Miembros Newsletter: April 2026

A Message from the Director

You Are Invited to the Cinco de Mayo Festival and Luncheon!

This year, Mexic-Arte Museum is organizing two events for the community to enjoy and learn about Cinco de Mayo. Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican victory at Puebla over the invading French troops on May 5, 1862, when civilians and soldiers alike joined General Ignacio Zaragosa to push back the French army. This single battle was one of the most glorious victories in Mexican history and inspired a wave of nationalism throughout the country. It is fitting that all Texans pay tribute to General Ignacio Zaragoza who led the battle because he was a Texan, born in the Presidio in Goliad, Texas in 1829. In Austin, as early as 1886, Lino Torres and Emile Tarratas planned a Cinco de Mayo celebration downtown at what is now known as Republic Square. This event is part of Austin’s 5th St. Mexican American Cultural District’s history.

On May 2, the Cinco de Mayo Festival will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Republic Square. Admission is free, funded by the City of Austin Heritage Preservation Grant Program and sponsored by the Downtown Austin Alliance Foundation. Join us at the Cinco de Mayo Festival for a vibrant family event and celebration! Experience the rich Mexican celebration with traditional foods, engaging activities, educational games, lively performances and a variety of art vendors. There will be performance representing Mexican and French culture and arts including Mariachis, Ballet Folklorico and lots of fun activities including a pan walk, Cinco de Mayo lotería, screen printing and more. It’s a day of culture, connection and creativity for all of the family!

The 2026 Cinco de Mayo Luncheon will be on Tuesday, May 5, from 11 a.m. -1 p.m. at the Thompson Hotel. The Cinco de Mayo Luncheon gathers downtown businesses and stakeholders to celebrate, promote and learn about the Mexic-Arte Museum, the Cinco de Mayo victory and the 5th St. Mexican American Cultural District.

Mexico, France and the United States have shared history through events like Cinco de Mayo. Highlighting intersections of these nations’ histories reveals complex relationships and shared cultural exchange. From history to cuisine, art, music, literature and more, celebrating the diverse connections between Mexico, France and the United States fosters a deeper appreciation of each culture’s unique and interconnected contributions to the world.

This year’s guest speaker is Dr. Raúl A. Ramos, PhD, Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies, Department of History, Director, Center for Arts and Humanities at the University of Houston. Dr. Ramos’ talk will be As American as a Rodeo: Connecting the History of Cinco de Mayo. The talk will focus on how Cinco de Mayo has become a popular day to celebrate Mexican history. Looking at the history of the battle and links to the Civil War underscores the intertwined histories of the United States and Mexico.

Dr. Raúl A. Ramos is an American historian and author with expertise in borderlands history, Mexican American history and the history of Texas. Ramos is Associate Professor of History at the University of Houston. He received his A.B. in History and Latin American Studies from Princeton University and his PhD in History from Yale University. He is currently the founding director of the University of Houston Center for Arts and Humanities.

We invite you to sponsor a table at this celebration or reserve your individual tickets and be a part of this year’s festivities. Sponsorships also support Mexic-Arte Museum programs. There will be great food, music, a silent art auction, the Cinco de Mayo Lotería and camaraderie.

Online Ticket and Sponsorship Purchase
2026 Cinco de Mayo Sponsorship Packet

There’s lots to do, to see and to learn! We invite you to join the Museum in celebrating Cinco de Mayo!

Mexic-Arte Museum Staff visits the Austin History Center

Sylvia Orozco, Executive Director; Martin Barrera, City of Austin Project Sponsor, Financial Services Department; Cody Scott, Facilities Process Manager, Austin Public Library; & Mindy Radike, Development Coordinator, Mexic-Arte Museum at City Hall.

We Are Thrilled! Mexic-Arte Museum Temporary Space

Sharing some great news! On Apr. 9, 2026, the Austin City Council approved the lease agreement for Mexic-Arte Museum at the Austin History Center. This is a major accomplishment demonstrating strong public and community support.

The Austin City Council authorized the negotiation and execution of a lease agreement with Mexic-Arte Museum to temporarily relocating to the Austin History Center at 810 Guadalupe Street for three years while the Building Project is underway. We are truly grateful and appreciative to Mayor Kirk Watson and all the City Council Members, Austin Public Library especially Hannah Terrell, Director of Libraries as well as the Former Director, Roosevelt Weeks. We thank Esperanza L. “Hopie” Martinez, Program Manager; Priscilla Gonzalez, Real Estate; Austin Financial Services; Cody Scott, Facilities Process Manager, Austin Public Library; Jennifer Chenoweth, Austin History Center Division Manager; Martin Barrera, Redevelopment Project Manager Financial Services Department; and Paul Saldaña, President of the Board and Board of Directors of Mexic-Arte Museum.

