This week on Arizona Illustrated… Toltecalli High School students are building community one meal at a time; artist George Strasburger paints the complexity of the world as he see it; Coyote Task Force is providing opportunities and acceptance for people dealing with serious mental illnesses and Dana Roes’ abstract paintings delve into the essence of human existence.
Toltecalli Feeds Tucson
At Toltecalli High School, students aren’t just learning about their community—they’re actively working to strengthen it. As part of the Community-Based Education (CBE) course, a group of dedicated students will take charge of a food distribution event, providing fresh produce and healthy essentials to local families. More than just an act of service, this initiative gives students hands-on experience in leadership, teamwork, and civic engagement. Through their efforts, they’re not only addressing food insecurity in Tucson but also building a stronger, more connected community—one meal at a time.
George Strasburger
George Strasburger is a Tucson-based artist who grew up in Scranton, PA and was influenced by his blue collar, hardworking neighborhood as well as church murals when he was a child. He frequently focuses on people who are struggling (“on the fringes”) and some of his paintings’ titles include Giving Aid to the Wounded Man, Two Men on A Trail, and The Prisoner. Strasburger has exhibited locally and other cities such as Las Vegas, and Phoenix, and has been awarded for his work including BEST IN SHOW AWARD at the Arizona Artist Guild Exhibition in April 2025.
Coyote Task Force
Emanating beyond the doors of three unassuming store fronts in downtown Tucson, is an extraordinary abundance of love, compassion and community. Nestled on the one-way street of Pennington, these three spaces: Re-Threads, Our Place Clubhouse and Café 54 operate under the umbrella of Coyote Task Force. For the past 30 years they have provided employment-focused training for adults recovering from serious mental illness. It’s here where members come to avoid isolation, gain community and the confidence to re-enter the broader workforce. With recent cuts to Medicaid, their member’s health, safety and quality of life now hangs in the balance.
Reprieve – Dana Roes
Dana Roes, the newly appointed Dean of Arts, held her inaugural exhibition in Arizona at the LC Bernal Gallery, Pima Community College, from January to March 2025. Her abstract paintings delve into the essence of human existence. Much like our journey through life—navigating transitions, embodying resilience, and seeking meaning—Roes’ work explores these themes through introspective layers of color and texture. She strives to capture a sense of energetic tranquility reflecting on the dualities of hope and disappointment. Her paintings are just like our lives. They bear the marks of wounds in in the process of healing, evoking the quiet strength found in persistence and renewal as we continue to live.
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