Fiesta Topeka: The Vibrant History of Fiesta Mexicana
Started in 1933, the Fiesta Topeka, formally Fiesta Mexicana, is a celebration of Hispanic heritage in the Oakland neighborhood in Topeka.
- After 25 years, Fiesta Topeka art show organizer Joey Rocha seeks a successor.
- Rocha hopes the next coordinator will have a strong art background and understand the show’s mission.
- The art show, which features a variety of mediums, has been a staple at Fiesta Topeka since 1999.
Art enthusiasts, new and frequent attendees, event organizers and volunteers have enjoyed the art show at the Fiesta Topeka for many years.
But its longtime organizer, Joey Rocha, is ready to take a step back and enjoy the fiesta a little bit more with friends and family. Volunteering alongside Rocha has been artist Alex Valdivia.
“It could be my last year,” Rocha told The Capital-Journal. “I’m going to try to find somebody to coordinate and take it over. And they can take it over, if they want to and do another 25 (years).”
“I figured 25 years is good,” he said, “and they’ve kind of got an idea of what to do now because this is all type of arts, not just one.”
Different art displayed throughout the years
Rocha said in the early days of the fiesta, older attendees hadn’t seen the type of art on display.
“They can’t go out and about to different places, so once the fiesta comes around, they come and look at the art and they just enjoy it because they’ve never seen any pieces like this,” he said. “Growing up like we did, you see a lot of religious pictures and oil paintings of your grandpas and your grandmas and stuff, so a lot of that is traditional with us, but when you come in here, they see different things that are painted, and they kept coming.”
The art gallery began in 1999 at the then-Tavares Market, then moved to the Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church for three years. It then moved to the Our Lady of Guadalupe Activity Center, 216 NE Branner, where it can be found each day of the fiesta.
Rocha feels the art gets a little overlooked now because of technology, news, fundraisers and more.
“But if you use the arts in your fundraisers, I think that could be a good push because I’m one of those ones that I try to keep the arts in the schools and everything, music, cooking and everything that has to do with art,” he said.
Many of the artists, including himself, are based in Topeka, said Rocha. Artists this year range from 7 to 80 years old. Typically, he knows the artists who are involved, but those who are new and interested just give him a call and he takes a look at their work and what they plan to display to make sure they follow the guidelines of Our Lady Guadalupe activity center.
Lino Anguiano, a 20-year-old Topeka native, has his art displayed in this year’s gallery. He is displaying 10 pieces from his new series dubbed “One with Nature.” He said having his art displayed means a lot to him.
“It’s my Hispanic heritage, so being able to support the fiesta is always nice,” said Anguiano.
Someone who knows artistry to be coordinator successor
Rocha said if no one comes around, he’ll be around as the coordinator for another year, and no matter what, he’ll most likely always be involved in the art.
But his successor must be one who knows artistry and understands its goal at the fiesta.
He said if they could get someone from Washburn University, or a high school art instructor, or just someone with a strong sense of artistry and background, that would be best. When he first began, schools and districts were looking to cut programs in art, so it was his mission to make sure artists had a space to display their talent, he said.
“As a curator, I try to cover all bases, and I love color,” Rocha said. “So, some years I get different ideas and until all the works in here, then I kind of know where to place them.”
Those who may be interested in the coordinator role can email Rocha at Rochaartista@gmail.com.
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