The City of Austin is managing the architectural design and construction management contracts for the reconstruction of Mexic-Arte’s downtown location at 419 Congress Avenue.

The Mexic‐Arte Museum is dedicated to enriching the community through education programs, exhibitions and the collection, preservation and interpretation of Mexican, Latino and Latin American art and culture for visitors of all ages. Since its inception in 1984, Mexic-Arte Museum has been a pioneer non-profit organization in the museum field as one of the few Mexican and Mexican American art museums in the United States. The Museum contributes to cultural enrichment and works to improve the quality of life through innovative exhibitions and educational programming. Mexic-Arte Museum has produced and presented exceptional artistic/cultural exhibitions and educational programs and has received local, state and international recognition for its contributions. Annual city cultural events, as the Viva la Vida/Dia de los Muertos Festival and Parade, Cinco de Mayo Festival, Emerging Artists, Mero Muro, Changarrito and other outstanding exhibits have become part of Austin’s downtown traditions. Through these initiatives, Mexic-Arte provides unique cultural learning experiences that have reached over the years more than 200,000 underserved youth in the Austin area. The Museum’s permanent collection includes over 7,000 significant historical and contemporary works. Utilizing the Austin History Center facility will allow Mexic-Arte to continue its exhibitions, education programs and collection preservation efforts for visitors of all ages during the renovation period. We are looking forward to being situated in the new temporary space that once held the history of Austin within its walls. Continue reading the newsletter to learn about the beautiful upcoming exhibition, Rosas y Revelacions: Homage to la Virgen de Guadalupe and related public programs.

Executive Director

Sylvia Orozco

Exhibitions

Mexic-Arte Museum Invites You to the Opening Reception of Rosas y Revelaciones: Homage to la Virgen de Guadalupe

Date: Friday, Apr. 17, 2026

When: 6 to 9 p.m.

Where: 419 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701

Admission: $10 GA

FREE FOR MEMBERS – PROMO CODES FOR FREE TICKETS SENT SEPARATELY

Attire: Guests are encouraged to dress in Mexican Fiesta attire.

Special $25 Individual Memberships Available for Purchase

Frost Bank – 4hrs for $10 with Museum Discount Code (Parking Instructions)

Ticket Includes: Entry, (2) Drink Tickets, Music by Midnight Navy and an Art Activity

Get Tickets

About the Exhibit:

The image of la Virgen de Guadalupe is one of the most powerful and enduring symbols of identity in Mexico and throughout the Americas. Her image has been mobilized at different historical moments, emerging during the early colonial period following the Spanish invasion of Mesoamerica. Eventually, her figure became central to the efforts of Spanish missionaries to convert Indigenous populations to Christianity. La Virgen de Guadalupe is thought to have first appeared in 1531 on a tilma, a cloak made from coarse cactus fiber, worn by a Nahua man under the Christianized name of Juan Diego. Her image has since been reinterpreted and transformed by Indigenous and Latino/e/x communities, reflecting and embodying cultural survival, identity and collective memory.

Rosas y Revelaciones honors both the enduring presence of la Virgen de Guadalupe and the artists who reimagine her through textile practices. The works in this exhibition demonstrate how representing la Virgen has driven artistic innovation. Because textile techniques often rely on geometric structures, rendering curved forms and figurative imagery presents a challenge. In response, the artists in this exhibition experiment with structure, color and composition. They have developed inventive approaches to translate a complex figure into woven form, revealing how innovation emerges through the encounter between traditional techniques and new creative challenges.

Commissioned by Linda Hanna, textile artist and collector, who worked closely with textile artists across sixteen Mexican states, this collection reflects a rich diversity of materials, techniques and cultural perspectives; while many works originate from Oaxaca, diverse regions are included, highlighting the breadth of Mexico’s textile heritage. Its creation, deeply collaborative, is rooted in longstanding traditions in which weaving and embroidery take place within family workshops and community networks where knowledge is shared across generations. Techniques, patterns and creative processes are developed collectively, making each textile both an individual expression and the product of communal practice. 

