Miembros Newsletter: December 2025

A Message from the Director

A Great Year of Exhibits, Programs, and Community!

Thank you all for a great year! We are grateful for a wonderful, productive 2025 that was packed with exhibits, programs, special events, accomplishments and surprises. 

We are so proud of the community’s enthusiastic reception for every one of our projects. This was made possible with the support of the Board of Directors, sponsors, a great team at the museum and the community.

Your contributions have allowed us to serve the growing number of visitors, students and families throughout the year. We invite you to make your end of the year donation to Mexic-Arte Museum to support the impact of our work. We truly appreciate you and your support!

Executive Director

Sylvia Orozco

Exhibitions

Last Chance to View En lo más negro del verano/ In the Darkest Domain of Summer – Ends January 4, 2026

Artist Highlight

En lo más negro del verano / In the Darkest Domain of Summer is a contemplative exhibition inspired by a haunting poem by Peruvian writer Blanca Varela. Twelve emerging artists respond through painting, ceramics, installation, film and more, exploring death as an ever-present force woven through memory, mourning and renewal. Much like Día de los Muertos, these works become echoes of people, places and histories, inviting visitors to reflect on the cycle of life where beauty and loss intertwine. 

All of the participant artists in this exhibition have been paired; their artwork creating a dialogue amongst mediums and specific themes that the artist has chosen to explore, centered on Varela’s poem. Via Madison Ceaser’s The Garden Remembers and Allen Yu’s ceramic works, enduring relationships between material, memory and identity emerge—resonating with the atmospheric weight of Blanca Varela’s text. Ceaser reflects on land as a keeper of ancestral memory, where ritual and presence create space. 

Yu’s practice draws from the forms and textures of nature, filtered through his perspective as a first-generation Asian immigrant. His creations are shaped not only by clay, but by inherited knowledge, personal migration and design traditions. Echoing Varela’s poetic sensibility, Yu’s works quietly hold contradictions—delicate yet weighty, utilitarian yet emotive.

Both artists explore geographies of belonging through material that carries time. Their work aligns with Varela’s evocation of place as something that holds memory, suggesting that practices and materials are all capable of holding intimate, personal and historical rituals.

Las Calaveras de la Calle 5 – Art Installation at Republic Square

Las Calaveras de la Calle 5 is a large-scale art installation honoring the 5th Street Mexican American Cultural District in downtown Austin. The project features six monumental skull sculptures installed at Republic Square, each designed to celebrate the rich cultural influences that have shaped Austin’s identity.

The skulls were created by Colectivo Última Hora, a Mexico City-based artist collective recognized internationally for their iconic Día de los Muertos installations and parade props. This project blends traditional craftsmanship with contemporary cultural storytelling. For this installation, Mexic-Arte Museum collaborated with Austin-based artists Luis Abreux, Luis Angulo (ULOANG), Valerie Chaussonnet, Amado Castillo III, Cindy and Ernesto Hernandez, and Candy Yu Yen Kuo to paint a vivid, community-rooted artistic experience.

Each skull is dedicated to honoring the contributions of a distinct cultural group—Indigenous, Latine/x, Black, French, Asian and Chicano—inviting the public to engage with the histories, stories and identities that continue to shape the city. This interactive installation encourages both celebration and reflection, fostering dialogue around cultural memory, diversity and the evolving character of Austin.

Las Calaveras de la Calle 5 Artists:

• Luis Abreux 
• Luis Angulo 
• Amado Castillo III
• Valerie Chaussonnet
• Cindy and Ernesto Hernandez
• Candy Yu Yen Kuo

Los Nacimientos are on Display December 11, 2025 – January 4, 2026

Nativity scenes, mangers, or belenes are traditional elements of the Christmas season in Mexico, especially among Catholic communities. However, it is not necessary to belong to a religious tradition to appreciate the creativity, craftsmanship, aesthetics, symbolism and dedication involved in assembling or creating a nativity scene.

The tradition of nativity scenes dates back nearly 800 years to Saint Francis of Assisi, who first created a life-size nativity scene in Italy, featuring real people and animals. Over time, the practice spread throughout Europe, particularly in religious settings. By the 15th century, smaller figurines were introduced, making it easier for people to set up nativity scenes in their homes.

