A Message from the Director
Ending the Year with Great News and Looking Forward to 2024
We end the year with great news! On Thursday, Dec. 14th, the City Council authorized 5th Street Mexican American Heritage Corridor outreach project. Mexic-Arte Museum will assist the Economic Development Department in identifying and connecting with stakeholders and community interest groups to craft a vision for the enhancement of the 5th Street Mexican American Heritage Corridor.
A map of the Mexican American History and Heritage 5th Street Corridor (original name), which connects Republic Park on West 5th to Saltillo Plaza on East 5th Street, was conceptualized and named by Mexic-Arte Museum in the 2000s. In 2011, Austin City Council passed a resolution calling for the development of the 5th Street Mexican American Heritage Corridor.
The Mexican and Mexican American communities settled in what is today “downtown” Austin during the 1870s. Until 1927, Mexican cultural, political, and family events like the Diez y Seis celebration were held at Republic Square. Located at 5th St. and Guadalupe St., and then known as Mexican Park, the neighborhood surrounding Republic Square was nearly synonymous with Austin’s Mexican population by 1905. During that time, the park was the center of downtown Austin’s first Mexican neighborhood, and many businesses and churches flourished. 5th Street was a key transportation route and boasted many important sites for the Mexican American community. In 2013, Mexic-Arte Museum worked with the Austin History Center to present the Austin’s Mexico – A Forgotten Neighborhood online exhibition on the website.
Today, Mexic-Arte Museum is the anchor of the 5th Street Mexican American Heritage Corridor, and 5th Street continues to be an important street for the Mexican American community. We thank the City Council for their support of this project. We thank and recognize Board Members Paul Saldana and Martha Cotera, Mexic-Arte Development Coordinator Adrienne Brown, and Matthew Schmidt and Juany Torres from the Economic Development Department, for supporting this project and working to achieve this important milestone. We look forward to seeing all of you at the Mexic-Arte Museum in 2024 for another great year.
We are so grateful to you, our supporters, who inspired us and made accomplishments and successes in 2023 possible. Mexic-Arte Museum relies on support from the community to produce compelling exhibitions, exciting cultural events, and quality art education services. Your contributions have allowed us to serve the growing number of students and families in Austin this year. Thank you, and Happy Holidays!
We invite you to make your end-of-year donation to Mexic-Arte Museum and support the
art exhibitions and award-winning education programs that strengthen our community!
Executive Director
Sylvia Orozco
Exhibitions
El Nacimiento Now Open!
El Nacimiento, Photo Credit: Maia Castillo
To celebrate the holidays, the Mexic-Arte Museum is pleased to present a variety of nacimientos, or nativity scenes, from the Permanent Collection, with assistance of the generous donations of Edwin R. Jordan. The nacimientos on display features Mexico City, Tzintzunztan, and Michoacan.
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 nativities in this exhibition are part of the Museum’s Permanent Collection, as well as have been generously donated and loaned by Edwin R. Jordan.
See a glimpse of Nacimientos on our Instagram.
El Nacimiento will be on display from December 15, 2023 until January 7, 2024.
December Changarrito Artist, Lisa Saldivar
About the Artist
Lisa is a visual artist and designer from Houston, Texas. In 2019, she completed her master’s in design studies from Centro de Diseño, Cine y Televisión. She has over five years experience as a Creative Director and 10 years as a designer and illustrator. As an artist, her work is based on healing the generational trauma and the cultural identity of the Chicanx community, and identifying what is lost for our culture during the process of assimilation into dominant white culture.
In the summer of 2019, she retraced her Grandmother’s footsteps from Mexico to the US border to paint murals in memory of the 283 people who passed away crossing the border in 2018. Her work has been inducted into the Library of Congress in Washington DC, and she has been involved in mural and design festivals around the world, including London Design Festival, Barrio Vivo in Mexico City and Futura Morelia. In 2020, she launched Reverse Assimilation, a podcast + multimedia art project examining the decolonization of Chicanx identity through dialogue and art.
