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Life casts can be a powerful tool for self-exploration, says Paul Weir, a key organizer of Tucson's annual All Souls Procession.

Behind the Mask

Also on Arizona Spotlight: A plea on behalf of sacred lands threatened by border wall construction; and a sincere thank you to comic book legend Dennis J. O'Neil.
Tucson candlelight vigil for George Floyd, held at the Dunbar Center on June 1st, 2020.

Adiba Nelson asks “What will it take for America to understand the pain of Black women?”

Also on Arizona Spotlight: Preserving the hidden history of one of Tucson's oldest Black communities; SpaceX launches a new era in space travel; and - was Speedway Boulevard ever really the ugliest street in America?
In his book "At the Center of All Beauty: Solitude and the Creative Life", Fenton Johnson uncovers what role did solitude play in the lives of famous writers, thinkers and artists.

"At the Center of All Beauty": Author Fenton Johnson on the connection between solitude and creativity

Also on Arizona Spotlight: How a DNA test revealed a sensitive family secret; and essays from two young women about the changes the COVID-19 pandemic has brought to their lives.
A scene from the film "DUSTWUN", written and directed by Genevieve Anderson.

DUSTWUN - A film about life, death & trust on the U.S. / Mexico border.

Also on Arizona Spotlight: How Imago Dei Middle School is building community with food; and - can a borderlands hotel that has survived a century endure the COVID-19 pandemic?
The exterior of Reunion House, an emergency shelter in Tucson for 12- to 17-year-olds.

Pandemic increases need for youth emergency shelter

Staff say more kids need a safe place as stress, unemployment and domestic violence increase during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Alex Ciavarelli and Rudy Marquez are the acoustic swing duo The Django Shredders.

Spotlight Session: The Django Shredders take classic Gypsy jazz to the next level.

Also on Arizona Spotlight: How a food bank in Phoenix is offering assistance to as many as 8 families every 90 seconds.
Adiba Nelson with her daughter Emory.

“'Rona needs to stay away!”: How a single mother stays resilient.

Also on Arizona Spotlight: Free meals for our community; and an interview with César Cuauhtémoc García Hernández, author of "Migrating to Prison: America's Obsession with Locking Up Immigrants".
A cross atop the Saint Augustine Cathedral in Tucson, June 2017.

Funeral home adapts, scales back ceremonies amid COVID-19 outbreak

How the pandemic is changing long-held traditions and rituals.
Handmade masks made by Robyn Pomonis during the COVID-19 pandemic in April 2020.

Tucsonans hear Banner Health's call for homemade masks

The Banner Health Foundation hopes to receive 100,000 "social comfort masks" for employees not working with COVID-19 patients.
The sign for Sister José Women's Shelter, 2017.

Tucson homeless shelter for women adapts services during outbreak

Sister Jose Women's Center has suspended some activities and closed its shelter to new residents but is still providing food.
Produce from one of the vendors at the Heirloom Farmers Markets at Rillito Park.

How Farmers Markets are surviving - and evolving - during the pandemic.

Also on Arizona Spotlight:The Arts Foundation makes emergency relief grants available to local artists; a conversation with food writer & former EMT Jane Stern; and a short story from Aurelie Sheehan.
Surrounded by city and county officials, Pima County Supervisors Chairman Richard Elías and Tucson Mayor Regina Romero speak to reporters at a March 9, 2020 news conference about the local response to the spread of the novel coronavirus, which causes COVID-19.

Remembering Richard Elías

Tucson Mayor Regina Romero calls Elías' death a 'huge loss.'
Businesses like Creative Juice painting studio are adapting to distancing measures put in place to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Painting studio moves online as COVID-19 forces businesses to close or evolve

The 8-year-old Creative Juice is offering free classes on Facebook, as many businesses adapt to closures and distancing measures.
John Coinman in the desert.

Spotlight Session: John Coinman

Also on Arizona Spotlight: how to build community resilience in the midst of the crisis.
"The Decameron" by Franz Xaver Winterhalter.

What "The Decameron", a Medieval Italian masterpiece, can tell us about life during a pandemic.

Also on Arizona Spotlight: Why a Tucsonan named Taylor chose to get involved in the conflict in Syria; and Frank Figliuzzi speaks on putting Taylor's story in context with U.S. foreign policy.
Douglas, Arizona, 2017.

Border residents brace for change with approach of closure to nonessential travel

Both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border in Douglas were left wondering what comes next as the Friday night restriction neared.

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