Apr. 12 All day
The Virtual Exhibition
If you find yourself walking through the streets of Mexico, you will inevitably encounter a changarrito, a food cart, or locally run shop. Changarritos, enticing with the smell of antojitos, the persistent beckoning of vendors, or sheer curiosity, are difficult to ignore. These carts exist freely, usually outside of the controls, supervision, or instruction of formal institutions. More than just a business, changarritos are an integral part of Mexican culture, communities, and families.
In 2005, artist Máximo González initiated a Changarrito cart as a possible platform for artists to present their art to the people without having to be accepted by traditional art spaces or official curatorship, blurring the boundaries between established galleries and tianguis (informal street markets). Changarrito offers opportunities to artists and those interested in purchasing art; either to collect, use, or give away to a loved one. More so, the program creates the possibility to develop art as an encuentro: a moment of connection between the artists and the public, a moment that is profoundly personal and collective.
From its inception in Mexico City, the Changarrito has appeared in twenty-two cities, brought to Austin by Leslie Moody Castro and became active at the Mexic-Arte Museum in 2012. Since the program’s implementation, dozens of artists have used it to display their art and interact with the public on 5th Street and Congress Avenue. In 2020, with the rise of Covid, the Changarrito residency introduced a digital component called changarreando. Now, more people than ever can learn about and engage with the monthly Changarrito resident artists thanks to the Changarrito art cart residency, which has resumed its in-person component while continuing with its digital feature.
Themes
The artworks in this exhibition are part of Mexic-Arte’s permanent collection, acquired during the residencies of Changarrito artists from 2012 to 2024. This year, Mexic-Arte celebrates the history and legacy of this program through the artwork of over a hundred artists, many from Texas. Accompanying the display of artworks, Mexic-Arte has commissioned a sound piece by Lisa Salidvar (Mexico City), an interactive artwork by Gil Rocha (Laredo, Texas), a hand-painted exhibition sign by Alán Serna (San Antonio, Texas), and a mural by Stephen Longoria, (San Diego, California), titled Tejas Forever.
Changarrito Residency Program
Changarrito is an art vending cart, conceptualized by artist Maximo Gonzalez as an alternative to the official gallery selection presented by the Mexican cultural authorities.
Faithful to their original, informal spirit, Changarritos exist throughout the world, evolving as forums for the sale of original artwork to the general public, presentation of public programs, special curatorial projects, and individual and collective exhibitions. Changarreando takes this a step further by connecting with people through social media, generating interaction with art, and embracing the digital era with our existing programs!
True to the Mexic-Arte Museum’s mission, the Changarrito and Changarreando are dedicated to the presentation and promotion of contemporary Latinx and Latin American art. Normally, artists have the opportunity to sell their art on the Changarrito cart in front of the Museum (or an offsite location, as representative for the museum during various Austin festivals). Changarreando expands the reach of the artist by presenting their gallery online, while allowing the option to sell merch over Instagram and receive 100% of the sale.
CultureConnect is a mobile tool that Mexic-Arte Museum is utilizing to make exhibitions and artwork accessible to the community. Through CultureConnect, Mexic-Arte Museum can present curated information about the artwork and give the viewer a chance to explore the artist and artwork in depth!
This exhibit includes images of the artworks, label text, and essays from professionals and artists.
Artist Panel Discussion
As apart of the Creating Encuentros: Changarrito 2012-2024, Mexic-Arte conducted and recorded a panel discussion with Claudia, Leslie, in the exhibition. The panel was moderated by Sylvia Orozco, Executive Director, and Isabel Servantez, Curator Of Exhibitions and Programs
An Encounter with Changarrito: A Conversation
Learn about the Changarrito art cart residency and its history with a conversation between its founder and artist, Maximo Gonzalez, early administrator Ivan Buenader and Curator Leslie Moody Castro, its first Mexic-Arte Museum Curator Dr. Claudia Zapata, and current Mexic-Arte and Changarrito Curator, Isabel Servantez, moderating the conversation.
Essays About Changarrito
Installation Images
Photos by Chris Caselli
2012 – 2014
2012: The inaugural year of Changarrito had incredible artists kick off the artist residency. From drawings to prints to shirts to pencil bags, Changarrito 2012 was a perfect introduction to the potential it offers to artists, the Mexic-Arte Museum, Austin, and The larger art world. From this moment on, Changarrito has been a place for artists to share their creativity in a variety of forms that are often not present in traditional art spaces and interact with numerous people, offering their artwork and ideas on art, all the while creating encuentros between themselves, the public, Austin, and Mexic-Arte Museum.
2013: Changarrito’s sophomore year at Mexic-Arte proved as remarkable as its debut. The resident artists continued to showcase and sell their magnificent artworks, with the exciting addition of selling toys, marking a new avenue of creativity and commerce for the initiative.
2014: More non-traditional artworks were present in Changarrito 2014, much in line with Changarrito’s non-traditional nature. Artists this year worked with the mediums of collage, soft sculpture, aerosol painting, hand-sewn textile, and found object sculpture. With the addition of these new mediums, Changarrito continued to prove that it is a welcoming platform for various mediums and objects not regularly accepted in traditional art spaces.
Boys R Us, 2012
Paper collage, 12″ x 12″
Mexic-Arte Museum Collection 2013.6.2
Friends, n.d.
