A Message from the Director
Starting 2025 with a Big Thank You to Ampersand Art Supply!


We thank our dedicated and generous sponsor and art supporter Elaine Salazar and Ampersand Art Supply! For over sixteen years, Ampersand has generously donated two hundred gesso boards annually to Mexic-Arte Museum’s Mix ‘n’ Mash art exhibit.
Mix ‘n’ Mash is an Austin favorite and Mexic-Arte Museum annual group art exhibition and sale featuring over 200 artists. The works of art featured in the exhibition are created on gesso boards. The art sale not only increases awareness about the visual arts and art collecting but also funds the Museum’s education program. Art works can also be purchased through the Museum Online Store after the event.
This year’s Mix ‘n’ Mash theme, Ecos del pasado/Echoes of the Past, is inspired by the beauty and intricacies of nostalgia and is interpreted by local and regional artists on 12″ x 12″ boards. Each one draws you in and tells a story or evokes an emotion.


oil on panel, 12″ x 12″, 2025
We thank Elaine Salazar and the Ampersand team! Elaine Salazar is the President/CEO of Ampersand Art Supply, a company she began as a graduate student in the McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin. Her background in art history led her to collaborate with artist Charles Ewing to bring to market several unique painting surfaces for artists beginning in 1993. Unparalleled quality, innovative coatings, and the company’s exclusive Archiva-Seal™ are some of the many reasons artists trust Ampersand for their artwork. The company has surfaces for artists working in multiple media formats, from oils to watercolor. Elaine’s commitment to support Latino/a artists in their work has led to the company’s steadfast support of Mexic-Arte’s mission over the years. Since 2009, the company has been very proud to donate all the panels for Mexic-Arte’s Mix ‘n’ Mash artwork benefit fundraisers.
We also thank Elaine for Mexic-Arte Museum’s participation in the exhibition, The United States and Mexico: A Powerful Past, A Shared Future, at Ambassador Ken Salazar’s residence in Mexico City beginning in 2022. The exhibition is a visual narrative that explores the longstanding relationship between the United States and Mexico — a shared history of struggle and hope. The exhibition concluded in December, 2024. See link here.


In addition, we thank 2025 artists, past artists, and the community for purchasing these artworks. We invite everyone to come out and see this year’s exhibit, Ecos del Pasado/Echoes of the Past, and purchase some Mix ‘n’ Mash art! Support the arts! Support Mexic-Arte Museum!
The 5th Street Mexican American Heritage Corridor Hits a Milestone!


