José Antonio Burciaga Papers, 1940-1997, bulk 1980-1996

Collection context

Summary

Creators:
Burciaga, José Antonio.
Abstract:
José Antonio "Tony" Burciaga was a Chicano writer, artist and poet.
Extent:
56 Linear Feet (104 containers)
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[identification of item], José Antonio Burciaga papers (M2230). Department of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, California.

Background

Scope and content:

With his artwork, poetry, and writing, Jose Antonio Burciaga was a major contributor to Chicano culture and the Chicano Movement in the Bay Area California during the 1980s-1990s. As a resident fellow at Stanford University, Burciaga engaged with and promoted the artistic and intellectual aspects of "Chicanismo" in the academy. His collection consists of correspondence, writings, artwork, articles and clippings, Chicanismo ephemera, and other materials.

Biographical / historical:

After receiving his B.A. in fine arts from the University of Texas El Paso in 1968, Jose Antonio "Tony" Burciaga (1940–1996) began working as an illustrator and graphic arts designer, while also nurturing an interest in poetry. At this time, Burciaga also developed affiliations with the Chicano Movement. In the 70s, he married Cecilia Preciada and moved to the Bay Area, California so Cecilia could work as a dean at Stanford University, where she actively sought to increase the population of Chicano students. In 1985, Tony was granted a residential fellowship at Stanford, and was based at the Latino culture-themed dorm Casa Zapata. At Stanford, Tony further developed his expertise in Chicano poetry and muralism while supporting the growing Chicano Community on campus. In the late 80s up to the time around his passing, Tony also published books of his poems and short stories, granting him success as an author. These works include Weedee Peepo (1988), Drink Cultura (1993), and Spilling the Beans (1995). As an artist and author, Tony Burciaga authentically channeled contemporary popular sentiments of the Chicano Movement and the greater Mexican-American community. Discernable themes in his works across the platforms are issues of Chicano identity and culture, as well as issues concerning Mexican-American civil rights.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open for research. Note that material must be requested at least 36 hours in advance of intended use. Audiovisual & born-digital materials are not available in original format, and must be reformatted to a digital use copy.

Terms of access:

While Special Collections is the owner of the physical items, permission to examine collection materials is not an authorization to publish. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study. Any transmission or reproduction beyond that allowed by fair use requires permission from the owners of rights, heir(s) or assigns.

Preferred citation:

[identification of item], José Antonio Burciaga papers (M2230). Department of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, California.

Location of this collection:
Department of Special Collections, Green Library
557 Escondido Mall
Stanford, CA 94305-6004, US
Contact:
(650) 725-1022