Embroidery on fabric, 17″ x 17″
Mexic-Arte Museum Collection 2014.10.1
Supreme Pizza Cats, 2012
Silkscreen on paper, 24″ x 24″ Mexic-Arte Museum Collection 2013.2.1
Barbie Shiva Goddess, 2013
Imitation flowers on Barbie Doll parts, 11” x 7.5” x 6.5” Mexic-Arte Museum Collection 2013.15.1
Online visitors can view 2012-2014 virtually by visiting the Culture Connect link!
2015-2017
2015: Changarrito 2015 artists focused on the human figure. Looking over the work from this year, notice how Changarrito artists have been open to the numerous possibilities of how people can be represented in both form and medium. 2015 was also the first time an artist collective joined the Changarrito residency.
2016: In June 2016, Changarrito Project: Selections from the Collection: 2015-2016 opened, highlighting the 19 artists who had participated in the Changarrito Project. This year marked one of the first exhibitions giving an overview of Changarrito throughout the years and featured selected portable works of art such as toys, serigraphs, and zines. This year, Changarrito’s talented artist residents also introduced new mediums, such as hats, beads, and ceramics. Throughout this year, the Changarrito artists put a strong emphasis on color. As you look at this year’s artworks and the entire exhibition, consider how color has been used to accentuate emotions, scenes, and events.
2017: This year, the Changarrito Residency Program not only hosted gifted artists specializing in sculpture, woodwork, and vibrant colors but also welcomed two artists from Guatemala, marking a significant first for Changarrito.
La Sandia, 2015
Hot glue and aerosol on wood panel, 12″ x 12″
Mexic-Arte Museum Collection 2015.30.1
10 year Mystery, 2016
Acrylic on canvas, 30″ x 20″
Mexic-Arte Museum Collection 2016.6.1
Llora, Llora, Llora, 2017 Ink and text transfer on handkerchief, 12″ x 12″
Mexic-Arte Museum Collection 2017.900.7.11
Aya, 2015 Ceramic and paper assemblage, 10.75” x 5.5” x 5.5”
Mexic-Arte Museum Collection 2016.3.1
Online visitors can view 2015-2017 virtually by visiting the Culture Connect link!
2018-2020
2018: In 2018, two artist collectives participated in the Changarrito residency among the other talented artists of this year. Additionally, for the launch of the 2018 season, Mexic-Arte Museum featured six Changarrito residencies during the South by Southwest (SXSW) Festival in Austin, Texas.
2019: The Changarrito artists of 2019 focused on commonplace items, music icons, popular media, and ancient symbols. They crafted their pieces using ordinary household objects and dedicated art materials and drew inspiration from domestic environments, the hustle of street life, mass media, and historical iconography. When looking at this section, consider how you can use and manipulate common objects, symbols, or icons to create original artwork.
2020: The COVID-19 pandemic proved difficult for museums worldwide to execute their programming, including Changarrito. In response, Mexic-Arte introduced a digital component to Changarrito, “Changarreando,” an online component of Changarrito for artist interviews and increased social media activity. This new digital platform allowed people worldwide to interact with Changarrito and its resident artists. As the pandemic subsided and museum operations returned to normal, Changarreando remained, allowing for greater audience interaction and program reach.
Maya, n.d. Digital print on paper, 12” x 18” Mexic-Arte Museum Collection 2018.27.2
Mexic-Arte Museum Collection 2019.900.7.2
Debajo el Mar, 2019 Acrylic on canvas,
36″ x 24″
Mexic-Arte Museum Collection 2020.7.1.1
Online visitors can view 2018-2020 virtually by visiting the Culture Connect link!
2021-2024
2021: Changarrito was reintroduced outside the museum once pandemic restrictions were lifted, and featured artists brought the spirit of Changarrito back to life following a year of solely online activities. The online component remained, allowing for further outreach to audiences in Texas and beyond. The variety of mediums seen this year was impressive, including, at this point, unseen mediums in Changarrito, like cyanotype photography, tarot cards, clothing, and new takes on sculpture.
2022: The art featured this year was visually stunning, with The Changarrito artists of 2022 embracing vibrant colors, intriguing shapes, and captivating patterns, exploring diverse art styles ranging from experimental photography to caricature to conceptual fashion design. Throughout this year, artists made the choice to focus on everyday objects and scenes as the centerpiece of their artworks. While looking at the artists this year, consider everyday scenes and objects in your life that you believe could be held up as seemingly simple but also profoundly important to you.
2023: In 2023, Changarrito featured portraits, landscapes, and city scenes with prominently displayed icons like skulls and Texas. The Changarrito artist residents of this year focused on an array of mediums, including painting, photography, installation, zines, and screenprints.
2024: The Changarrito Art Cart Residency, now in its 13th year, has hosted more than 100 artists during the residency. During its run, it underwent changes in the way and location where artists presented their art. Throughout the residency at Mexic-Arte, artists have been free to experiment and create freely with little restriction. The freedom that the Changarrito has offered has been vital for the artists chosen for the residency. As you walk through the exhibition, see how each year has added to the story of Changarrito at Mexic-Arte.
Fideo Paleta Man, 2021
Digital print on paper, 10″ x 8″
Mexic-Arte Museum Collection 2021.39.9
Untitled, n.d. Etching on scratchboard,
14″ x 11″
Mexic-Arte Museum Collection 2022.31.1
Untitled, 2023 Acrylic on board, 12″ x 12″ Mexic-Arte Museum Collection 2023.20.2
Vivora Guantuda, 2023 Relief, Etching, and aquatint on paper, 18″ x 9.5″
Mexic-Arte Museum Collection 2024.1.5
Online visitors can view 2021-2024 virtually by visiting the Culture Connect link!
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