The 5th Street Mexican American Heritage Corridor is a visionary project driven by decades of community organizing and advocacy led by the Mexic-Arte Museum. In 2023, the City of Austin issued a Request for Qualifications for Community Outreach, selecting Mexic-Arte Museum to manage this initiative. To provide additional expertise, Mexic-Arte Museum engaged Consultant Andrew Gonzales to co-lead this project. As we begin 2025, we are pleased to report that we have completed this Community Engagement Outreach.
Throughout the year we received feedback and recommendations developed from focused outreach and engagement. Participants included district stakeholders and community members with insight into the Mexican and Mexican American cultural history of downtown Austin (including descendants of past residents and business along 5th Street) as well as current users of principal institutions, businesses, organizations, and cultural organizations located on the Corridor. We thank the City of Austin Economic Development Department staff, Matthew Schmidt, Project Manager; Juany Gomez, Contract Manager; and Donald Jackson for their guidance. We sincerely thank Martha Cotera, archivist, historian, and librarian and Paul Saldana, President of the Board of Directors and legacy family members for their leadership. Special thanks go to the Downtown Austin Alliance staff for their time and dedication to this project. We truly appreciate all the legacy family members, participants and organizations for their input given to this project.
Throughout the community engagement events, there was great support and interest in the development of the 5th Street Corridor project. One of the most important recommendations is to move forward with the Cultural District Designation Program administered by the Texas Commission on the Arts. Expanding the corridor into a cultural district will honor this historically important part of Austin attracting investment as well as visitors, tourists, and the local community. The District is defined by the geographic anchors of Republic Park on West Fifth Street to Plaza Saltillo on East 5th Street, surrounded by significant historic cultural, heritage, and community sites and value deserving of both preservation and active use. This stretch of road, though barely over a mile, includes culturally significant sites such as Brush Square and the O’Henry Museum, the Susanna Dickinson Museum, the Firehouse Museum, the Phillips Building and Plaza Saltillo. Entertainment spots include Antone’s, Comedor, Arriba y Abajo and Fair Market. Accommodations for tourists can be found at the Thompson Hotel, and the Hilton Austin.
The report outlines the foundational efforts and strategic actions taken to establish the corridor as a designated cultural district, aligning with the City Council’s directives and community aspirations. Key highlights include the identification and engagement of diverse stakeholders, such as legacy families, local businesses, and cultural and arts organizations, to collaboratively develop a vibrant cultural corridor. Through comprehensive outreach—ranging from well-attended community events to direct stakeholder engagement—the initiative has garnered overwhelming community support, with nearly all surveyed stakeholders endorsing the district’s continued development.
This intentional outreach process culminated in the formation of the 5th Street Mexican American Heritage Corridor and District Steering Committee, which includes eighteen community members representing each stakeholder group. The Steering Committee will develop the project’s mission and vision statements, emphasizing cultural preservation, community collaboration, and economic development. These principles will serve as the foundation for the corridor’s future organization and programming.
With strong partnerships, a committed Steering Committee, and a roadmap for state cultural heritage district designation, the 5th Street Mexican American Heritage Corridor is poised to become a dynamic hub for cultural pride and economic vitality in Austin, Texas. We look forward to 2025 and to moving forward on developing the 5th St. Mexican American Heritage Corridor and District.
“This district isn’t just for us—it’s for the whole city. When we celebrate the contributions of the Mexican American community, we enrich Austin as a whole. Our history is Austin’s history.”
-5th Street Business Stakeholder
By Sylvia Orozco, Executive Director and Andrew Gonzales, Consultant
Exhibitions
Join Us for the Opening Reception of Mix ‘n’ Mash: Ecos del Pasado/Echoes of the Past

Date: Friday, January 31, 2025
When: 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Where: Mexic-Arte Museum, 419 Congress, Austin, TX 78701
Live DJ: DJ Apanda
Bites & Refreshments!
Embrace Nostalgia and Come Dressed Like Your Favorite Decade!
Tax Free Night is January 31st Only!
Admission: Free for Museum Members. Become a Mexic-Arte Museum Member! $10 for non-members
$25 Special Discount on Full Year Individual Memberships at the door only!
Tickets can only be purchased in person at the Museum Store desk. No online ticket purchasing.
Parking: Please see the Museum’s Visit webpage
You’re invited to the opening reception of the Mix ‘n’ Mash Exhibit and Art Sale on January 31, 2025! Join us for a night of creativity, excitement, and celebration featuring an eclectic mix of art, food, cocktails, and great music. The evening will be filled with fun and an opportunity to explore and purchase unique art pieces. Please note that if you buy a board you can pick it up at the end of the exhibition.
Ecos del pasado/Echoes of the Past
This year’s Mix ‘n’ Mash theme, Ecos del pasado/Echoes of the Past, is inspired by the beauty and intricacies of nostalgia; these pieces reflect a diverse range of perspectives, techniques, and creative expressions. From your favorite childhood TV show, a special moment shared with a loved one, a dish, a specific smell, a trip, a place, a restaurant that does not exist any more, or even a natural landscape. We encourage you to explore and express the unique ways nostalgia manifests in your own life or in the lives of those around you. What memories, moments, or feelings does nostalgia evoke for you?
Nostalgia allows us to reconnect with who we once were, offering both reflection and renewal. In your art, we hope you will capture the beauty of this emotional tapestry—inviting others to relive the echoes of their own pasts, even as they look forward to the future.
Not only does Mix ‘n’ Mash celebrate creativity, but it also serves a greater purpose. Proceeds from the sale of these remarkable pieces directly support the museum’s exhibition programming for children and adults.
January Changarrito Artist, Steph Granillo