The Changarrito artist for December 2023, Lisa Saldivar, presented her work on the Changarrito cart at Mexic-Arte Museum on December 9th from 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM CST.
You can see and learn more about Lisa’s work here.
About Changarrito 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. True to the Mexic-Arte Museum’s mission, the Changarrito is dedicated to the presentation and promotion of contemporary Latinx and Latin American art. Artists sell their art on the Changarrito cart in front of the Museum (or an offsite location, as a representative for the Museum during various Austin festivals). It 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.
January 2024 Changarrito Artist, Juan de Dios Mora
Artist Statement
“I have lived in a border town (Laredo, TX) where different cultures clash and yet expressions and emotions coalesce. However here in the US, its traditions, racism, and stereotypes have introduced me to the reality of being an immigrant in a different country.
Working representationally and sometimes with the surreal I portray images of the typical Mexican American’s life, iconography, and beliefs. My objective is to bring people together, with sentimental, satirical, sarcastic, and comical themes. I hope to evoke self-awareness and then to superimpose that awareness on the experiences of life.”
Come see Juan and support him when he is at the museum January 20th, 21st, 27th, and 28th. He will be interviewed by Isabel Servantez, the Curator of Exhibitions and Director of Programs on Instagram Live on Thursday, January 25th at 5:00pm.
Mix ‘n’ Mash: Celebrating Austin! Don’t Forget to Turn in Your Gessobords! Sponsored by Ampersand
February 2, 2024 – March 3, 2024
Mix ‘n’ Mash is a group exhibition displaying artworks by 200+ local and regional artists created on quality panels donated by Ampersand Art Supply. Each limited-edition Mix ‘n’ Mash artwork is uniquely crafted for the exhibition, and all proceeds from Mix ‘n’ Mash support the museum’s programming for children and adults.
This group exhibition (previously known as Mix ‘n’ Mash) explores and celebrates Austin, Texas. Austin is the political and historical center of Texas. It is the home to people the world over, coming to participate in its politics, enjoy the beauty of its surrounding hill country, feast on the cuisine that abounds from it, and revel in the live music for which it is famous, among other things. This year Mexic-Arte celebrates the large and small of what makes Austin weird, interesting, timeless, and robust. Austin, home to people from all over the world and the state capital continues to inspire those that come to visit and live here. Mexic-Arte Museum, which has called Austin home for nearly 40 years invites its community to celebrate all things Austin with this year’s Mix ‘n’ Mash exhibition.
For more information on participation please visit our website.
Completed Gessobords are to be returned to Mexic-Arte Museum by Sunday, January 14,
2024 at 5:00 PM.
We thank Ampersand for generously donating two hundred 12” x 12” eco-friendly and archival quality Gessobords.
About the Opening Reception on February 2, 2024:
- The Mix ‘n’ Mash Exhibit and Art Sale
- Demos by Ampersand
- Cocktails, food, music, and great fun!
- The public is encouraged to purchase one or more panels to create their own diptychs, triptychs, and more.
- The reception will take place from 6:00pm to 9:00pm
Thank you for considering this unique collaborative opportunity, we hope that you will join us!
Collections
Nacimientos – Christmas Represented by Tzintzuntzan
To celebrate the holidays, the Mexic-Arte Museum is pleased to present Nacimientos, or nativity scenes, and other ceramics from Tzintzuntzan, Michoacán from the Permanent Collection. These objects were generously donated by Edwin Rudolph Jordan.
The ceramic style that is popular in Tzintzuntzan is known as “blanco y negro” (typically manganese black over a background of kaolin white with a lead free glaze). The cream-colored Nativity Scene is by Consuelo Rendón. The artisan is from Tzintzuntzan, a city in the state of Michoacán, Mexico located on the eastern shore of Lake Pátzcuaro. This style is often used to represent scenes of everyday life.
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 Americans 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. In 1223 A.D. It is said 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 16th, nacimientos are set up in homes throughout the country.
Mexic-Arte’s Nacimientos will be on display from December 15th, 2023 till January 7th, 2024.
Education
Mexic-Arte Museum Currently Offers Paid Internships to College Undergraduate Students!