In Mexico, this tradition began during the early years of the conquest as a strategy to aid in the evangelization of indigenous peoples. Over the course of five centuries, both the composition and technique of the nativity scene have evolved significantly. It is difficult to pinpoint the exact elements that made up the original nativity scene but usually a visual representation of the birth of Jesus Christ is present, as well as scenes from heaven and hell.

The diverse array of nativity scenes is deeply shaped by the cultural traditions of each region or town, as well as by the unique geographical features of the area. The large nativity scene featured in this exhibit includes pieces generously donated by collectors Edwin R. Jordan and Charles H. Geffen.

Los Nacimientos will be on display from December 11, 2025, until January 4, 2026.

Mix ‘n’ Mash – On Repeat: The Musicians Who Shaped Us

Mexic-Arte Museum is pleased to announce a call for entries for the annual Mix ‘n’ Mash Exhibition and Art Sale, Mix ‘n’ Mash – On Repeat: The Musicians Who Shaped Us, which will open on Friday, January 30, 2026. The art sale not only increases awareness about the visual arts and art collecting in the community, but also provides funding for the Museum’s exhibitions, supports educational programming for children and adults, and sustains upkeep and care of the permanent collection. Artworks may also be purchased through the Mexic-Arte Museum Online Store. 

Mix ‘n’ Mash –  On Repeat: The Musicians Who Shaped Us Exhibition and Art Sale will be on view from Friday, January 30 – March 8, 2026. We are inviting emerging and established artists to create and donate one work of art on a 12” x 12” eco-friendly and archival quality Gessobord donated by Ampersand Art Supply. 

This year’s Mix ‘n’ Mash theme invites artists to create works that depict the musicians, performers, and music-makers who have made a meaningful impact. We encourage you to explore the people behind the sound—those whose voices, instruments, styles, and stories have shaped culture, inspired communities, and influenced you.

Your piece may portray a legendary artist, an emerging performer, a local musician, or someone whose music resonates deeply with you. Musicians from all parts of the world—across genres, traditions, and generations—are welcome subjects, reflecting the global nature of music’s influence. Whether through realistic representation, abstraction, symbolism, or reinterpretation, we invite you to bring these figures to life visually. Consider the energy of a live performance, the intimacy of a musician at work, or the iconic qualities that make these artists unforgettable.

Music is a powerful force, and so are the individuals who create it. In your artwork, we hope you will highlight the presence, personality, and artistry of the musicians who continue to shape the way we listen, feel, and connect.

Opening Reception – Friday January 30, 2026

– The Mix ‘n’ Mash Exhibit and Art Sale

– Food, cocktails, music, and great fun!

During the reception the public will be able to purchase boards. Art can be picked up at the end of the exhibition: March 8 2026. If you have any questions about purchasing, please reach out to the store at  

How to participate?

1. Artists may pick up ONE Gessobord at the Mexic-Arte Museum on Monday – Thursday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Friday – Saturday 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.; and Sunday, 12 p.m.- 5 p.m.
2. A credit card will be kept on file when you pick up your Gessobord. If you do not return your Gessobord, $25 will be charged to the credit card on file. 
3. Every artist is free to create a work of art in any style (including figurative, conceptual, abstract, surreal, popular, etc.) and media (painting, printmaking, photography, and more) that depicts the theme. 
4. Board numbers are assigned, please check the back of your board for your number.
5. Before returning your board, fill out the registration form that is attached to the back of your board and the online form. Artists must complete both digital and hardcopy forms to be compensated.
6. We ask that all completed submissions be delivered to the Museum by January 18, 2026 (late submissions will be accepted, but may not be included in the opening reception).
7. Please drop off or mail your board to our store. Please do not ship any blank boards! 

December Changarrito, Chelsea Amato

About the Artist

Chelsea Amato specializes in epoxy resin mixed media collage. Her vibrant and eclectic folk artwork delves into feminist themes and the female psyche. Self-taught and experimental, she finds special significance in epoxy resin, symbolizing endurance and longevity. Through her deliberate use of materials, she creates pieces that transcend time.