About the Artist
Steph Granillo is an Austin-based visual artist whose work explores the human experience primarily through improvisational quilting. Since 2018 she has been crafting vibrant, intricate pieces that capture emotional landscapes in organic forms, reflecting her connection to the environment and to storytelling.
Steph’s work has garnered recognition in the art world, with features in publications like Curated Quilts and a residency with Future Front Texas. When not creating art, Steph can be found reading, making waffles, and trying to identify all the birds that visit her garden.
Artist Statement
“My work celebrates the joy and beauty that can be found in unexpected places.
I transform forgotten textiles into dynamic, colorful compositions, using discarded clothing and household linens that would otherwise be destined for the landfill. This process not only promotes sustainability but also honors the silent stories woven into these fabrics.
My artistic approach balances deliberate design with spontaneous creation, allowing the unique characteristics of each textile to guide the work. The resulting pieces are both carefully crafted and organically evolved, sparking conversation about sustainability, memory, and overlooked beauty in everyday life.”
Steph will be at the Mexic-Arte Museum featuring her artwork on the Changarrito cart right outside the Museum’s entrance on January 18-19 & 26 from 12 – 3 PM.
You’re invited to Mexic-Arte Museum’s Changarrito Instagram Live event with artist Steph Granillo, taking place virtually through the Museum’s Instagram account @mexic_arte on January 30th at 5pm! Luisa Fernanda Perez, Mexic-Arte Museum’s Curator of Exhibitions and Director Of Programs, will facilitate the virtual event with a series of questions directed at the artist including a Q&A taking place during the last 20 minutes of the event.
Follow us on Instagram for updates on original work available for purchase and behind the scenes of the artist’s work, space, and creative process!
December Changarrito Artist, Christine Suggs

Thank you to the last 2024 Changarrito resident artist, Christine Suggs! Christine was at the Mexic-Arte Museum featuring their artwork on the Changarrito cart right outside the Museum’s entrance in December. Mexic-Arte Museum’s Curator Luisa Fernanda Perez interviewed Christine and discussed some of their works and future projects. View the conversation here.
About the Artist
Christine Suggs is a comic artist and designer living in Dallas, TX with their wonderful partner, dog, and cat. Their debut book, ¡AY MIJA! is a YA (Young Adult) graphic novel about spending their summers in Mexico as a teen and was released in spring 2023 from Little Brown Young Readers. Christine’s work has been featured in the Washington Post, Lean In, Central Market, and the It Gets Better Project.
Artist Statement
“I am half-Mexican, and as such, always felt in-between worlds: I was too white, too Mexican, and never enough. My book, “¡AY, MIJA! My Bilingual Summer in Mexico” crystallizes these feelings into a graphic novel memoir about teenage Christine on a trip to stay with their grandparents. They struggle with language, their queerness and how it relates to their Catholic upbringing, and the weird but wonderful feeling of a family that you can’t fully communicate with. I seek to explore the intersectionality of my experiences through creating comics and illustrations about gender, race, language, fatness, and inequality.”
Check out Christine’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.
Collections
From the Mix ‘n’ Mash Collection: Artist Toto

