From the Director
Join Us for the Summer Reception!
Esteban Jordan, 1981
Lithograph on paper, 30 1/2″ x 27 1/4″
Gift of Juan Antonio Sandoval Jr.
We invite you to join us August 6th for the summer reception featuring Mexico, the Border and Beyond: Selections from the Juan Sandoval Jr. Collection and to see the online exhibit, Life and Experiences in the U.S./Mexico Borderlands. Mexic-Arte Museum is fortunate to have received this important Latinx art collection assembled by collector Juan Sandoval throughout his lifetime. We are truly grateful. Mexico, the Border and Beyond will be on exhibition until August 22, 2021. The Mexic-Arte Museum will continue to preserve the Juan Antonio Sandoval Jr. Collection and legacy. There will be a special performance by Los Camaleónes de Tejas, a duo group with Esteban Jordan III and Juanito Castillo. Guests can also cool off with complimentary paletas. We encourage Museum visitors to social distance, wear facemasks, and to follow the health and safety protocols. We hope to see you and your family at the Museum.
Texas Waltz, 1985
Lithograph on paper, 56″ x 39″
Gift of Juan Antonio Sandoval Jr.
Other good news -Mexic-Arte Museum has been selected to participate in the DeVos Institute’s pro bono consultation opportunity for organizations focusing on social cohesion through the arts and creative practice. The Museum was selected from nearly 90 applications for only eleven available placements. The Mexic-Arte will focus on enhancing relationships and collaboration between the Museum, the Latinx, and the Black communities in Austin, Texas. Artists will participate in the creation of a mural on the highly visible 5th Street Mero Muro wall of the Museum in conjunction with the exhibition, MX 21 – Resistance, Reclamation & Resilience inspired by Mexico’s commemoration of the 500 years since the fall of the Aztec capital Tenochtitlán. The mural will reaffirm our common cultural history; contributions of Mexican Americans, Black, Afro-Mexican and other Latinx peoples, and the struggles to achieve social justice. We will also work with schools to elevate Black and Afro-Latinx cultural contributions. Stay tuned! We have many interesting upcoming programs for the fall season. Thank you to all our generous sponsors. Please consider joining the Mexic-Arte Museum as a member and be part of the excitement.
Executive Director
Sylvia Orozco
Exhibits
You’re Invited to Mexico, the Border and Beyond Summer Reception on Friday, August 6th!
This is a River, Esto es un Río
Serigraph on Paper, 22” x 30”
Taller 75 Grados, Mexico City, MX, Desert Triangle Print Carpeta
Gift of Juan Antonio Sandoval Jr.
Membership Special: $25 Special Discount on Full Year Individual Memberships at the door only!
Date: Friday, August 6, 2021
Time: 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Museum Member Preview starts at 5:00pm
Drinks: Provided by Brown Distributing Co Inc
Food: One Taco & Natural Flavored Paletas
Music: Trucha Soul Records and Los Camaleones de Tejas
Education Art Activity: Screenprinting Stickers
Admission: $10 or Free for Museum Members – Become a Member!
Parking: The Frost Bank Tower provides $10 parking for visitors after 5:00pm and on weekends. Learn more about parking by visiting the Museum’s website.
Before planning your trip to the Mexic-Arte Museum, please make sure you review Museum Health Protocols. Thank you.
The Mexic-Arte Museum invites you back with its first reception of the year for the current exhibition, Mexico, the Border and Beyond: Selections from the Juan Antonio Sandoval Jr. Collection on Friday, August 6th starting at 5:00pm. The Juan Antonio Sandoval Jr. Collection is considered one of the most important Latinx art collections in the U.S. The Mexic-Arte Museum Education staff will be assisting guests in a screenprinting activity (while supplies last) to take home as exhibition souvenirs. Food will be provided by One Taco, drinks provided by Brown Distributing Co., and guests are welcomed to try free natural flavored paletas provided by Mexic-Arte Museum. Music by Trucha Soul Records and Los Camaleones de Tejas.