Artist Statement

“Chelsea is a boundary-pushing mixed media artist whose work explores themes of femininity and trauma with a maximalist style. With a penchant for bold colors and eclectic compositions, she captivates audiences with her raw and introspective storytelling. Her pieces often delve into personal experiences, including infertility and divorce, inviting viewers to engage with the complexities of human emotion. Through her art, Chelsea challenges societal norms and encourages dialogue around mental health and resilience.”

Come visit the last Changarrito artist of 2025! Chelsea will be outside of the Museum on Dec 13 & 14 and Dec 20 & 21 from 12 – 3 p.m. 

View Chelsea’s Work

November Changarrito, Luis Abreux

About the Artist

Luis Abreux earned his Master’s degree in Fine Art, specializing in painting, in 1995 from the San Alejandro Art Academy in Havana, Cuba and attended the Taller de Técnicas Subliminales en el Arte y la Publicidad. Abreux left Cuba in 2005 and resides in Austin, Texas.

Artist Statement

With a deliberate creative process, Luis Abreux aims to evoke emotion with his work—the human, the immigrant, the memory, the interactions of constant escape and the experiences of interminable travel leading the way. Learning to pray is one series of works that analyze the unbalance of power and absence of control over his life in the past. Canvas, paper, any other materials are absorbed in an unconscious search. His work absorbs and melts the before and now, the fantasy and the reality pictured in a surrealist diary that births real experiences and the absurdities of a social experiment. Objects culture, drawings, collages, mixed techniques and other mediums are used to support diverse ideas and sensations.

Luis Abreux was at Mexic-Arte this November 8 & 9 and 15 & 16.

Changarrito Interview with Luis Abreux

View Luis’s Work

Collections

To celebrate the holidays, the Mexic-Arte Museum is pleased to present a variety of nacimientos, or nativity scenes, from the Permanent Collection.

Christmas in Mexico is a vibrant and festive holiday season with a unique set of traditions that were formed by the blending of Spanish Colonial and indigenous Mexican cultures. The Aztec people of pre-Columbian Mexico paid homage to the birth of the god Huitzilopochtli during this time of year, with celebrations that began at midnight and continued throughout the following day. When Spanish colonists brought the Christian faith to the Americas in the 16th century, missionaries noticed similarities between the Christian celebration of Christmas and the Aztec celebrations, facilitating the integration of Christianity into the lives of the indigenous people.

The tradition of setting up nacimiento can be traced back to St. Francis of Assisi. It is said that, in 1223 A.D., he journeyed to the Convent of Monte Colombo where he told an acquaintance that he wanted to celebrate Christmas by creating a nativity scene as a reminder of the birth of Christ using a live donkey and ox. When nacimentos were first introduced in Mexico, they were only set up in churches and other public places of worship. It was not until decades later when it became more common to build them in covenants and private homes. Today, the Mexican tradition of setting up a nativity scene retains its religious and spiritual significance. Each year on December 16, nacimientos are set up in homes throughout the country. As with many other art forms in Mexico, nativity scenes demonstrate the diversity and richness of its cultural ancestry. Perhaps more importantly, nacimientos capture the imagination and spirit of the people of this great country.

The Mexic-Arte Museum’s Los Nacimientos exhibition will be on display from Thursday, December 11, 2025, until Sunday, January 4, 2026.

Education

Thank you Fall 2025 Interns

Photo Credit: Jasmine Chock

On Friday, November 21, the Fall 2025 Internship Cohort concluded their time at Mexic-Arte Museum with presentations of their internship experiences. Interns had the opportunity to contribute to several of the Mexic-Arte Museum and the 5th St. Mexican American Cultural District programs.

Some highlights were organizing Museum Membership and partnerships in the Development Department; facilitating Family Days for the Education Department; accessioning the Mexic-Arte Museum Collection and learning collections information systems in the Collections Department; interviewing Changarrito Residency artists in the Curatorial Department; coordinating, rescheduling, promoting and connecting with community members for the 2025 Viva la Vida Festival in the Special Events and Marketing Department; and all aspects of Las Calaveras at Republic Square public art installation.

