ABOUT THE PROJECT
Pink Place: An Immersive Color Field InstallationProject Description“Pink Place” is an immersive, color field installation featuring a sequence of monochromatic set designs in countless shades of pink and red. Debuting at the 2024 Saint Arnold’s Christmas Market (hosted by Shop Local), the installation’s structure mimics the historic, domestic architecture of traditional shotgun houses. This intimate, residential setting serves as a backdrop for a powerful exhibition of photographs and narrative stories celebrating five accomplished Latina women from Houston's Northside. These women were honored for their deep community contributions and their role in inspiring generations of Latina women.
The multi-sensory experience also featured:
"Árboles de Flor" (Blooming Tree): A collaborative geometric sculpture.
Art in the Heart Bus: A dedicated space providing free holiday ornament craft-making workshops.
Pink Christmas Selfie Backdrop: An interactive photo-op for market visitors.
Live Music: Festive performances by the Jonn Del Toro Richardson Bandand theEric Demmer Band.
SCULPTURE AND PUBLIC WORKSHOPS
Created by the Art Unitiartist team, “Blooming Tree” (Árboles en Flor)is a striking 10-foot-tall geometric sculpture. The piece incorporates community engagement through two free autumn painting workshops held at the Art in the Heart Trick-or-Treatevent and the Northside Jensen Jubilee. During these events, the public was invited to hand-paint wooden botanical medallions, which the artist team later integrated into the final sculpture.
LEAD ARTISTS AND COLLABORATORS
Tami Moschioni & Jennifer Claussen: Co-designers of the room sets and lead painters of the sculpture.Bob Alexander: Master woodcraftsman instrumental in the technical assemblage, engineering, and transportation of the project.
The Northside Women featured in Pink Place:
Etelvina Hernández:
Etelvina Hernández Etelvina’s story inspired both Art Uniti’s Pink Place and Castaneda’s “Women of Northside choreography! Etelvina Hernández, born September 1929 in the state of Michoacán but raised in Mexico City, migrated to the United States after her marriage to Korean War veteran Eusebio Hernandez Etelvina the mother of 6 children was a woman of strong faith and when the Mary Kay opportunity was presented to her. she said YES! She was spiritually drawn to the company’s philosophy of God 1st, Family 2nd and Career 3rd. This aligned with her personal values and as a pioneer in the Spanish speaking community. Etelvina often said: “I am taking this product and opportunity to my people”. She began her career as an Ind. Beauty Consultant and was recognized as theNational Queen of Personal Sales on 3 separate occasions. She did not speak English, and training in her native Spanish language was not available. She did not drive a vehicle. Her determination and entrepreneurial spirit lead her to tackle this obstacle and learn how to drive. She forged on to become a member of the Top 1 % in all of Mary Kay earnings and had the use of 10 Career Cars including the famous Mary Kay Pink Cadillac and was appointed the position of Executive Senior Sales Director.
Rosemary Saucillo:
First Hispanic female Judge in Houston and First Hispanic female Municipal Court Judge for the City of Houston.
She was successful in saving and preserving one of Houston’s historic cemeteries (Magnolia Cemetery) in a lawsuit to maintain and not disturb burial grounds within the cemetery(1968).
She would becomethe first Hispanic female Judge in Houston and the First Hispanic female Municipal Court Judge for the City of Houston.
She would be recognized be various individuals and organizations (Barbar Jordan, Former House Representative, and Fred Hofheinz, Former Mayor of Houston, League of United Latin American Citizens – LULAC District 8, and the Texas Bar Association among others). She would maintain her judgeship for over 10 years (1973 –1983).
Elsa Garcia:
She is a Mexican-American Tejano singer and producer from Houston, Texas. She has had four albums certified gold, and was nominated for a Grammy Award in 1991 for her album, "Simplemente".
Pink Place is honored to include a Latina trail blazer, Elsa Garcia. Sheis a Mexican-American Tejanosinger and producer from Houston, Texas. She has had four albums certified gold, and was nominated for a Grammy Awardin 1991 for her album, Simplemente.