Throughout the years, Mexic-Arte has acquired Mix ‘n’ Mash boards for the permanent collection. This month, Mexic-Arte highlights the artist Toto’s La caida de mi pueblo.
Mix’n’Mash derived from the terms “mix-and-match” (to combine elements in a harmonious and interesting way) and “mash-up” (a work that blends two or more songs or pieces of art from different genres). Mix’n’Mash is an original concept by Mexic-Arte Museum, which refers not only to the mashing of genres into one work of art, but also to the mixing of work by various artists to create a unique collector’s set. A group exhibition displaying artworks by 200+ local and regional artists created on quality Gessobord panels donated by Ampersand Art Supply. Each limited-edition Mix ‘n’ Mash artwork is uniquely crafted for the exhibition with all proceeds from Mix ‘n’ Mash supporting the museum’s programming for children and adults.
As a Cuban-Guatemalan artist in a white-dominated space, Toto focuses on stories of people of color. The artist lets each person’s story lead the artistic process in the same way the story of the elephant leads his artistic process. Other times, the artist will rework stories originally meant for a white audience, re-directing the narrative towards and about people of color. He enjoys going into Latino communities to paint murals or into schools to run workshops and art education, and to help provide art supplies where they are needed. The baby elephants were forever negatively affected by their environments, and so the artist hopes to have the opposite effect on his community: contributing something positive to their environment that will affect them forever, for the better.
Please come visit the Mexic-Arte Museum’s upcoming exhibition, 2025 Mix’n’Mash: Ecos del pasado/ Echoes of the Past from January 31st to March 2nd, 2025 to view pieces from a variety of amazing artists and get a chance to own a piece yourself! All proceeds from Mix ‘n’ Mash supporting the museum’s programming for children and adults.
Education
Totally Cool, Totally Art! Opens February 14th!


The Mexic-Arte Museum is once again very excited to partner with the City of Austin and the Parks and Recreation Department to present the annual exhibition Totally Cool Totally Art (TCTA), featuring artwork done by youth in grades 7th through 12th – including painting, sculpture, metalsmithing and culinary art. The exhibit will be open to the public from February 14-28, and a reception will be held on Thursday, February 20th for families, instructors, coordinators, and facilitators to recognize the artists, artworks and partnerships that support the exhibition.
Totally Cool Totally Art (TCTA) has been developing teen creativity and confidence since 1996. TCTA is unique in that their classes are completely free to Austin’s youth teen community. Teens learn various techniques by working directly alongside professional artists and the program reinforces positive choices by offering art appreciation in a mentoring environment. Their mission is to help give teens new experiences, build respect and trust, and improve their skills in creative expression, communication, teamwork, and art appreciation. Thank you to all participants and to our friends at the Parks and Recreation Department for their efforts on this wonderful exhibition!
Join us for Family Day with TCTA! Sponsored by H-E-B

When: Sunday, February 23, 2025, 1:00–4:00PM
Where: Mexic-Arte Museum, 419 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701 | Admission: FREE, Thanks to H-E-B!
This special, free-of-charge event is perfect for youth and families of all ages! All art supplies will be provided. Family Day and admission is free every Sunday, thanks to H-E-B.
While at the museum, explore the exhibitions on view:
Mix n’ Mash: Ecos del Pasado/Echoes of the Past
Totally Cool Totally Art: Juried Teen Art Exhibition
Please reach out to the Mexic-Arte Museum Education team for any questions or concerns!
Fabiana Muñoz- Education Associate:
Jasmine Chock- Art Education Program Coordinator:
Richard Greene- Education & Outreach Coordinator:
Apply to Be an Intern at the Mexic-Arte Museum this Spring 2025!


Through the Latino Museum Internship Expansion Project, Mexic-Arte is pleased to offer internship programs designed to advance individuals’ careers in studying American Latinx life, art, history, and culture. 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.
Available internship departments include Collections, Curatorial, Development, Digital Media, Education, Graphic Design, Preparator, and Special Events & Marketing.
Spring Internships run for ten weeks with a minimum commitment of 10 hours per week during office hours (Monday-Thursday 9 am-6 pm and Friday 9 am-5 pm), at a rate of $22/h. The deadline for applications is February 7th, 2025. We strongly encourage applications from students who identify as members of underrepresented groups in the museum field and the arts.
To apply, please visit the Internship page on our website. Join a community of interns to gain professional skills and learn about museum practices!
Screen It! Starts in Schools Spring Semester