Connecting la Virgen de Guadalupe with Austin’s own cultural landscape, photographs by photojournalist Jesse Herrera document Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, an important cultural and spiritual landmark for Mexican and Mexican American communities in the city. The exhibit also includes a large crocheted image of la Virgen and a neon piece designed by Jay Gordon and fabricated by David Perez, Kirk Tunningsly, Tayler Drattlo and Blaze Gordon. On the Museum’s Mero Muro wall, Tejedoras del Espíritu: Rosas y Revelaciones by Ernesto and Cindy Hernandez, honors the profound lineage of la Virgen and Mesoamerican deities such as Tonantzin and Coatlicue. While the textile work translates la Virgen in the material language of thread and fiber, Herrera and the Hernandez’s exemplify the diverse ways her image continues to circulate within Austin’s community life. Together, the works in this exhibition demonstrate how la Virgen de Guadalupe remains a complex and evolving symbol, continually reinterpreted across materials, practices and communities. Emphasizing the living nature of these traditions, Rosas y Revelaciones presents these works in ways that evoke movement, presence and intimacy, recalling how they are worn, handled and experienced in everyday life. In this context, la Virgen de Guadalupe emerges not only as a fixed figure of the past, but as a living presence that is continually reimagined and remains active through artistic practices.

Learn More

Special Tour with Featured Artist Jesse Herrera

Visit Mexic-Arte Museum on Sunday, Apr. 19, at 1 p.m. for an artist-led tour with photo documentarian Jesse Herrera who will guide visitors through his images documenting Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe in East Austin. 

Recording History: A History of our Lady of Guadalupe Parish Church 

Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish has been a spiritual and social anchor for Mexican American families in Austin since its founding in 1907. The first church was located across the street from Guadalupe Park, now known as Republic Square. As the city changed, the church and the communities it served were displaced by the 1926 city ordinance that segregated the Mexican and Black communities. Today the parish stands at 1206 E. 9th Street in East Austin.

For many immigrants and their descendants, some arriving as early as 1917, the parish was the center of community life. At a time when Mexicans and Mexican Americans often faced economic hardship, social isolation, the effects of regional conflicts and deportations, the church offered stability, belonging and support. Yet, much of this community’s history was never formally recorded. With few written archives before 1977, the memories of parishioners themselves became vital historical sources.

Photo documentarian Jesse Herrera created this body of work in an effort to help bridge that historical gap during the late 1980s and early 1990s, as part of his graduate thesis at The University of Texas at Austin. Through photography and conversations with parishioners, Herrera documented the daily life, traditions and spirit of the parish community. Over the course of a year and a half, he photographed church services, gatherings and neighborhood events, creating more than 1,800 images. 

Special Tour with Project Founder Linda Hanna

Mark your calendar for another special tour with Rosas y Revelaciones project founder Linda Hanna. Sunday, Apr. 26, at 1 p.m.

“This collection was born of my passion for textiles and my admiration for The Queen of Mexico and her world. It was in Northern California, in the early 1970s, where I first became interested in spinning, dying and weaving because my neighbor raised Angora goats for their wool. Over time I designed my own line of woven, wearable art. During the next fifteen years I experimented with weaving techniques from Peru and Bolivia, combining silver wire and fine thread to create jewelry. In 1997, I moved to Oaxaca, Mexico, ostensibly to improve my Spanish; however, deep down I think I was drawn to the breadth of fine textile traditions.” 

Admission to Mexic-Arte Museum is free on Sundays thanks to H-E-B and the Downtown Austin Alliance. Please visit, learn and enjoy!

Newest Addition to El Mero Muro

Tejedoras del Espiritu: Rosas y Revelaciones centers indigenous women, especially those who work with textiles, as carriers of knowledge, lineage and cultural heritage. Cindy and Ernesto Hernandez reference Coatlicue/Tonantzin as ancestral embodiments of that power.

“We honor the profound lineage of Guadalupe-Tonantzin-Coatlicue not as separate figures, but as a singular, enduring symbol of femininity, motherhood and fertility that stretches back to ancestral times. At the center of this vision stands the Mexica monolith of Coatlicue—the “Lady of the Skirt of Snakes”—representing the primordial earth and the fierce, fertile origin from which all life emerges. The sacred ground of Tepeyac is invoked through the background of one design and the Mitla grecas (geometric designs) in the other, honoring the temples that once stood and the pilgrims who have journeyed there for centuries. We celebrate Zapotec, Mixtec and other cultures through the roses of Oaxaca as well as their textiles, patterns and geometry.”