Born on January 19, 1954, in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Elsa would go on to make music history and break down barriers with an impact that still lives on to this day. She was only a year old when her family immigrated to the United States. Elsa's roots took hold in Houston, TX, where her future musical legacy was foreshadowed by the nurturing of her mother, singer Hermelinda Escamilla (known as "Linda La Nortena"), who toured with legendary singers like Las Hermanas Huerta and Vicente Fernandez.
Before making Tejano music history, Elsa worked as an accountant in a bank then as a successful DJ & Talk show host of "La Puerta Abierta" on radio KYST then "La Voz Del Pueblo" on La Tremenda 1010.Upon embarking on her own musical journey, Elsa defied industry norms by earning four consecutive Gold Albums/CDs– an unparalleled and unheard of feat, especially in a male-dominated industry and genre. She produced and arranged the music for her records while working with California producer Bob Gallarza.
During 1984, Elsa and her husband created the group"Elsa Garcia & Co." whomrecorded the album "Yo Nunca Pensé" with the local label Petro City, produced by "El Pocho Loco,” Jesse Alvarado. Finally, in 1986, they signed with the local label PUMA Records, with whomthey released the album "Fresh". In 1987, a new album entitled "Olvidémonos" was released. In 1988, they released the album "Qué Piensas" and finally, in 1989, they released the album "Ella,” this being their last with PUMA Records. That same year, Elsa Garcia released her debut album with EMI "Simplemente,” which was a bestseller. She had singles such as "Déjame En Paz,” "No Sé,” and "Tú,”which shepresented in all the local television programs. The album earned her a Grammy nomination for Best Latin Album.
In 1991, she released the album "Ni Más, Ni Menos,” another success for the group, and in 1992 the album "Pasión" came out. Elsa and the group began to gain more fame and more fans, so in 1993, they released "Escápate" which doubled the success of the past and included songs like "Lo Que Nunca Vas a Olvidar" by Beto Ramon, "Te He Prometido,” by Leo Dan. In 1995, she released "Diez" and that same year recorded her first “live" album on Mother's Day on May 10th in downtown Houston and also at the market square in San Antonio, TX. Each of her albums were also produced by Elsa herself.
Her place as Tejano royalty was truly cemented in the mid 90s with her notable tribute to Selena at the Houston Astrodome in 1995, the mayor of Houston declaring October 24th as “Elsa Garcia Day” in 1996, and even her own Barbie doll, the first Barbie of a Tejano/Regional music singer being released in the same year. She also released a new studio album titled "Como Tú y Yo", releasing songs like "El Rodeo" and "Me Duele.”
Then, in 1998, she released what would be her last studio album to date, homonymously titled "Elsa,” with songs that became indispensable in her career such as "Como Tú y Yo", "Por Debajo de la Mesa" by Armando Manzanero and Jorge Massias.After this album, EMI continued to release compilations such as "Tejano All Stars,” "Puro Tejano Gold: Las Divasde la Música Tejana,” "15 de Colección,” "Original Masters,” "Serie Verde,” among others.
After being nominated for consecutive years at the Tejano Music Awards, in 2012 she earned the prestigious "Lifetime Achievement Award.” Even after creating a career for the ages, the journey and the story continues for Elsa Garcia.In November 2023, she was awarded the prestigious "Lifetime Achievement Award" in San Antonio, TX at the Guadalupe Awards. In December 2023, Elsa announced her appearance at the 2024 Nortex Musical Festival, marking the return of a legendary figure in Tejano music, a trailblazer for female artists, and a true musical pioneer.
Silvia Trevino:
Silvia Trevino is a Harris County Constable, Precinct 6
We are honoring Constable Silvia Trevino for being one of the early female cadets graduating from the Houston Police Police Academy and forging a second career as a grandmother to become an elected constable with numerous accolades. Constable Silvia Trevino is a 37-Year Law Enforcement Officer with a Master Peace Officer Certification.
