'1960s to '1970s - from Teacher to Director
After college and his service in the military, Jesus Benjamin Lucero started making his path in the Native American artworld by developing his own style thru the teachings he received and his own cultural history from his forefathers.
He also had a strong passionate feeling about the education system he himself had enjoyed and wanted to teach others, in the years to come he became a teacher at Clinton High School, Clinton, Oklahoma. In a 10 year time period he worked himself up to become an Associate Professor American Indian Art, and Director of Extended Opportunities Programs and Services, at Palomar College, San Marcos, California.
In the '1970s Lucero was part of founding a series of Satellite Community Colleges in various Native American Reservations in the state of California.
This was in service to the State Department of Education in Sacramento, California, part of the Johnson O'Malley Projects, a federal program whose main objective is to ensure Indian children receive educational opportunities, that otherwise not would be provided through the public school system.
In total numbers, Lucero founded 9 Community Colleges, he said this was one of his greatest accomplishments, and was very proud with the results. Jesus said he believed everyone had the right to a “strong education.”
Besides the many other responsibilities Lucero had in that decennia, he was also in the mean time fixated into making art, selling and promoting , performing at conventions and shows, exhibition's at art galleries, lecturing, and making book and magazine appearances as an Artist in Native American Art.
Lectures
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• Art History
Hoyt's Art Gallery
Painting Classes - Oils, acrylic, water color
(1962-1968)
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• American Indian Contemporary Arts
Jacettes National Convention
Town and Country Convention Center
San Diego, California.
(1974)
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• History of American Indian Arts.
Daughters of the American Revolution Conference
Encinitas, California.
(1974)
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• Indian Arts of the Americas
D.A.R. National Convention.
Town and Country Convention Center.
San Diego, California.
(1975)
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• American Indian Arts
Hellingsor Round Table.
Copenhagen, Denmark.
(1979)
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• Native American Cultures And Arts
University of Copenhagen.
Copenhagen, Denmark.
(1980)
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• Indian Arts
Public School Educators
Farum, Denmark
Slides and lecture.
(1980)
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• American Indian Arts And Crafts
Venray Public School
Venray, Netherlands.
(1981)
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• American Indian Arts And Dances
Vakantie Festival
Lichtaart, Belgium
Slides, videos, lecture.
(1982)
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• American Indian Arts & Dances
La Valle Des Peaux Rouges
Paris, France
Slides, videos, lecture.
(1982)
Publication Appearances
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• I am these people
Native American Art Exhibit
Presented by Edmund C. Brown jr, Governor of the State of California, Sacramento, California.
(1975)
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• New horizons in american indian art
Published by Southwest Museum
Highland Park, California.
(1976)
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• American indian contemporary artists
Smith Parker Gallery Presents,
San Diego Magazine.
(1976)
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• Amerikaanse Indiaanse artiest/kunstenaar
Published by Het Dorp Gallerie
Geel, Belgium.
(1981)
'1980s - A Native American artist, jet-setting in Belgium
The early '1980s were busy and occupied day's for Lucero, travelling from one European country to another, doing expositions, lecturing at high schools, performing and making art. In Belgium there was an art climate where Lucero could benefit from many aspects of this fortunate decennia, or would it be more wise to say that Belgium benefited from the many aspects of Lucero's talents? We don't have that answer, but Jesus Benjamin Lucero as modest and assertive as he was, would presumably say very humble and wise : " If you have the opportunity in life to be a part of something that is extraordinary and beautiful... Take that opportunity and let everyone benefit from it."
In that time the city of Kasterlee, Flanders, Belgium, had outstanding printing facilities were Lucero would be able to print out artworks from his pre-existing works. These would be a variety of lithography, portraits and new established works. The rumour that Lucero was in Belgium quickly spread, with the evolving events that Lucero was invited to many exhibitions, presentations, expo's, demonstrations, shows and thereby meeting a lot of singers and media celebrities.
Lucero's personality and appearance drew the attention of many people who were fascinated by his forefathers history, his nationality and his artworks, but most of all it was the sound of his voice while he was speaking. For Europeans, his American language and the deep tone in his vocals was as a vibrating sound of wisdom and calmness, that almost anyone who listened to it would go in a calm state of admiration and relaxation.
'1990s - A legacy throughout the world
After Europe, Jesus Benjamin Lucero lived a couple of years in Mexico, but his homeland The United States of America was thriving his soul to come back, as this is where his heart was located, as it never left. By this point in time Lucero had not much more to learn anymore about Native American Art, he had skillfully mastered his own style and continued a series of works that as of today we known as lucero's legacy in the Artworld.
Across the time period of the '70s and '80s, Ben Lucero demonstrated his Indian American artworks in about 22 countries. His legacy was and still is at the present time, being portrayed throughout a worldwide connection of private collectors, and artworks being presented by many Museums in Puerto Rico, Zambia, Mexico, New Zeeland, Peru, Afrika, Australia, Canada, Europe and the United States.
In 1990 Ben and his wife Edith decided to return to the United States, and live in ben's childhood home in Douglas, Phoenix, Arizona.
From then on Lucero dedicated himself to sell his works mostly in the state of Arizona exclusively, also Ben and Edith became part of the Cochise County Art Community, proudly selling works to many local collectors. He worked with a variety of material including silver wirework etchings, digital storytelling, stone lithography, watercolors, intricate portraits and silk screens.
'1990s to '2000s - A teacher and coach, on and off the field.
In the '90s Ben became completely focussed on the well being of his students and what their needs were, he wanted for a large period of time, to dedicate himself to be a teacher in classes where he was needed the most. He became a substitute teacher for the Douglas unified school district, the school called him on a daily basis to substitute, he was in high demand and always eager and happy to give his assistance to help, educate and give guidance.
We are never to old to learn. Only a couple of years before his retirement he made the decision to start studying again. He started to attend Yavapai College, Prescott, Arizona. Lucero studied Digital Media Arts/ digital storytelling and proudly achieved his diploma.
At one point in time, in Sunizona at a Art exhibition he met the Football Coach of Valley Union who was retiring. After a long conversation he pointed ben in the right direction, he considered Ben to be an amazing coach with more than enough experience. Lucero started to volunteer in football and basketball, which eventually became a permanent position with the School District as an art teacher, head coach for the Football, Basketball and volleyballteam until his retirement. We would like to end this part with the objective statement about Ben :
"jesus Benjamin lucero or Chiri Sopori was a product of his best teachers, meaning his students."
He was very beloved and gave back in every way possible, a coach in sport on the field, a coach in life off the field".