About the Muralists

Ernesto and Cindy Hernandez are Indigenous, community-oriented artists based in Central Texas whose practice centers on storytelling, cultural memory and connection. Ernesto began painting murals at age sixteen along the border of Ciudad Juárez and El Paso, while Cindy’s work grew from tattoos, henna and narrative composition shaped by her upbringing in Dallas’s multicultural community, Oak Cliff. Together, they merge ancestral traditions with a forward thinking approach, creating public art that transforms shared spaces into places of belonging. Their collaborative practice spans murals, installations and traveling printmaking workshops that engage audiences of all ages. They have led youth mentorship programs, taught at the Indigenous Cultures Institute’s Summer Youth Encounter and served as guest instructors for the Headwaters at the Comal Archaeology Program in Fall 2025. Their large-scale murals double as community engagement opportunities, inviting youth and adults to co-create, express themselves and strengthen bonds with neighbors. In addition to drawing on ancestral roots, they embrace modern technology and new mediums. They combine photos, audio, video and storytelling into augmented reality, resulting in multisensory experiences that amplify community voices. This approach shaped their largest mural to date, Taking Flight. Their murals can be found across Austin, San Antonio, San Marcos and Pflugerville, including Knowledge is Power (UT Latino Studies, 2025) and Taking Flight (Texas Mutual, 2024). Their work has been featured in Tribeza and Texas Town and City Magazine. Rooted in collaboration and storytelling, their art bridges tradition and innovation to inspire connection, belonging and collective identity.

April Changarrito, Carla Santillana

About the Artist

Carla Santillana is an artist and art educator from Brownsville, Texas, based in San Antonio. Working across oil painting, stitched textile collage and works on paper, she balances studio practice with community engagement and arts education. Santillana holds a Master’s in Art Education from Texas Tech University and a Bachelor’s in Art Education from The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Recent exhibitions include Sacred Spaces (Flower Shop Art Studio, Brownsville, 2025), Mujer-Eres: Raíces (San Benito Cultural Center, 2025), Zine Gala (The Brick, San Antonio, 2025) and That Which Binds Us (Cactus Valley Art & Supply Co., Harlingen, 2025).

Artist Statement

“My current work explores how rage is manifested, inherited and released in the body. As a woman from a maternal lineage where frustration was often contained or dismissed, I use this anger as a passage towards healing and agency. I treat denim as a representation of flesh. Its flexible, resilient fibers mirror the body’s capacity to store and release trauma. Denim provides an intimate connection to my body while meeting me with its own material resistance and autonomy. These works give voice to the women in my family, who have been historically overlooked. Rage here becomes the catalyst for agency, a force I strive to redirect toward healing, forgiveness and growth.”

Carla will be outside Mexic-Arte Museum on Apr. 18 & 19 from 12 to 3 p.m. Come visit and view her art, 100% of sales goes to the artist.

View Carla’s Work

March Changarrito, Paulina Rosiles

About the Artist

Paulina Rosiles (b. 2003) is a painter and multimedia artist from El Paso, Texas. She graduated with her BA from the University of Notre Dame in May 2025 with a double major in Studio Art Honors and Economics and minoring in Latino Studies. Her senior studio art thesis, Let’s Play Dress-Up, received the Father Anthony J. Lauck, C.S.C. Thesis Award.

Rosiles has interned at the El Paso Museum of Art, the National Museum of Mexican Art and the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, where she explored various avenues of arts administration and the different ways cultural institutions serve their communities. She has exhibited in group exhibitions in South Bend, El Paso and Rome. She debuted her first solo show at Latinx Underground Projects (LÜP), an El Paso-based gallery focused on emerging artists in the region, in August 2025. Most recently, she serves as the Digital Asset Manager at LÜP, building digital archives for the gallery and continues to exhibit her work throughout the borderland.

Artist Statement

“My work focuses on everyday scenarios from the Mexico-United States El Paso-Juárez border, centered on girlhood, matriarchal lineage and familial tradition, in response to skewed depictions of the region as a crisis zone. The border is both a site of struggle and resistance and of nurturing and flourishing, where mundane, mostly tranquil lives can thrive. I make sense of my home, a liminal space that is both the United States and Mexico, yet not fully either, and emphasize its gentleness.

My interdisciplinary practice combines painting, installation, craft, textiles, print and performance. I challenge traditional categorizations, mirroring how the border resists belonging to any nation. Recently, I’ve increasingly incorporated crochet and sewing into my work, honoring the media, the women in my family practice and the skills I’ve inherited from them.