Students have returned to class and are enjoying the Screen It! program. Screen It! is the Mexic-Arte Museum’s award winning art education program that provides screen printing projects led by professional artists and designers to Title 1 schools in Travis County and schools in Dove Springs. Mexic-Arte Museum partners with the art educators at these schools to facilitate a t-shirt design and printing project. Students learn about the Mexic-Arte Museum and current exhibitions, how to make stencils using accessible materials and supplies, and how to screen print.
Students at Paredes Middle School and Harmony School of Innovation have begun their screen printing project and we are so proud of their hard work! We have partnered with these schools for the past 3 years and we are so grateful to continue our partnerships.
Thank you to the art teachers- Ms. Izzy Porter-Hyatt, Mr. Eduardo Martinez and Mr. Robert Ochoa for hosting the program. Thank you to teaching artists Marietta Aburto de la Fuente, Meredith Agerton Dibold, Monica Bushong, Kaelyn Huang, Andrea Montilva-Pilonieta, Alé Moreno and Angel Ortega for sharing their artistic practices and facilitating these classes. Thank you to Austin Public Health Community Youth Development and Office of Violence Prevention for funding these programs.
Save the Date for Free Summer Camps with Mexic-Arte Museum!

Attention youth and parents! Mexic-Arte Museum will host summer camps for printmaking and fashion design in 2025! Are you looking for something interesting to do this summer? Do you want to learn a new skill? Are you interested in art, community and fashion? The Mexic-Arte Museum in partnership with Austin Central Library will offer the camp: Nuestro Estilo/Our Style. COME JOIN US!
Save the date: July 7-12, 2025 Nuestro Estilo Summer Camp
When: 10am-2pm daily July 7-11; Fashion Show July 12
Where: Austin Central Library 6th Floor, 710 W Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78701
FREE TO PARTICIPATE!
In this camp, participants will learn about indigenous garment and textile-making traditions from Mexico while exploring identity. They will learn techniques of embroidery, natural dyes, sewing, printmaking and more to work in teams to create their own clothing. The camp will conclude with a fashion showcase. This program is free with registration.
Register here for information!


We will also have Nuestro Mundo Summer Camp at the Mendez Community Love Hub in June and a second session at Austin Public Library Southeast. Dates to come soon.
In Nuestro Mundo, students will focus on building and strengthening their community through art and education. Led by museum art educators participants will identify a change they wish to see in the world. Each student will create an infographic poster using silkscreen printing technology, an accessible process used by artists and activists to quickly reproduce images and information. The purpose of these posters will be to communicate to the public the necessity of social change in an area of importance to the students.
An artwork from each student will be displayed at the Austin Central Library in the Teen Room at the conclusion of the camp. Stay in touch with us for the dates of the two sessions of Nuestro Mundo.
Questions about summer programs? Contact Jasmine Chock: Art Education Program Coordinator 512-200-7273
Development
Thank you Siete Family Foods for Supporting Mexic-Arte Museum!


Thank you to Siete Family Foods for their generous donation! It is because of sponsors like Siete Family Foods that Mexic-Arte Museum is able to continue putting on the programming that we do.
Interested in becoming apart of the Mexic-Arte family and staying connected to Austin’s art scene? Join as a member and receive exclusive benefits from Museum store discounts to free admission to special events! Become a member below or come see us in person. We are very excited to welcome you to the family!
Become Part of the Mexic-Arte Family!

For any membership questions, email our Development Coordinator, Alyssa Sanchez at . Join us at the opening reception of Mix ‘n’ Mash: Ecos del Pasado/Echoes of the Past on January 31st from 6:00-9:00pm to get a $25 Special Discount on Full Year Individual Memberships at the door only!
Amplify Austin Day 2025!