In early 2020, Mr. Sandoval (1946 – 2021), a former reference librarian and former subject specialist for art and Chicanx studies at The University of Texas at El Paso, donated his vast collection to Mexic-Arte Museum, which he had amassed over 30 years. The Sandoval Collection is comprised of over 1,500 artworks, many of them created by Mexican and Latinx artists. It includes prints, photographs, paintings, sculptures, and popular art from the El Paso region, as well as Mexico. The Collection also contains hundreds of publications, and ephemerae. Juan Sandoval’s dedicated patronage to the arts is a monumental achievement, and his legacy will allow generations today and in the future to engage with important works. Mexic-Arte Museum is grateful that the late Juan Sandoval chose to donate his work to the Museum.
Mexico, the Border and Beyond: Selections from the Juan Antonio Sandoval Jr. Collection Exhibition is the first major showing of this collection in Austin. The Sandoval Exhibition is organized into four areas: 1) Passion of a Collector; 2) Life and Experiences in the U.S./Mexico Borderlands examines cultural history and social issues of the border represented by artists in the El Paso/Juárez
U.S. Mexico border region. Artists include well known individuals such as Marta Arat, Manuel Carrillo, Jose Cisneros, Francisco Delgado, Gaspar Enriquez and Luis Jimenez; 3) Mexico: A Second Home showcases artworks by Manuel Acosta, Jose Cuevas, Rodolfo Morales, Francisco Toledo, Nahum Bernabé Zenil and Francisco Zuniga many that were acquired by Mr. Sandoval during his summer trips to Oaxaca; 4) Beyond presents notable artists living and working outside the El Paso borderlands, such as Alejandro Romero, Esteban Sanchez, Kathy Vargas and others.
A large part of the exhibition is dedicated to the artworks focusing on the Life and Experiences in the U.S./Mexico Borderlands. This part is divided into five themes: Creating a Border; Land, Fauna, and Allegories; I am Immigrant You Are; Immigrant Dream and Nightmare; and The Culture Continues/La Cultura Sigue. The Sandoval Collection represents the unique history and culture of the borderlands or la frontera. Additional programs include an online exhibition on the borderlands, a series of online virtual humanities programs with scholars who will speak about the Borderland Experience; and educational tours will be produced to engage and educate the community.
In keeping with our mission, the Museum’s Collection is a vehicle whereby the public can gain access to valuable information on cultural heritage. Humanities programs encourage an understanding of humanity in the broader culture of Texas, and in the global community.
The Life and Experience in the U.S./Mexico Borderlands has been made possible in part by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this exhibition do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Mexic-Arte Museum Education Activity!
The Mexic-Arte Museum Education staff will be assisting guests in a screenprinting activity (while supplies last) to take home as exhibition souvenirs.
Changarreando with Artist Guadalupe Hernandez
Oil on Panel, 16” x 12”, 2021
Oil on Canvas, 32″ x42″, 2020
The Mexic-Arte Museum featured Changarreando Artist, Guadalupe Hernandez, for the month of June where the artist showcased his work via the Museum’s Instagram account. On Thursday, July 1st Mexic-Arte Museum Curator and Director of Programs, Dr. George Vargas also interviewed Guadalupe Hernandez. You can watch the recorded live interview by clicking on the link below!
About the Artist:
Guadalupe Hernandez, is Mexican born artist who lives and works in Houston Texas. His works explore the Mexican culture through the depictions of people and scenes from Mexico through the lenses of childhood memories and experiences.
Artist Statement
“Throughout my artistic journey, the exploration of the human figure has been of significant importance, focusing on the anatomical structure and rendering of the human form. In my most recent works I have become intrigued more in capturing the essence, emotion of the individual. This is accomplished through expressive marks, use of color and thick application of the paint in order to evoke the soul from the canvas. Drawing inspiration from my Mexican heritage I am exploring the human figure through the lens of people, places, and memories from my childhood. As I work, I often think about my cultural identity. What is my place in the culture? What do I not understand? How are we portrayed? These questions about my own identity have originated from Mexican and Chicano(a) authors such as Gloria Anzaldua and Octavio Paz and their exploration of the Mexican identity both in Mexico and the United states. This series of paintings will explore men and women, different groups within Mexico and tackle concepts such as machismo, colorism and social status.”