I am influenced by domesticana, a concept coined by Amalia Mesa-Bains, describing Chicana art practices that elevate the feminine and domestic spheres. I depict elements from my everyday life that are often considered lowbrow—such as my paper dolls, fangirl crushes on Mexican actors and amateur phone-photography portraits of my family—and position them as essential to understanding borderland life. Pink is another recurring motif in my work, not only because of its traditional association with girlhood, but its strong presence in my family’s photo archive, especially in childhood photos of me (You would think my reds got mixed with my whites with how much pink I wore.) I seek to expand the scope of border narratives through my art, showing that beyond herridas abiertas, la frontera is also a place capable of healing and care.”

View Paulina’s Work

Collections

In anticipation of the upcoming exhibition, Rosas y Revelaciones: Homage to la Virgen de Guadalupe, the Mexic-Arte Museum would like to highlight artworks from the permanent collection that will be on display. The exhibition features photographs by photo documentarian Jesse Herrera, documenting Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, an essential spiritual and cultural site for the Mexican and Mexican American communities of Austin.

Herrera is featured in Rosas y Revelaciones for his powerful photographic documentation of the church, which is the first Catholic church established specifically to serve Mexican and Mexican Americans in Austin. Founded in 1907, the church became a cornerstone of spiritual life, cultural preservation and community organizing for generations of Mexican and Mexican American families. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, as part of his graduate thesis at The University of Texas at Austin, Herrera created this body of work in an effort to help bridge that historical gap. Through photography and conversations with parishioners, Herrera documented the daily life, traditions and spirit of the parish community. Over the course of a year and a half, he produced more than 1,800 images, capturing church services, neighborhood gatherings, local events, religious processions, educational programs and outreach housing efforts.

His photographs, drawn from the Mexic-Arte Museum permanent collection, document both devotional practices and the architectural and communal life ofOur Lady of Guadalupe Church. Importantly, the original church was located within Austin’s historic 5th St. Mexican American Cultural District, an area central to the cultural, artistic and civic history of Mexican and Mexican American communities in the city. Through his lens, Herrera captures not only the physical presence of the church but also the presence of la Virgencita in this community space of Austin, Texas, affirming her enduring spiritual and cultural significance.

To view more of Jesse Herrera’s photographs alongside beautiful textiles, come see Rosas y Revelaciones: Homage to la Virgen de Guadalupe on Apr. 17, 2026, until Aug. 9, 2026.

Education

Meet the Spring 2026 Interns!

Mexic-Arte Museum is excited to welcome nine undergraduate student interns. For over 30 years, Mexic-Arte Museum has served as a pipeline for the professional development of emerging Latinx artists and arts administrators. Our internship program aims to cultivate the next generation of museum professionals by offering hands-on experience and career-building opportunities. Interns gain valuable skills through projects in various departments, working under the mentorship of museum professionals. Each Museum department has at least one internship position where interns, who are currently studying art, art history, museum studies and related fields, contribute to and assist with the museum’s Spring 2026 exhibitions and public programs.

This program is made possible by the support of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) initiative: Latino Museum Initiative Expansion Project, which is designed to provide opportunities for internships and fellowships at American Latino museums for students enrolled in Institutions of Higher Education, including Hispanic-Serving Institutions.

Meet Jomary Gonzalez, Education Intern, The University of Texas at Austin

“My name is Jomary Gonzalez. I am a third-year student at The University of Texas at Austin and a Spanish major. 

I had been following the museum on social media for a while and was really interested in many of their programs. I had personally never visited the museum before, so when I noticed applications were open, I saw it as an opportunity to immerse myself. 

My favorite project has been working on the Cinco De Mayo educational pamphlet. I get to learn more about the history while also getting to see the amount of effort that goes into the event and being a part of it. It has been a really cool experience getting to see the process of everything that goes into such a big event! This project has been the most fun because I get to spend time researching for the pamphlet and also helping with its creation and completion. 

This internship is helping me identify the specific areas where I work best. I never work on just one project, and they are all pretty different, which has helped me tremendously strengthen my skills in one area and learn new ones. I find this internship very helpful because I am not just sticking to one thing, and I am learning things that are helping me decide what path I want to take in my career. 

I am looking forward to the Cinco de Mayo Festival! It has been one of my favorite projects to work on, and I get to see the event unfold while also knowing what the behind-the-scenes process was like.”

Nicholle Moreno, Collections Intern, The University of Texas at Austin

“Hi everyone, my name is Nicholle Moreno. I am currently a junior at The University of Texas at Austin, majoring in History with a minor in Kinesiology.

It has always been a passion of mine to work in a museum, specifically behind the scenes, handling documents, organizing artifacts and fulfilling the main function of a museum, bringing history to the people. Mexic- Arte’s mission to ‘cultivate the next generation of museum professionals by offering hands-on experience and career-building opportunities’ aligns with my career goals as a historian.

