuel Martinez.
As a teenager, Emanuel Martinez spent time in a juvenile detention center where he first learned to express himself creatively. While there he discovered that art could be a way for him to channel his frustration and improve Denver's Five Points Neighborhood where he lived. Martinez began his career as an artist at the age of thirteen, when he painted his first mural. He began his activism at the age of 15 joining the Los Voluntarios in East Denver and later was a founding member of the Crusade for Justice (membership card-Item #1), with his wife Soledad Trejo Martinez. Emanuel, Soledad and other members left the Crusade for Justice in early 1969 due to unethical practices in the organization. But Emanuel and Soledad continued their organizing and activism in the La Alma neighborhood where they resided until 1973. During their activism, they collected many posters, buttons, and stickers. Emanuel Martinez worked and created art for distinct Movements during the Civil Rights Movement in California (Cesar Chavez), New Mexico (Reyes Lopez Tijerina-the Land Rights-Movement), and Colorado (Crusade for Justice and the La Alma Neighborhood movement) from 1966-1976.
Primarily painting community murals in under-served communities like the one Emanuel grew up in, he has dedicated himself to helping other youth find their own passion for the arts. His art education includes workshops with world renowned artists and sculptors including David A. Siquieros and Francisco Zuniga. Since establishing a studio in 1968, Martinez has received international acclaim and prestigious awards for his design capabilities and high standards of workmanship. Some of his works are part of the permanent collection in the Smithsonian National Museum of American Art in Washington D.C., the Museum of Modern Art in Mexico City, and other museum collections. He has been featured in over 300 newspaper/magazine articles and 37 published books, including a book written on his art career entitled: “Emanuel Martinez: A Retrospective”. Information from artist's website: http://emanuelmartinez.com