Changarreando with Angel Ortega
Support our July 2021 Changarreando Artist, Angel Ortega, as we adapt the program to an exciting feature: “Changarreando”. In the spirit of Changarrito, the pop-up mobile art gallery where artists can sell their work to the public, Changarreando with Angel Ortega allows the artist to bring their work to you. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for updates on original work available for purchase as well as behind the scenes of the artist’s work, space, and creative process.
About the Artist:
Angel Ortega, also known as Garzig, is heavily influenced by metal music, their Mexicax heritage, and their love for redesigning pop culture with a low brow chic. All of Angel’s work starts with a pencil sketch that they fine tune using digital software. Angel also exhibited the sculpture piece at the Mexic-Arte Museum, Fideo Paleta Man in the Dia de los Muertos Exhibit in 2020. Many of the techniques Angel used to build the sculpture were taught by her dad and art mentors.
Artist Statement
“The work I’m submitting for Changarreando are pieces I’ve created during 2020. With these pieces I not only plan to reproduce them in a tangible format, but I’ve also created digitally with animations in the works.”
A New El Mero Muro by Artist Alonso Estrada
Artist Alonso Estrada aka The Death Head is currently working on a new El Mero Muro. Come check out the artist in action on the Museum’s north facing wall on Congress Ave. and 5th Street corner! You can view more of his work by visiting his website www.thedeathhead.com. And don’t forget to use #ElMeroMuro on all your El Mero Muro social media posts for a chance to be featured on the Museum’s social media!
About the Artist
Alonso Estrada is a self taught artist. At age 16 he took his first art class at United High School in Laredo, TX wining awards like “best in state” for graphic design in The Vocational Industrial Clubs of America. He attended the AI of Houston and LCC but he dropped out to find his unique art style. He is best known under his pseudonym “The Death Head”. In 2007, he started to use the power of social networking by showing his art, allowing him to be reached and contacted to create collaborations with Upper Play Ground, Girls From OMSK, Deathwish and Famous Stars and Straps. At that time he was also was leaving his mark in the cities of Houston and Austin by dropping art in the streets of the cities where he got the attention of local and international art blogs and magazines like Graffiti All Stars, Blink 182’s blog, and La Spirale. This allowed him to integrate into the local Houston Art scene and gave him the opportunity to participate in art shows like Platano Rock in Spain, MF Gallery NY / Italy, and Coagula Curatorial, LA.
Artist Statement
“This mural has the purpose of showcasing and representing equity. In education, the term equity refers to the principle of fairness. For years people have been discussing the ways equity can provide our society a way of getting an essential benefit in life, which means everyone can get the same resources. As a dyslexic person myself, I understand the importance of giving someone with a disability a fair and just opportunity. The mural is inspired by equity charts. I decided to put a twist on it, making it look like a kindergarten style art. I was also inspired by old school cartoon backgrounds and animations to create a cartoon-core aesthetic.”
Collections
Huichol Yarn Painting
This Huichol Yarn Painting was crafted by an unidentified Huichol artist. Huichol art includes traditional and commercially produced yarn and bead artworks. The Huichol live in the states of Jalisco, Durango, Zacatecas, and Nayarit in Mexico. The colorful decorations use symbols and designs that date back to pre-Conquest times. The Huichol fled from the Spaniard colonizers, escaping to mountains and deserts, where they flourished. Their yarn paintings are made of commercial yarn pressed into boards coated with wax and resin and are derived from a ceremonial tablet called a neirika. Originally, the Huichol created the beads from clay, shells, corals, and seeds to make jewelry and to decorate bowls, masks, belts, and other items. Today, many Huichol use commercial grade glass beads.