The beauty of working in the Collections Department is getting to be part of something new every day, since work in a museum is never done. Right now, I have enjoyed helping to prepare for the new and upcoming exhibit, Roses y Revelaciones, where I have had the opportunity to see the artwork, textiles and artifacts and conduct a condition report on each item before they are put on display.

I applied for a position in the Collections Department to gain experience digitizing documents and artwork, which will prepare me for a career as an archivist. Also, it would enhance my efforts and provide me with the skills/experience I could use to fulfill my interest in preserving my community’s history.

I am currently working with a community group I co-founded, Nosotrxs Por El Valle, touring a traveling exhibit entitled Civil Rights in the Rio Grande Valley and maintaining a digital archive associated with the panels.”

Sophia Oliver, Graphic Design Intern, The University of Texas at Austin

“My name is Sophia Oliver. I attend The University of Texas at Austin, where I am studying Radio-Television-Film. I applied to the Mexic-Arte Museum Latino Museum Internship Expansion Project because I was interested in developing my graphic design skills alongside an organization that prides itself on preserving Latino art and culture. My favorite project thus far has been working on the lotería images. Not only do I get to expand my portfolio, but I’ve also had the opportunity to learn more about how museums operate, which is an experience I don’t think I would have had otherwise. I am looking forward to my trip to Europe this summer and continuing to grow creatively through new experiences.”

Jacqueline Nakazono, Development Intern, The University of Texas at Austin

“My name is Jacqueline Nakazono and I attend The University of Texas at Austin with a major in Economics.

I applied to the Mexic-Arte Museum Latino Museum Internship Expansion Project because I am always looking for ways to stay connected to my Hispanic roots. Being part of the Mexic-Arte team has allowed me to contribute to a mission that fosters and celebrates Hispanic art and culture. It’s been especially meaningful to support an organization that uplifts stories and perspectives that I didn’t always see growing up, while also helping make them more accessible to the community.

One of my favorite experiences so far has been attending a nonprofit luncheon with my mentor, Mindy Radike. During the event, we learned about fundraising strategies and development efforts within the nonprofit space. I found it especially interesting to connect concepts I was already familiar with to new approaches I hadn’t previously considered. It gave me a deeper understanding of how organizations sustain their impact and strengthened my interest in nonprofit work.

This internship has strengthened both my professional and personal development. I’ve been able to build skills in organization and community engagement while gaining exposure to how cultural institutions operate behind the scenes. It has also expanded my understanding of nonprofit strategy, particularly in areas like fundraising and outreach. Overall, this experience is helping me better understand how to continuously grow and apply new skills.

Outside of the museum, I am actively involved in student leadership at The University of Texas, where I contribute to initiatives that support professional development and community-building for Hispanic students. I’m especially passionate about creating opportunities that help others feel represented and connected, whether through cultural spaces like Mexic-Arte or student organizations on campus. Moving forward, I’m excited to continue building on these experiences and exploring ways to make a lasting impact in both professional and community settings.”

Ginny Montero, Special Events & Marketing Intern, The University of Texas at Austin

“My name is Ginny Montero, and I am an Advertising major at The University of Texas at Austin!

I applied to the Mexic-Arte Museum Internship because I’m drawn to meaningful, impactful work. Mexic-Arte’s mission of cultural enrichment and the education of Mexican, Latino and Latin American art resonated with me. I’m also always looking for opportunities to grow as a young professional, especially within the nonprofit space.

My favorite project so far has been creating content for the museum. I’ve really enjoyed being part of something that highlights Austin’s vibrant creative community, especially within a space that champions Latin American art and artists. It’s been rewarding to help showcase voices and perspectives that make the museum such a unique and inspiring place.

This internship has given me valuable hands-on experience and skills that will directly support my career, wherever I may find myself in the future. In a short amount of time, I’ve been able to explore multiple areas of marketing, which has broadened my perspective and strengthened my adaptability. The flexibility to wear many different hats, combined with the opportunity to collaborate with a supportive team, has made this an especially rewarding experience so far.

I’m really looking forward to staying involved in Austin’s creative community and being part of the upcoming events at Mexic-Arte Museum. As a Marketing and Special Events intern, I get to help behind the scenes, which makes seeing everything come together very rewarding.”

Family Day – World Building: Our Lady of Guadalupe Church and Creative Placemaking in the Austin Mexican American Community 

Date: Sunday, May 17, 2026

When: 12 to 5 p.m.

