Miembros Newsletter: January 2026

A Message from the Director

Starting 2026 with Gratitude!

We thank our dedicated and generous sponsor and art supporter, Elaine Salazar, and Ampersand Art Supply! For over seventeen 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 which features over 200 artists. The works of art featured in the exhibition are created on professional quality gesso boards. The art sale not only increases awareness about art and collecting but also raises funds for the museum. Artworks can also be purchased through the museum online store after the event.

This year’s Mix‘n’ Mash theme, On Repeat: The Musicians Who Shaped Us, is inspired by musicians and performers who have made a lasting impact and is interpreted by local and regional artists on 12″ x 12″ boards.

We thank Elaine Salazar and the Ampersand team! Elaine Salazar is the President/CEO of Ampersand Art Supply, a company that 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 several unique painting surfaces for artists to market 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.

In addition, we thank the artists and the community members for purchasing these artworks. We invite everyone to come out and see this year’s exhibit, On Repeat: The Musicians Who Shaped Us, and purchase Mix‘n’ Mash art! Support the arts! Support Mexic-Arte Museum!

The 5^th St. Mexican American Cultural District Is Designated by the TCA – Thank You!

The 5th Street Mexican American Heritage Corridor, now an official cultural district recognized by the Texas Commission on the Arts, is a visionary project driven by decades of community organizing and advocacy led by Mexic-Arte Museum. Beginning in 2023 through 2025, with support from the City of Austin, Mexic-Arte Museum engaged consultant, Andrew Gonzales, to co-lead this project and the Community Engagement Outreach phase.

There are so many individuals and organizations that contributed to the making the designation of the 5^th St. Mexican American Cultural District a reality. We are grateful to Andrew Gonzales; the Mexic-Arte Museum, Board of Directors and staff; all the participants, including district stakeholders and community members who added 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 Torres, 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 project. Our goal was to move forward with the Cultural Districts Program administered by the Texas Commission on the Arts. Through an application process to the TCA, the 5^th St. Mexican American Cultural District was selected and awarded the designation. 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 5^th Street to Plaza Saltillo on East 5^th 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.

With strong partnerships, a committed Steering Committee and state cultural heritage district designation, the 5th St. Mexican American Cultural District is poised to become a dynamic hub for cultural pride and economic vitality in Austin, Texas. We look forward to developing the 5th St. Mexican American Cultural District.

We are also grateful to Paul Saldana, President and the Mexic-Arte Museum Board of Directors, our generous supporters, all the staff members, interns (sponsored by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, IMLS) and volunteers for their work and support throughout 2025. The museum is fortunate to have this dedicated group of individuals that contribute their talents to the museum to produce incredible exhibitions and public and education programs throughout the year. We are truly grateful. We look forward to another great year in 2026!

Executive Director

Sylvia Orozco

Exhibitions

Join Mexic-Arte to Celebrate the New Iteration of Mix ‘n’ Mash! 

In this year’s Mix ‘n’ Mash, Mexic-Arte invited artists to honor the musicians and performers who have made a lasting impact. The exhibition features work by more than 200 local and regional artists, each created on high-quality panels generously donated by Ampersand Art Supply.

The artworks celebrate the people behind the sound; legendary figures, emerging artists, and local musicians whose voices, styles, and stories continue to shape culture. Spanning genres, traditions, and generations from around the world, the exhibition reflects music’s universal influence.

Through realism, abstraction, symbolism, and reinterpretation, artists capture the energy of performance, the intimacy of creation, and the qualities that make these musicians unforgettable. Together, these works highlight the power of music and the individuals who continue to shape how we listen, feel, and connect.

Mix ‘n’ Mash

Mix’n’Mash is derived from the terms “mix-and-match” (to combine elements harmoniously and interestingly) 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. 

The art sale increases awareness about the community’s visual arts and art collecting, 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 museum’s online store.

Thank You! The professional quality acid-free panels used by the artists are Gessobords, made in Austin, Texas and generously donated by Ampersand Art Supply. 

Opening Reception will be on Friday, January 30, 2026 from 6-9 PM. 

Only a Few Boards Left – Drop Off Extended to January 25th

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 25, 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! 