The Mexic-Arte Museum has served as a pipeline for the professional development of emerging Latinx artists and arts administrators, as well as given a spotlight to established Latinx artists. The Museum aims to train the next generation of museum professionals by offering career opportunities that equip individuals with the necessary skills to thrive as members of the arts professional workforce, creating a new generation of Latinx leadership in Central Texas and beyond.
Through the Latino Museum Internship Expansion Project, Mexic-Arte supports museum-based undergraduate internship programs designed to advance individuals’ careers in studying American Latinx life, art, history, and culture. Mexic-Arte recognizes the importance of interns and seeks flexible, positive, organized, and self-motivated candidates who can work independently and collaboratively in a professional setting. Interns will apply their creativity, critical thinking skills, and enthusiasm to various projects under the mentorship of Mexic-Arte Museum professionals.
We are so grateful to the Institute of Museum and Library Services for supporting us as we grow our Internship Program.
To apply please visit the Internship page on our website.
We strongly encourage applications from students who identify as members of underrepresented groups in the museum field and the arts.
We are accepting applications for Spring 2024, the deadline to apply is January 10, 2024.
- Rate: $20/hr
- You must complete 10 hours weekly
- The Internship period is 10 weeks
Join the Mexic-Arte Museum!
To apply please go to our Internships page on our website or email your resume and cover letter to
Fall 2023 Interns
We want to thank all of our Fall 2023 interns for their incredible work during this semester. Interns are an integral part of the Mexic-Arte team as they bring enthusiasm and energy to our programming.
Gracias!
Marietta Abutro – Education Intern. During her internship, Marietta assisted in Mexic-Arte’s art programs in schools.
Molly Awalt – Collections Intern. During her internship Molly earned experience accessioning objects, learning preservation techniques, and learning Mexic-Arte’s database system.
Joey Holbert – Graphic Design Intern. During Joey’s internship he assisted in designing merchandise and graphics for the museum.
Intern Spotlight
“I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to be Mexic-Arte Museum’s Collections intern this fall semester. The information I have learned about accessioning, digitization, and accessibility in the arts is invaluable, and I will use that knowledge in the field going forward. Thank you to my internship supervisor Amy Anderson and the entire Mexic-Arte team for taking me in and helping to make my senior year at UT Austin unforgettable. Happy holidays!”
-Molly Awalt
Unity Mural at Blackshear Elementary School Opening Reception
Stacy Silva, in collaboration with talented 5th-grade art students from Blackshear Elementary, recently unveiled a captivating mural called UNITY, showcasing the power of creativity and teamwork. The culmination of their artistic journey was marked by a festive ribbon-cutting ceremony that drew a crowd of proud parents and guardians. The event buzzed with excitement as students immersed themselves in the celebration. A notable highlight was a moving speech delivered by a standout 5th grader, emphasizing the importance of unity and artistic expression. The festivities were enhanced with a delightful spread of pan dulce and beverages. Special thanks were extended to our supporting sponsor, City of Austin Office of Violence Prevention, whose contributions made the event possible.
View more of Stacy’s work here.
Special Events
40th Annual Viva la Vida Video by James San Miguel
The 40th Annual Viva la Vida Parade & Festival is Austin’s largest and longest-running Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) event. This year’s event took place on October 28, 2023 from 12 – 6pm in downtown Austin. This year’s event featured a grand procession and street festival (from Colorado to Brazos) with artist vendors, live music, food trucks, and community altars. Art activities for children and families were available in the neighboring Frost Bank Tower Plaza, where the public could take pictures with parade props, including large-scale moving sculptures and mojigangas. This event is co-sponsored by the City of Austin.
Catrina Dinner Gala Video by James San Miguel
The annual Catrina Dinner took place on October 15, 2023 at 5:30 pm. This year’s event returns to Fonda San Miguel to commemorate 39 years of acclaimed exhibitions, education programs, and cultural events. The event is designed to bring a festive, delightful experience and includes informative programming, with an update on our building project, the new additions to collections and an art auction. We encouraged dressing up with Catrina themed masks and makeup, making for an artful evening.