Where: 419 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701

Admission: FREE thanks to H-E-B & Downtown Austin Alliance

Parking: Frost Bank – 4hrs for $10 with Museum Discount Code (Parking Instructions)

Activity: This family day is a special experience for the Rosas y Revelaciones exhibition and a future City of Austin Art in Public Places (AIPP) by artist Saya W. The workshop will be facilitated by Awesome Art! on behalf of the artist and AIPP.
Part 1: Join us for a nature walk in the 5th St. Mexican American Cultural District. We will learn about the historical significance of cultural heritage sites such as the Blackbird sculpture in Republic square and the Colorado River. We will gather natural materials along the way and sketch images and icons relevant to The Virgin of Guadalupe and the Mexican American community.
Part 2: We will return to Mexic-Arte Museum and reflect on what we saw and collected, as well as observe the photographs of Jesse Herrera and learn the history of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. Then, we will use the materials from the nature walk along with textured textiles to create impressions into clay. These clay impressions will provide a community collaboration aspect to the Art in Public Places sculpture in the Austin airport.

About the Teaching Artist: Chance Ramirez has a background in studio art, craft and art therapy. Inspired by a career in mental health, they make hand-built works about pleasure, pain and joyful resistance. Using an abundance of textures and colors, Chance invites the audience to reach both outward and inward with curiosity. Their work attempts to answer the question, “What does it mean to be human?”

El Mero Muro: Murals in Schools Program

Students sketching out ideas for El Mero Muro on an ipad. Photo Credit: Richard Greene

This spring semester the students at LBJ High School have been hard at work creating their own unique mural design as part of our El Mero Muro: Murals in Schools program! Led by teaching artists Jarrid Williams and Myra Roze, students have been immersed in the world of muralism and large-scale design, focusing on community and inclusivity to align with their vision. Composition and perspective are the key components to this phase of mural-making, where students have successfully sketched their design on the walls of the school to begin the painting process this month. We would like to thank Austin Public Health, the Office of Violence Prevention and the teaching artists for their support and combined efforts to bring this project to life!

Community Events y Más

Follow @mexic_arte_edu on Instagram to hear about community art and cultural events for families in Austin. You may be able to screen print with us at some of them! Make sure to check Mexic-Arte Museum Instagram stories.

Development

Save The Date – 2026 Cinco de Mayo Festival for all the Family on May 2, 2026

Date: Saturday, May 2, 2026

When: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Where: Republic Square on 5th St. & Guadalupe St.

Admission: FREE!

Join Mexic-Arte Museum on Saturday, May 2, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for a free family-friendly Cinco de Mayo Festival at Republic Square, 5th St. and Guadalupe St. This community event is in partnership with the City of Austin AACME Department and the Downtown Austin Alliance Foundation. This event is funded by the City of Austin Heritage Preservation Grant.

The heart of this celebration lies in the interactive booths and art activities dedicated to teaching the historical significance of Cinco de Mayo. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about the heroic 1862 Battle of Puebla, offering a meaningful connection to the cultural impact of Cinco de Mayo.

Attendees will be immersed in a festive atmosphere anchored by the sounds of traditional music and the smells of authentic Mexican cuisine. There will be a variety of food vendors offering savory and sweet delights that pay homage to the culinary heritage of Puebla. The festival will also feature a curated artisan market where local artists and vendors will showcase and sell unique, handcrafted goods.

RSVP for free through Eventbrite to receive event updates leading up to the festival!

Costume Contest

Mexic-Arte Museum invites you to celebrate the rich tapestry of Mexican heritage by embodying the spirit of the China Poblana at the Cinco de Mayo Festival on Saturday, May 2, 2026!

The China Poblana is not merely a traditional image but a powerful symbol of Mexico’s history, blending the resilience of an Asian enslaved woman named Catarina de San Juan with the identity of the independent mestiza women of the 19th century. We encourage participants to honor this legacy by focusing on the beauty and historical significance of the traditional attire as a representation of Mexican mestizaje and national pride. Let your portrayal reflect a deep appreciation for the story behind the symbol, celebrating the cultural fusion and enduring spirit that the China Poblana truly represents.

This contest will be for ages 17 and under. Prizes will be awarded for design, originality and creativity.

Cinco de Mayo Festival Volunteer Opportunities – Get a Free Event T-shirt!

Become a volunteer with the museum team for Cinco de Mayo Fest! Families, corporate teams and neighbors will help us set up and tear down the festival at Republic Square in Downtown Austin. Commit to a 3-hour shift to help us make a festive celebration for our local artisans, vendors and performers.