Huichol art reflects their religion, with images based on the trinity of the deer, corn, and peyote. To harvest the peyote, the Huichol annually undergo a long pilgrimage to the desert area of San Luis Potosí, where the people are said to have originated. They return and use the peyote in religious ritual, during which visions appear and are represented in signs and symbols in their art. They did not have a written language until recently, so these symbols were and are the primary form of preserving the ceremonies, myths, and beliefs of ancient Huichol religion.
Late 20th to early 21st Century
Jalisco, Mexico
Yarn, wax, and resin, 23½” x 23½”
Education
Nuestra Lucha/Our Struggle Art Justice Summer Camp
Our Education team hosted our 2nd annual “Nuestra Lucha/Our Struggle Art Justice Summer Camp” led by Education Associates Selene Bataille and José Martinez, in which youth were able to learn and reflect on social justice issues. They also learned how to express, and interpret a stance on their chosen issue using visual language informed through various printmaking methods taught in this two week camp. Partnering with the Austin Public Library, the posters created during the camp will be exhibited at the Central Library in the heart of Austin later this year to further amplify the reach of each youth’s message. This program was sponsored by the CYD program of Austin Public Health.
J. Houston Elementary Summer Mural with ACE
Throughout the month of July, Mexic-Arte Museum’s Education Associate Nikki Diaz led a “Mural Camp” with the artistic students enrolled in the summer program at Josephine Houston Elementary School. The Museum’s education partnership with the school, the concept to create a “Welcome” mural at the entrance of the school became a reality. While being facilitated by Education Associate Nikki, the students took ownership of the project from sketch to painting, making creative decisions that reflected themselves and their community around J. Houston Elementary School. We are excited to see the reactions when everyone returns to school in August! The Summer Camp and Mural were sponsored in part by CYD, Austin Public Health, and the Texas Commission on the Arts.
Welcome 2021 Summer Education Intern Amy Anderson!
Hi! My name is Amy Anderson, I am the Education Intern here at the Mexic-Arte Museum. I recently graduated from University of Texas at Austin with a BA in Art History. While enjoying living in Austin, I am now working towards my Masters degree in Museum Studies from the University of San Francisco. Ever since I was little, I have had a passion for art; from how it is created to what it represents. Through my education, I have realized my goal in working in the museum field. I love being surrounded by art and history everyday, but I also want to contribute to the bigger mission of expanding education and creating an inclusive space for the community. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to be working with such an incredible institution like the Mexic-Arte Museum this summer!
Blue Star Sundays at the Mexic-Arte Museum!
Starting July 18th and running through August 22nd, Mexic-Arte is Collaborating with Blue Star Museums! As part of a partnership with Texas Commission on the Arts, we are providing free admission to our active military service members and their families. Blue Star Museums works with “Blue Star Families”, which connects active military members and their families with over 2,000 museums nationwide. We are very excited to collaborate with Blue Star Museums, and to welcome our Military service members to the Mexic-Arte. We will be featured as the first Blue Star Museum in their forthcoming newsletter.
Every Sunday from now until August 22, we will be having art activities available in the gallery as part of the Blue Star Museum program. Join us August 1st for Blue Star Sunday from 1-3pm where we will be doing a cyanotype activity. Cyanotype is a photographic printing process that originated in the 1840s. Cyanotypes known for their distinctive deep blue color combines photographic and hand-drawn imagery. We hope you will join us!
Meet Jessica Solis!
Born and raised in Austin, Texas. I graduated from Texas State University and majored in Art History. I am very excited to be working at the Mexic-Arte on this wonderful collaboration with Blue Star Museums. I come from a big family, and my brother served in the Marines. It makes me happy to see organizations understanding the need for integrating the arts into the military community.
Development
Thank you 3M!
The Mexic-Arte Museum would like to thank the 3M Foundation for their continued support through a $7,000 grant supporting the Education Department. We are extremely grateful for 3M and everything they have done for the Museum. This 3M grant will enable us to widen our service area, helping to close the gap between schools with ample resources and title one schools throughout the greater Austin area through our nationally recognized ScreenIt! Program. 3M grants are given to organizations who serve the 3M community. Mexic-Arte Museum also thanks 3M Foundation for supporting our participation in the New Strategies Program this spring. New Strategies is an advanced management education program conducted by Business for Impact at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business that focuses on how to bolster, and manage revenue for growth and success.
