VICTOR NAVARRO

The first clues of Tucsonan Victor Navarro’s internationalist path in the world of arts and culture came long before he founded the International Art Exchange at age 19.

By 10, drawing was clearly established as his favorite pastime, and his favorite things to draw were inspired by all things French. At 16, the immigrant from Guadalajara was steeped in French culture and language well enough to earn sponsorship to spend part of a summer there.

Staying the internationalist course is a large part of what makes Navarro a leading light in the Arizona arts and culture scene. In 2020, he won the 2020 Governor’s Arts Award in the philanthropy category and was a finalist in the artist category.

The International Art Exchange was established in 2009 to promote arts, culture and community. Host nations so far include France, Spain, Mexico, and the United Arab Emirates.

Navarro never forgets where and how he got where he is. His ongoing association with the Lacey Jarrell Foundation, a Tucson-based organization that supported him during his studies at the University of Arizona, is a testament to that. He now serves on the foundation’s board of directors.

Some measure of fate and happenstance figure into his destiny. It was by chance, after all, that during his teen French adventure, his artwork caught the attention of prominent arts and culture personalities and institutions. His connections to the international arts community started there.

Navarro’s fascination with cultures and his commitment to diversity and inclusion in the arts is innate, he says.

“It comes from the nature of me,” Navarro said. “I’m a gay Latino, 32-year-old who has had the opportunity and the privilege to meet many, many walks of life in the countries that I have visited. I believe that with the integration of all of our talents across the globe we can definitely push to a better society.”

Do you know an Arts Hero? Someone who works tirelessly to strengthen, improve and enhance the arts in our community?

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Amplifying voices through visual storytelling

Everyone, he believes, should hear voices, especially those of young people. In his learned opinion, that’s how you build a connected community and grow seeds of change.

For 20 years in Tucson, Schachter has amplified voices through visual storytelling.

“Stories help us build bridges, reconnect us to our own humanity and create a sense of empathy that is deeply needed, especially now,” Schachter says. “I’ve seen the power and fantastic strength of storytelling with my own eyes.”