Thousands of Austin locals and tourists gather for these outstanding cultural programs. Now is the perfect time to get involved.

Let us know you’re interested: https://forms.gle/wTBkXctoRqvvmfWN9

Save The Date – 2026 Cinco de Mayo Luncheon on May 5, 2026

The fourth annual Cinco de Mayo Luncheon returns to the Thompson Hotel, and you are invited to join the celebration! The Mexic-Arte Museum team is excited to commemorate our accomplishments and share the next chapter that lay ahead with you.

Individual tickets to attend are $175, and table sponsorships with varying levels branding benefits range between $3,500 and $10,000. You may now reserve your seat or table, receive your receipts and organize guest information in our one-stop-shop for online checkout. (Have another way you want to pay? We’re happy to take care of your registration with your preferred method).

We hope that you will become a sponsor of the Cinco de Mayo Luncheon through art, history and camaraderie while supporting the museum. Thank you for your support and we look forward to seeing you at the Cinco de Mayo Luncheon and Festival!

Activate Your 2026 Membership

Now is the perfect time for new members to get involved. For the Rosas y Revelaciones exhibit, the museum is selling Linda Hanna’s limited-edition catalogs, valued at $35. New members who sign up for a membership during the opening reception night will receive 20% off, and current members will receive 10% off their catalog purchase.

Activate your membership to be a part of everything the museum has to offer!

New Ways to Donate

Make a gift today with your preferred way to pay. Head over to our new donation page to make your gift with our secure online checkout. 

Visit Mexic-Arte Museum on Free Sundays!

Free Sundays are Back Starting April 19th!

Thanks to the generous support of H-E-B and the Downtown Austin Alliance, we are thrilled to offer free admission and public tours every Sunday at Mexic-Arte Museum! 

Tours on Sundays provides a unique opportunity to connect with the rich history and vibrant art of the Mexican, Latinx and Chicanx communities. Join us for guided tours in English at 2 pm and in Spanish at 3 pm, where you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the art on display. This is a great way for visitors of all ages to engage with both traditional and contemporary art forms.

Mexic-Arte Museum Store

Local Artists Merch & Gifts Now Featured!

Featured Artist: Bieke Campos

Bieke Campos was born and raised in Austin Texas, specifically East Austin, and is currently studying Studio Art at Texas State University with a concentration in painting. His artwork is focused on his environment growing up and highlights the poverty and adversity I’ve lived through. He hopes to connect others through his art and ultimately to inspire. Prints of this original oil painting of la Virgen de Guadalupe are available for purchase in the Mexic-Arte Museum Store.

Follow the New Artists on Instagram!

• Bieke Campos – @Artbybieke
• Tressa Gonzalez – @smittenkittentx
• Laura Clay – @lauraclayart
• Marlene Macias – @shopmootmagoo
• Nydia Salinas – @clayvalleystudio
• Sofia Villanueva – @mavah_designs
• Lindsay Gabriel – @firedartsbylindsay

Thank You Sponsors

A+ Federal Credit Union, Alliance Française d’Austin, Austin Independent School District Creative Classrooms, Austin Lowriding, Austin Saltillo Sister Cities Association, Bettina & Travis Mathis, Bob & Marisa O’Dell, Capital Printing, Chase Bank, Charlotte Hage Dalbey, City of Austin Capital Services, City of Austin Community Youth Development Program, City of Austin Economic Development, City of Austin Parks & Recreation, City of Austin Public Health Department, City of Austin Special Events, Consulate General of Mexico in Austin, Dulce Vida, Ed Jordan, Elizabeth Rogers, Endeavor Real Estate Group, Erwin Cuellar, Fenix Post Tension, Inc., Frost Bank, Gloria Moore, Gloria Reyna, Hendler Flores Law, H-E-B, IBC Bank, IBM, Jennifer Hage Bond, Jennifer & Joseph Gatti, JP’s Peace Love & Happiness Foundation, Juan & Martha Cotera, Juan J. Gutierrez, La Voz, Lola Wright Foundation, Ann McEldowney, Madelline Mathis, Mark Zuniga, Mellon Foundation, Nettie & M.K. Hage Family, Oncor Global, Patricia Hage Hirsh, Paul Saldaña, Peter M. Baez, Pronto Insurance, Robin Suzanne Hage, Rocheli Patisserie, Saldaña Public Relations, Serie Print Project, Siete, Silcone Labs, Spurs, Thompson Austin, UFCU