Cosmé Cordova’s efforts to give local artists a place to share their work have helped shape two Riverside traditions: ArtsWalk and the city’s Day of the Dead celebration. The owner of Division 9 Gallery continues that work as the free, family-friendly festival prepares to return Nov. 7 and 8, with festivities beginning at 1 p.m.
Cordova was born in San Pedro de la Cueva, Mexico, and moved to Riverside at about age five, growing up and attending school in Arlanza. His interest in art began in Mexico through his mother and grandmother. His grandmother fashioned palm leaves into artwork for Palm Sunday, and both women made clay cups and pots he used as a child. Those experiences taught him to see art as part of everyday life.
His path to opening a gallery began with an opportunity to exhibit at Americore in Bobby Bonds Park in 1997. After that first basement show, Cordova obtained a studio in the Life Arts Center and asked about space for a gallery. A basement previously used by a band was available, but its condition had led the owners to consider it beyond repair. Cordova and friends cleared it out, removed carpeting and repainted the walls.
During the renovation, a damaged piece of drywall marked “Div 9” supplied the gallery’s name. Cordova had long felt drawn to the number nine and had considered naming a gallery Cloud Nine. Division 9 held its first exhibition in the Life Arts Center basement in 1999, featuring Cordova and friends who took turns displaying their work. The space offered artists opportunities to connect and exhibit work reflecting experiences they felt were missing from museums.
Those exhibitions also introduced Cordova to artists across Southern California. An artist from Pomona invited him to that city’s monthly ArtsWalk, inspiring him to seek a similar event in Riverside. When his initial appeals to officials drew no participation, he used a two-week solo exhibition at the Riverside Community Arts Association to organize his own version. On opening night, visitors could see his work there and his friends’ art at Division 9. The 2001 event, Riverside’s first ArtsWalk, attracted about 150 people.
The association subsequently took up organizing ArtsWalk. It expanded from the two galleries to the street outside Pixels, then moved to a parking lot across from Division 9 as attendance outgrew the space. ArtsWalk now takes place on Main Street, the location Cordova had hoped for. His gallery operates on Lemon Street in downtown Riverside, beside Crooks Skate Shop and the Riverside Community Arts Association.
Inspired by Day of the Dead celebrations in Palm Desert’s art scene, Cordova introduced a Riverside event in fall 2004. It began with two altars, one food vendor, three artists selling work and one band. About 350 people attended, many born in Mexico. For its first seven years, Cordova distributed a pamphlet explaining the holiday’s meaning.
The festival now typically draws 50,000 people. This year’s celebration will occupy Market Street, with a full closure from University to 14th, White Park and the area around Division 9. Plans include 80 altars, including car show altars, a lucha libre wrestling ring and three stages presenting seven bands and 24 Inland Empire cultural dance groups. The Voodoo Glow Skulls will perform on the new Detour Stage.