Join Mexic-Arte Museum for Mix ‘n’ Mash – On Repeat: The Musicians Who Shaped Us

Date: Friday, January 30, 2026

When: 6 pm – 9 pm

Where: 419 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701

Admission: $10 GA | FREE FOR MEMBERS & MnM ARTISTS

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

Special $25 Individual Memberships Available for Purchase Opening Night

In this year’s Mix ‘n’ Mash, Mexic-Arte invited artists to honor the musicians and performers who have made a lasting impact on them and the world. The exhibition features work by more than 200 local and regional artists, each created on high-quality panels generously donated by Ampersand Art Supply.

Ticket Includes:

• The Mix ‘n’ Mash Exhibit Opening & Art Sale
• Tasty Bites
• (2) Drink Tickets
• DJ Montez
• Art Activity

Buy Tickets Now!

During the reception you will be able to purchase boards, they can be picked up at the end of the exhibition: March 8, 2026 – if you have any questions about purchasing please reach out to our store at  

Sponsored By

Parking Instructions:

Welcome to the First 2026 Changarrito Resident: Jacob Garza! 

About the Artist

Jacob M Garza Jr is an artist, educator and academic advisor born and raised in San Antonio, TX, now rooted in Austin. When he is not creating, he can be found enjoying pan de dulce or exploring nature trails. He currently works with Breakthrough Central Texas, supporting first gen-students through mentorship, college access and community building and serves as an spring intern with DORF. His creative practice explores memory and identity, often shaped by family stories and lived experience. Jacob’s work has been featured in VoyageHouston, Aspire 2 Inspire, Love & Chaos and Glasstire. He earned his BFA in Studio Arts with a concentration in Painting from Texas State University and has led art and museum education programs in both Texas and Wisconsin.

Artist Statement

I’m a multidisciplinary artist, community educator and advisor born and baked in the South Texas sun. Originally from San Antonio, TX but now based in Austin, TX. I use art as a sacred tool, inspired by the ideas of mysticism as a lens to explore: spaces, memory, and identity. Through my work I aim to create atmospheric scenes that are meditative. Motivated by my family’s migration stories and tales from within my barrio. Inspired by artists like Ivan Montoya and his use of symbolism with the Mexican diaspora and Sky Glabush with his use of color and landscape.

View Jacob’s Work

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.”

Chelsea was at the Museum on Dec 13 & 14 and Dec 20 & 21 from 12 – 3 p.m. 

View Chelsea’s Work

Collections

In honor of the current exhibition, 2026 Mix’n’Mash- On Repeat: The Musicians Who Shaped Us, the Mexic-Arte Museum highlights Mix’n’Mash boards that have been added to the permanent collection over the years. This month, Mexic-Arte highlights the artists Robert Jackson Harrington and Nikki Diaz.

Robert Jackson Harrington creates drawings and sculptural installations from everyday materials that center on the concept of potential. Recent exhibitions include With Regards to Drawing at Lubbock Christian University, Lubbock, Texas and C Wut Stix, at Bill’s Junk in Houston, Texas. Currently he directs the Museum of Pocket Art and is a member of the Center for Experimental Practice and the curatorial collective, Los Outsiders, based in Austin, TX. “These are the definitions I work with. Drawing, an arrangement of marks on a surface. Painting, an arrangement of paint on a surface. Sculpture, an arrangement of objects in space. Conceptualism, an arrangement of ideas. Arrange, to move and organize (things) into a particular order or position, to give a particular order or position to the parts of (something). Mark, an impression made on something. Using these definitions, we can then arrive at this definition; Art, an arrangement of things. Using mass-produced objects and ordinary materials reconfigured into an art context, I explore themes that include the idea of an object’s potential and the concepts of what could be versus what is.”

Nikki Diaz was born and raised in El Paso, TX where she graduated with a B.F.A. in Painting from The University of Texas at El Paso. She currently resides in Austin, TX, where she’s been teaching art classes and runs a small business with two other educators/border artists called Hermanas and Crafts. She also works on freelance painting, illustration, murals and is a full time parent to her son, Dexter.

“Using the symbolism and religious iconography in my paintings, I attempt to venerate people, objects or places that seem mundane or forgotten. I particularly focus on matriarchal figures and cultural ideas regarding women. Memories often haunt my paintings and I strive to illustrate my own feelings of longing for the past while incorporating surreal or seemingly nonsensical scenarios into the narratives. The majority of my work focuses on personal experiences, family and my culture.”

Please come visit the Mexic-Arte Museum’s exhibition, 2026 Mix’n’Mash- On Repeat: The Musicians Who Shaped Us from January 30th to March 8th, 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 support the museum’s programming for children and adults.