When: March 5-6
Early giving begins January 29th!
The Mexic-Arte Museum invites you to participate in Amplify Austin, the biggest giving event in Central Texas! Join thousands of community members on March 5-6, 2025 for a 24-hour celebration of giving that benefits over 700 local nonprofits across Central Texas. Amplify Austin Day is your chance to make a meaningful impact. Mark your calendars—Amplify Austin Day is the moment to help lift up our community, so let’s amplify the impact, together!
Mexic-Arte Museum is the heart of Latinx culture in downtown Austin. For over 40 years, this museum has provided outstanding cultural programming, unique educational opportunities, and innovative exhibitions. Nearly 50,000 people walk through the doors of Mexic-Arte each year, leaving with a deeper understanding of the rich contribution Latinx individuals have made to Texas, and the United States as a whole. Internally, the Museum has served as a pipeline for the development of emerging Latinx artists and emerging arts administrators as well as a spotlight for established Latinx artists.
Store
Welcome Store Associates!

Howdy, my name is Keyla Castellanos born and raised in Mission, Texas. My love for the arts stems from my musical background. I’m very much an arts enthusiast that loves attending live concerts, exploring nature, record shops, and traveling.
Growing up performing in Mariachi and Orchestra led me to memorable experiences to join our Mariachi and Folklorico groups at the 2013 Inaugural Parade in Washington D.C. Fast forward to the present, I am a Full Sail Alumni with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Business, an Event Coordinator with the City of Austin, Mentor with Seedling, and committed to continue making a positive impact at Mexic-Arte Museum. Inspired by my cultural roots and community, I strive to contribute authenticity in the arts.
I am excited to expand my creative connections and be surrounded with passionate innovators. I believe that a positive attitude is essential and value making a long lasting impact.

My name is Ivett Ramirez, and I recently graduated from the University of Texas with a Bachelor of Science in Textiles and Apparel. I have a deep passion for textiles, science, art, and history, which drive my creativity and curiosity. In my free time, I love crocheting, reading, painting, and playing tennis.
Shop the Mexic-Arte Museum Store!

Shop our Valentine’s Day Collection! Find the perfect gift for your loved ones!
Thank You to Our Sponsors

Learn more about the Mexic-Arte Museum
Operations, Exhibition and Art Education Programs Support: Air Garage, Alpha Ready Mix Cement, Ampersand Art Supply, Applied Materials, Arriba Abajo, Austin Convention Center, Austin Creative Reuse, Austin Independent School District Creative Classrooms, Austin Lowriding, Austin Saltillo Sister Cities Association, Peter M. Baez, Michael Best, the Brown Foundation, Brown Distributing Company, Capital Printing, Chase Bank, Chez Zee, Juan & Martha Cortera, Christina Corona, Center for Mexican American Studies – UT, 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, Dulce Vida, Endeavor Real Estate Group, Fenix Post Tension, Inc., Fonda San Miguel, Ford Foundation, Frost Bank, Frutiva, Tom Gilliland, Juan J Gutierrez, Charlotte Hage Dalbey, Bob & Marisa O’Dell, Jennifer Hage Bond, Patricia Hage Hirsh, Robin Suzanne Hage, H-E-B, H-E-B Tournament of Champions, Hendler Flores Law, IBC Bank, IBM, Institute of Museum & Library Services, Ed Jordan, JP’s Peace Love & Happiness Foundation, La Voz, Linbeck, LMN/Page, Ann McEldowney, Bettina & Travis Mathis, Mellon Foundation, Miguel Lara Productions, Graves Dougherty Hearon Moody, Gloria Moore, Timothy Morris, National Endowment for The Arts, National Endowment for the Humanities, Nettie & M.K. Hage Family, Pastrana & Garcia Injury Law, Laurel Prats, Gloria Reyna, Red River Rising, Elizabeth Rogers, Paul Saldaña, Saldaña Public Relations, Serie Print Project, Siete, Silcone Labs, Siller Preffered Services, Sonrisas Dental Center, Spurs, State Farm, Susto Mezcal, Ingrid and James Taylor, Texas Commission of the Arts, Texas Gas Service, Texas Tribune, Thompson Austin, UFCU, Univision, Warfield Center, Lola Wright Foundation, Jerome Zamora, Jane & Manuel Zuniga, and Mark Zuniga, 3M – Austin