Overall, interns expressed the importance of engaging with and being a part of communities, continuing cultural traditions, creating art, and supporting artists because they are essential assets of our humanity. The interns were an integral part of the success of the Fall 2025 programs. We are grateful that they chose to share their talents with the Mexic-Arte Museum and the many communities we serve.

Mexic-Arte Museum currently offers paid internships to current undergraduate students in the Austin Area during the fall, spring, and summer semesters. To learn more about the program or the application guidelines, visit our Internship webpage

Photo Credit: Jasmine Chock

New Mural at Paredes Middle School – School of Unity

This fall, students at Paredes Middle School completed a mural with artists DaProphet-Jarrid Williams and Myra Roze. This mural reimagines the painting The School of Athens for the Paredes student community. The students worked together on this mural from the concept to the sketching process to painting the mural on a 20 ft-long wall in the Paredes cafeteria. 

We had the opportunity to celebrate the new mural with the student artists, Jarrid, Roze and Paredes Art Teacher Mr. Robert Ochoa. Here is a poem by Roze about the process:

“Our Hands Come Together To Paint The Bigger Picture, Our Hearts Come Together To Bring That Dream To Life. This Could Not Be Done Without Us Side By Side. Every Image You See Is A Reflection Of Us To Tell A Story For Ages To Come, Wonderfully Made In Our Own Unique Way. We Come Together United In Love.”

We are so proud of the students’ art and hard work! Thank you Jarrid, Roze, Mr. Ochoa and Paredes Middle School for facilitating this project. 

El Mero Muro-Murals in the Schools programs are supported by Austin Public Health Office of Violence Prevention. In El Mero Muro: Murals in Schools, students learn the historical significance of muralism through art history while developing valuable skills through the project’s diverse stages. Expanding El Mero Muro to public schools in the Austin area, the Museum connects students with talented muralist teaching artists who mentor Austin’s youth. These artists guide students through the design and execution of a mural inside the school premises; students conceptualize the murals, along with visual imagery about the identities, stories and lived experiences of the students from their school. 

Screen It! Program Fall 2025 – Screen Printing for K-12 Students

This fall, students at KIPP Brave High School, Travis High School, LBJ High School, Smith Elementary, Widen Elementary, Andrews Elementary, Pickle Elementary, Covington Middle School and Marshall Middle School learned about screen printing and design through Mexic-Arte Museum Screen It! program.

Some highlights include the cultural heritage designs the KIPP Brave students created, the Día de los Muertos screen printing program at Smith, Andrews and Pickle Elementary, and overall the unique creative expressions in the students’ original designs. We are so proud of all the students; they did amazing work. Screen It! serves students 6 to 17 years old. Teaching artists introduce them to the principles of screen printing and related careers in the arts, guiding them through basic introduction of screen printing techniques—from the creation of stencils to a final T-Shirt design project. 

Thank you so much to the teaching artists who facilitate these classes and school collaborations—Alé Luya Moreno, Andrea Montilva Pilonieta, Kaelyn Huang, Meredith Agerton-Diebold and Monica Bushong. The Screen It! programs for the Dove Springs Community are supported by Austin Public Health Community Youth Development. Screen It! programs for Title 1 Schools in Travis County are supported by the Austin Public Health Office of Violence Prevention.

Family Day – Story Reading with Teatro Sin Fronteras: Codex Miquiztli

Teatro Sin Fronteras did a reading of Codex Miquiztli, a multilingual children’s book about the Indigenous roots of Día de los Muertos. Readings were held at 1 p.m., 2 p.m. & 3 p.m. on Sunday, December 7, 2025.
Between readings, attendees participated in the Create-Your-Own-Codex workshop and explored the Aztec manuscripts that inspired the book.

Teatro Sin Fronteras is a Latine-oriented theatre company founded in El Paso, Texas. Founded to address a lack of theatrical programming that catered to the cultural heritage of El Paso and the people of the Borderland, their mission is to preserve, present and celebrate the Mexican American experience on the stage, with a particular focus on the history, culture and voices of the United States-Mexico Borderland. Demian Chavez Galvan, Fall 2025 Education Intern, is the founder of Teatro Sin Fronteras and facilitaed this family day. Mexic-Arte is grateful they are shared their work with us! 