Education

Spring 2026 Internship Applications Are Now Open – Apply Now!

Applications Due: Friday, February 8, 2026

Mexic-Arte Museum has served as both a museum for artists and 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 to interns who will work under the mentorship of museum professionals in various departments, gaining valuable skills. Interns will have the opportunity to build professional networks, enhance creativity and critical thinking, and apply practical knowledge in a real-world setting.

Internship Program Information:

• Interns must be current undergraduate students in the Austin, TX area.
• Internships run for ten weeks (March 6-May 15) with a commitment of 10 hours per week during office hours (Monday-Thursday 9 am-6 pm and Friday 9 am-5 pm).
• Pay rate: $22/h
• Interns will contribute to the Spring 2026 Museum programs and exhibitions.

Internship Department Descriptions: Click department to see applications

• Collections- Collections interns will work on standardizing existing records and digitizing new artworks and cultural materials, helping to make the collection accessible to the general public.
• Curatorial- Interns will gain an international, national, and local perspective of traditional and contemporary Mexican and Latinx/a/o/e art through assisting with the preparation of exhibitions, researching artists, helping with exhibition proposals, assisting with exhibition archives, writing for exhibition didactics, writing for various exhibitions and programs, and general departmental support.
• Development- The Development Intern will prepare for three major projects: Cinco de Mayo Luncheon and Heritage Festival, the Rosas y Revelaciones exhibition. The development intern will support the stewardship of grants, major gifts, and sponsorships for these projects at various points in the giving lifecycle, which will support the overall membership program and organizational development.
• Digital Media- The Digital Media intern will assist in organizing assets, strategizing updates the website, add past content and build new event pages, improve its accessibility, and create and utilize SEO/marketing trends and management practices.
• Education- The Education Intern will assist with in-house educational programs, which include: creating gallery guides, leading tours, hands-on activities during tours, preparing for and facilitating creative projects, family days, workshops, as well as exhibition/art history related planning/execution and activities.
• Graphic Design- The Graphic Design intern will assist in designing signage, editorial, illustration, social media graphics, programs, photography, exhibition design, merchandise for the store, intern swag, and invitations for the Museum’s educational programs, events, and more.
• Preparator- Exhibit Preparation interns will work on coordinating the logistics of new exhibits, as well as ensuring the permanent collection remains organized, accessible, and well-preserved. This department also works closely with the curatorial and collections departments and is responsible for logistics and production during special events, routine gallery maintenance.
• Special Events & Marketing- The Special Events & Marketing intern will assist in managing the Museum’s external communications and executing special events. This includes opportunities to help produce advertisements, press releases, newsletters, brochures, email marketing, social media content and coordinating the logistics of large scale Museum events.

Visit https://mexic-artemuseum.org/learn/internships/ to learn more about Spring 2026 internships and departmental position descriptions, apply, and learn more about past internship cohorts. 

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.

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

Totally Cool Totally Art 2026

The Mexic-Arte Museum is once again very excited to partner with the City of Austin Totally Cool Totally Art (TCTA) to present the annual Mid Season exhibition of Totally Cool Totally Art, featuring artwork by youth in grades 7th through 12th – including painting, sculpture, metalsmithing and culinary art which they made during after school classes throughout the semester.

The exhibition will be open to the public from Thursday, February 12-Sunday March 1, 2026, and a reception will be held on Thursday, February 19, 2026 for families, instructors, coordinators, and youth artists to celebrate the mid season of Totally Cool Totally Art 2026 and give awards to youth artists selected for this exhibition. 

Save the date: We will have a family day with TCTA’s Teaching Artists on Sunday, February, 22 1-4pm. Visitors of all ages may create something special and view the exhibition. This event is free and open to the public!

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 providing this wonderful program! Visit https://www.austintexas.gov/department/totally-cool-totally-art to learn more.

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

Activate Your 2026 Membership

You are invited to join the 2026 membership program and enjoy unlimited free admission and 10% off museum store purchases. Full membership levels and benefits are listed on our membership page. Your membership can be purchased online or in-store. 

Activate your membership to be a part of everything the museum has to offer in 2026!

Membership Cards are Back!

If you are a new or returning member, you may pick up your membership card at the museum store during your next exhibit or reception visit. Thank you for being a valued member.

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

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

Local Artists Merch & Gifts Now Featured

Local Artists

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