Danzantes Unidos is deeply appreciative of the return of Festival Artist, Lalo Garcia for the creation of the 45th Anniversary festival logo.

Born in La Cieneguita, a small rancho in the state of Michoacan, Mexico, and raised since the age of 13 in the San Fernando Valley, north of downtown Los Angeles, celebrated artist Lalo Garcia has spent 35 years immersed in the world of art.

Garcia’s love for his native culture combined with his faith and commitment to preserving the folklore of Mexico are reflected in his unique compositions. Garcia’s work has been permanently placed in sacred spaces throughout Los Angeles and the United States. Currently, Garcia is one of eleven commissioned artists selected by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles to create artwork for the Los Angeles Cathedral of the Angels, a major historic landmark.

In addition to the downtown Cathedral, Garcia’s sacred art has been placed at Saint Bernardine of Siena in Woodland Hills CA, St. Helen’s Church in South Gate CA; at Our Lady of Peace in North Hills CA; and at St. Jane de Chantal in North Hollywood, CA.

His personal art pieces have been exhibited in galleries and museums throughout the United States, Mexico, and Spain. Lalo has been the featured artist at the Casa de la Cultura in Las Cruces, New Mexico; Casa de la Cultura in Fresno, CA; and most recently at the Archdiocese of Los Angeles Religious Education Congress in Anaheim CA. Traveling juried exhibits include CIVA’s (Christians in the Visual Arts) Highly Favored Contemporary Images of the Virgin Mary, and SEEDS Fine Art Exhibits, “Dawn to Dawn” and “Succou-The Gift of Support and Solace.”

Garcia was previously the in-house artist/designer for Martinez & Murphy, Inc. of Los Angeles, a liturgical arts and sacred environment company. He designed such special works as the vestments and miters of Pope John Paul II as well as designing all 350 Roman Catholic bishop’s vestments for the Pope’s visit to Los Angeles. Garcia has also designed the vestment worn by his Beatifude, Metropolitan Theodosius and other Hierachies in Russia on the occasion of the millennium of Christianity in 1988.

Garcia has also worked as a principal artist consulting on numerous cultural arts programs and events for communities throughout Southern California. He has led workshops for children and adults on behalf of the Autry National Museum, the Southwest Museum, Dia de los Muertos, Let’s Go Green, Healthy Kids, Healthy Planet, Mexican Independence Day, Cinco de Mayo, and Our Lady of Guadalupe Feast Day.

His work can also be found in many private collections, and his commercial work can be seen in books, product logos, CD covers, and various publications.

In previous years, Garcia founded the dance company, Grupo Folklorico Fiesta Mexicana in the city of San Fernando, California. As a director and choreographer, he performed throughout the United States and Mexico, including a tour with Linda Ronstadt’s “Canciones de mi Padre” as well as her tour of “Mas Canciones.”

Garcia has been featured in numerous publications and is often seen on Univision Channel 34 and on Telemundo discussing art, history, and cultural events.

You can view his current gallery and learn more about Lalo Garcia on his website: www.LaloGarcia.com