News
Welcome Summer 2021 Interns!
Michelle Brun (they/them/theirs/elle) is a nonbinary latine student at the University of Texas at Austin. They plan to receive a B.S. in Mathematics with a minor in Art History and a certificate in Computer Science in the spring of 2022. After finishing up their undergraduate degree, they plan on pursuing a Masters in Library and Information Sciences to pursue a career in archives. They are super excited to be working in the Collections Department at the Mexic-Arte Museum!
Carolyn Izaguirre (she/her/hers/ella), is a Senior in the school of Media, Culture, & Design at Woodbury University pursuing an undergraduate degree in Graphic Design. She looks forward to the challenges and experience she will be receiving through the internship!
Geovany Uranda (he/him/they) is a Las Vegas Chicano artist exploring the mediums of muralism and design. He attends the University of Las Vegas, NV (UNLV) studying fine arts. He has participated in group exhibitions and collaborated on numerous projects including the design of “The ABCs of Latindad Coloring Book” for the podcast Latinos Who Lunch. His most recent work, the large-scale mural, Tres Fases, was displayed at UNLV’s Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art’s Future Relics: Artifacts for a New World curated by GULCH Collective. With this internship, Geovany hopes to meet and learn about all the other Latinx artists working to advance their culture and representation.
Hola I am Sofia Penny, I was born in New York but made my way to Austin when I was 5. I am currently a senior attending Texas State University. I major in art history and studio art with a painting focus. Museums have always been a large part of my life and I am so happy to be working in an environment where I can indulge in my passion. When I’m not working I love going out to eat with friends and ending the night dancing salsa! My family is Costa Rican and Cuban, without them I wouldn’t be where I am today.
My name is Sofia Yazpik and I’m originally from Mexico City. I studied at the University of Texas at Austin where I received a Bachelor’s degree in Art History. I intend to pursue a Ph.D. in History focusing on the moment of encounter between Western Europe and Mesoamerica. My research encompasses the intellectual and cultural production of knowledge during the early modern period, and how it was interpreted by its viewer.
Store
New Viva la Vida Caps
New in the Mexic-Arte Museum Store! Shop our custom Mexic-Arte and Viva la Vida caps. Available both in-store and online!
Thank you to Our Sponsors
The Life and Experiences in the U.S./Mexico Borderlands
An online exhibition and lecture series are made possible in part by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this exhibition do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Learn more about the Mexic-Arte Museum
Exhibition and Art Education Programs Support: 3M, AeroMexico, Ampersand Art Supply, Trey Andrade, Applied Materials, Austin Community Foundation/Stand with Austin, Austin Convention Center, Austin Independent School District Creative Classrooms, Austin Latino Coalition, Charles Beckman, Michael Best, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Brown Foundation, Brown Distributing Company, Dr. Frank Cardenas, City of Austin Community Youth Development Program, Clay Imports, Endeavor Real Estate Group, Fonda San Miguel, Tom Gilliland, Graves Dougherty Hearon & Moody, Juan J Gutierrez and Rosa K Gutierrez, H-E-B, H-E-B Tournament of Champions, Hendler Flores Law, Humanities Texas, Junior League of Austin, JP Peace Love & Happiness Foundation, Mickey and Jeanne Klein, Ann McEldowney, Mindpop, National Endowment for the Arts, Ingrid and James Taylor, Mike Taylor, Michael Torres, Serie Print Project, Morgan Stanley, Efficient Steel, Bettina & Travis Mathis, Elizabeth Rogers, Juan Antonio Sandoval Jr., Rosa Santis & Pedro SS Services, Marina Sifuentes, Susto Mezcal, Texas Mutual, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Delia Sifuentes, Texas Gas Service, Texas Commission on the Arts, Tribeza, Univision 62, Univision Radio, Lola Wright Foundation, and Jane & Manuel Zuniga.