She is a second-generation Precinct 6 Houstonian who was born and raised in Precinct 6 by two hardworking parents, also from Precinct 6. Her dad was a truck driver and a member of the Teamsters Union for over 35 years, and her mom was a sales clerk. Constable Silvia Trevino was born off Liberty Road and Ralston. Her father called the area El Crisol; her mom called it La Colonia Villa; some people today refer to it as part of the Fifth Ward. Nevertheless, years later they moved to the Northside area, off Collingsworth and Robertson, just down the street from Moody Park. Silvia attended Looscan Elementary, Marshall Middle School, and is a proud graduate of Jeff Davis High School, renamed Northside High School. While still in high school, Silvia met the Love of her life while they were both working after school at Nat Pacini’s Grocery Store, located at the corner of Lockwood and Liberty Road, which is now a skating rink. Victor attended Stephen F. Austin High School and worked in the meat market; Silvia attended Jeff Davis High School and was a cashier. Shortly after graduation, they married and settled in the Precinct’s East End where they raised their three children and have resided there for the past 40 years.Inspired by her husband’s law enforcement career, while raising three small children, Constable Silvia Trevino joined the Houston Police Department.
In a class of 70 cadets, Silvia was one of only 6 females and 64 males who graduated from the Houston Police Academy. She spent 16 years patrolling the streets of Houston, and 5 years serving as one of HPD’s Public Information Officers. Silvia retired from the Houston Police Department after serving 21 years with Honor.Silvia wanted to continue serving her community but in a different capacity. She came out of retirement and ran for Precinct 6 Harris County Constable in 2016, where she won without a runoff against four male opponents! Constable Silvia Trevino made HER STORY by becoming the First Latina Constable in Harris County, the third largest county in the U.S., but more importantly, the first Grandma Constable in Harris County.
Rebecca C. Renya:
Rebecca C. Reyna is the Executive Director of the Greater Northside Management District and a Native Houstonian. We we are honoring Rebecca, for her advocacy for community thru capital improvements and the arts promoting safety and wellness.
We are honoring Rebecca, for her advocacy for community thru capital improvements and the arts promoting safety and wellness.Native Houstonian Rebecca C. Reyna is the Executive Director of the Greater Northside Management District,in the same Northline community where she grew up as a daughter of a small business owner. Fun fact her mom taught at Robert E. Lee Elementary (Castillo Community Center). A product of Houston ISD schools and graduate from Texas A&M –Corpus Christi. She holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Houston.
A former employee of Harris County and a strong advocate for women part of Rebecca’s work included responsibility for the curriculum, and budget and implementing a special, intensive supervision program. She was also employed by the City of Houston as the Policy Director for then Council Member Adrian Garcia and with the Department of Housing and Community Development.
Rebecca’s extensive work background in nonprofit, with Harris County and the City of Houston enabled her to become the first Executive Director for the Greater Northside Management District in April 2007. She has been responsible for the implementation of all the District’s programs and daily operations. During her tenure, her District has helped revitalize the Northside community through multiple economic development, beautification, safety, and capital project efforts. She leads a 10-member volunteer Board of Directors in the revitalization efforts of their community. By 2026, she and her staff along with the Board of Directors and countless volunteers in the Northside community haveleveraged additional funding from federal, public, non-profit, private and other investment partners in her District worth over $18,645,591of enhanced economic value for the City of Houston.Rebecca has over 17 years of service and a genuine spirit to make her community a better place to live.
Milestone projects include: Multiple Planning Studies, Butterfly Pocket Park and Sculpture, White Oak Plaza Park, Tree of Life Sculpture, Crosstimbers/Irvington Blvd Adopt an Esplanade, Tour de Northside now Northside Festival, Crosstimbers Gateway Project, Hernandez Underpass Tunnel Mural and Mini Murals and more...
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