Family Days are proudly supported by the HEB Tournament of Champions Charitable Trust. Thank you!

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.

News

Mexic-Arte Museum’s Holiday Party

Thank you for joining Mexic-Arte Museum for an unforgettable gathering filled with art, culture, and festive vibes!

Official Designation of the 5th St. Mexican American Cultural District by the Texas Commission on the Arts 

We celebrated the Official Commemoration of the new 5th St. Mexican American Cultural District! Thank you Gary Gibbs, Texas Commission on the Arts Executive Director, for sharing the significance of cultural districts in Texas and what this means for the community moving forward. The 5th St. Mexican American Cultural District project is a major milestone, 20 years in the making. This event is the first of many cultural district events to come. 

Development

Thank you Mexic-Arte Museum Sponsors

This holiday season, we are looking back with gratitude for all of the support from our sponsors. Together, you helped us expand programming that served thousands of students, artists and community members. Your belief in the Mexic-Arte mission is more important than ever–it’s what keeps our puerta abierta.

Whether you are a returning or brand-new sponsor, your voice matters to us. You are welcome to visit our exhibits and join us at our upcoming events and say hello. We’d love the opportunity to reflect on our year of connection with you. 

To those who are waiting for the right time, the New Year is the perfect opportunity for new supporters to get involved. Consider joining as a member, making a donation or reaching out to sponsor. The next chapter will be historic, and you are an important part of it!

Consuela Partners with Mexic-Arte Museum for Giving Tuesday – Thank You!

Connie Reed, the founder and CEO of fashion and lifestyle brand, Consuela, partnered with Mexic-Arte for a Giving Tuesday profit share campaign. The campaign featured an interview between Conni and executive director, Sylvia Orozco viewable on Vimeo, Facebook, and Instagram.

The fundraiser was a major success. The Consuela team presented the generous donation check to the museum on Thursday, December 11, at the Mexic-Arte Museum Holiday Party.

We graciously welcome Conni and the Consuela team as our newest sponsors!

H-E-B Tournament of Champions Grant Awarded to Mexic-Arte

Mexic-Arte Museum is excited to announce that it was awarded $25,000 from the H-E-B Tournament of Champions Charitable Giving Program. The grant will fund the education program and support free Sunday admission and Family Days. It is an honor to be a part of the giving program for the second year in a row.

IMLS Reinstates Grant for Latino Internship Project

After months of uncertainty, Mexic-Arte Museum received notice that the termination of its Institute of Museum and Library Sciences (IMLS) grant, which funds the Latino Internship program, was reinstated. In April, 2025, the museum was notified that the federal administration terminated the grant, along with many other institutions across the country. The museum was forced to scale down its internship program after the termination and secure partial alternative funding. The reinstatement of the grant means that the IMLS will continue supporting full cohorts of eight interns each semester until 2027. The internship program is a pillar of career-development for area university students who seek opportunities in the museum field.

Mexic-Arte Museum Attends The Texas Tribune Festival 2025

Thank you, April Brumley Hinkle and the Texas Tribune for the opportunity to be a part of this transformative event. 

In November, Mexic-Arte Museum’s development and outreach teams visited the Texas Tribune Festival. The museum representatives got to sit in on #TribFest25 conversations about arts and culture with legislators, authors, educators, and leaders in philanthropy from across the state and beyond. 

On the final day of the festival, the development team sponsored Open Congress, the public-facing feature of the program. The education team prepared a “Politics in Print” activation, which let visitors craft their own headline art and illustrations, inspired by José Guadalupe Posada, at the museum’s station. Guests of all ages showed off their creativity and values with their takeaway art.

Join us on Sundays!

Tours on Sunday – Free Admission!

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 p.m. and in Spanish at 3 p.m., 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

New Holiday Gifts In-Store!

Artists Are Invited to Apply to be in the Mexic-Arte Museum Store!

The Deadline to Apply is January 9, 2026!

Local Artists Merch & Gifts Now Featured

Local Artists

• Dollface Accesories
• Roomy ATX
• Temazcal Life
• Cuídate
• Katie Cowden
• Rachel Salcido
• CGarza Arte