Development
Happy New Year Mexic-Arte Family!
We’ve had a wonderful 2023 together, and we’d like to invite you to support an even better 2024! Every dollar that goes into Mexic-Arte is invested right back into you, the community, in the form of exhibitions, programs, and events.
We have an ambitious goal for end of year giving this year – $1,000 – because we had such a fantastic Giving Tuesday! Y’all came through in a big way, and we know you’re about to do it again.
We appreciate your support in all of its forms: membership, donations, visits, and sharing Mexic-Arte’s mission. Mexic-Arte Museum stands because of your sustained support and effort. Please accept our heartfelt thanks for your gift!
We hope you can make a donation today and forward this email along to your contact list! Thank you again and Happy Holidays!
Give the Gift of Membership!
This time of year brings happiness, love, and light. With your help, it can bring something else – art! Everyone has someone on their list that seems IMPOSSIBLE to shop for. Be stumped no longer! Send them a Mexic-Arte Museum annual membership for the gift that keeps on giving the whole year.
Aside from free admission year round, members gain access to early sale prices, exclusive events, and store discounts. Your lucky giftee can look forward to a fantastic year packed with world-class exhibitions and cultural events.
Mexic-Arte Museum, as always, has an exciting slate prepared for the 2024 season, and we can’t wait to share it with you. Art is beautiful in and of itself, but it becomes so much more when we are empowered to share it. We hope to share the art we so love with you and yours in the coming year.
“In the pre-Hispanic world everything in the life of the people was artistic, from the palaces and temples which are monumental works of sculpture, with their magnificent frescoes that amaze everyone peering at them in the jungle, down to the most humble pot used daily, and the children’s toys, and the stone to grind grain. Everything was a work of art, ninety-nine percent of the time, a masterpiece.”
– Diego Rivera
Store
Shop the Mexic-Arte Museum Store!
Check out our store! Shop item inspired by current exhibitions and more!
Thank You to Our Sponsors
Learn more about the Mexic-Arte Museum
Operations, Exhibition and Art Education Programs Support: Ampersand Art Supply, Applied Materials, Austin Convention Center, Austin Independent School District Creative Classrooms, Austin Lowriding, Peter M. Baez, Michael Best, the Brown Foundation, Brown Distributing Company, Capital Printing, Chase Bank, City of Austin Departments: Cultural Arts Division; Economic Development; Health Department; Community Youth Development Program; Parks & Recreation; Public Works; and Special Events, Clay Imports, Consulate General of Mexico in Austin, Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages, Erwin Cuellar, Libby & Congressman Lloyd Doggett, Downtown Austin Alliance, Dr. Karen Davalos, Endeavor Real Estate Group, Fenix Post Tension, Inc., Fonda San Miguel, Ford Foundation, Tom Gilliland, GoDaddy, GTOPs Capacity, Juan J Gutierrez, Charlotter Hage Dalbey, Jennifer Hage Bond, Patricia Hage Hirsh, Robin Suzanne Hage, H-E-B, H-E-B Tournament of Champions, Hendler Flores Law, Humanities Texas, IBC Bank, IBM, Institute of Museum & Library Services, JP’s Peace Love & Happiness Foundation, La Voz, Linbeck, LMN/Page, Ann McEldowney, Bettina & Travis Mathis, Mellon Foundation, National Endowment for The Arts, National Endowment for the Humanities, Nettie & M.K. Hage Family, Laurel Prats, Elizabeth Rogers, Juan Antonio Sandoval Jr., Rosa Santis & Pedro SS Services, Serie Print Project, Siete, Delia Sifuentes, Silcone Labs, Spurs, State Farm – Alejandra de la Torre, Susto Mezcal, Ingrid and James Taylor, Texas Commission of the Arts, Texas Gas Service, Thompson Austin, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Univision 62, Univision Radio, Warfield Center, Waterloo Greenway, Lola Wright Foundation, Jane & Manuel Zuniga, and Mark Zuniga, 3M – Austin.