We had the good fortune of connecting with Patrice Abrogoua and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Patrice, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My Name is Patrice Abrogoua AKA Don Patco. Don Patco is my Artist name. Born in Ivory Coast West Africa. I’m a single dad of 3 beautiful kids. I’m a firm expert in graphic design, creative design, art, Multimedia, marketing design, and illustration Design with over 15 years of experience in those domains. I love being creative. This is why Social media Networking, Domain Hosting, and web design are also some of our passions. My illustration design and arts gave me the opportunity to show some other talents I have.

As an artist myself I was also driven into live art and be present at many events around Arizona. I was a struggling artist and a father to 2 kids while I was going to school for my communication major. My idea to create the network was to create a way for artists like me to be able to be noticed around the world and use my skills as a digital marketer to expand the world of mouth to an online network of free exposition for artists and arts events around arizona. We also find a way to provide help and jobs to those struggling artists outside the network. Some of them reply to our organization by being present and giving their free time. Today Arizona Urban Arts has about 20k followers through all social media and helped many causes and art communities around Arizona. Arizona Urban Arts is now today larger traffic for artists and the art community online for Arizona. I’m proud of it.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I was born in a country where color and amazing culture were already surrounding me. When I was little I used to try to sketch my parents. But it wasn’t a thing back in Africa because you have to work to make money. We were also traveling a lot to other countries to see different types of culture and amazing arts. But always practicing art wasn’t what my family’s expected of me. So I only got into art once I got into college when I was playing professional Basketball. I have to take an Art class to increase my grade. So the Art teacher told me that I had great skills in Art which let me start focusing on art which was a very hard journey because my parents didn’t see me making money in Art.
After my injuries in basketball and moved from Maryland to Arizona for ASU. I changed my major from Finance & Economy to Fine Art. I was a great student in the Art District of Tempe that’s how I met a couple of those underground artists and legends of the Phoenix art murals. I joined a group of artists live painting in open mic events, shows, and others. Being part of this life helps my skill as an artist. They taught me how to be patient with my skill and believe in my skill. It’s also traveling around the world during those times that helps me be confident about my art.
I always tell people my purpose is to be there and accomplish some amazing and remarkable piece of art. I’m here to bring back art to the community and supply those in need with my skill set. Creating this non-profit was a way for me to provide what I always want for other people to do for me. The great story behind my non-profit is because artists I finally reached out to and we received some donations that help us keep the website and network going. I wish today to have an academic art school and gallery for those artists where they can perform and feel at home just like in the network.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I have a lot of places since I have to live here in Arizona. I would start with Tempe which was my first experience in Live Art performance. I will say Yucca Tap Room, Raw Sushi restaurant, SakeBomber Sushi & Grill, and Casey Moore’s Oyster House. But Today I’m mostly downtown Phoenix cause I live near and perform in places like The Womack Lounge which it’s my resident spot on Sundays with my Aquanet Sundays crew by Adam Dumper who helped me be part of this great place. I’m thankful for being there and performing a front of a great and positive environment. I also hang out at Lost Leaf, Churchill, and Bar smith. I haven’t really hung out too much because I’m more focused on my family and hustle. But once in the blue moon for events and celebrations.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Adam Dumper from The Blunt Club – Live Painter with The Insects, Furious Styles Crew, Crusher Sound System. Owner of The Blunt Club He is been there for the community and supporting my organization since the beginning of my live art painting.

Website: https://arizonaurbanarts.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donpatco

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PrinceAbrogoua

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DonPatcoaz/

Youtube: https://youtube.com/shorts/bPfUN75Q7U8?feature=share

Other: https://www.behance.net/patriceabrogoua patriceabrogoua.blogspot.com

Image Credits
No credit it’s with my personal camera and phone. Thank you

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutArizona is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.