A Message from the Director
May – An Incredible Month of Events and Art!
Each year, Taste of Mexico features the best of the culinary arts in Austin. This year’s May 3, coordinated by Marketing and Special Events Associate Joanne Ortega, was one of the best! Over forty different chefs and specialty beverage purveyors participated. The event space was filled with aromas and delicias. The crowds sipped, indulged, laughed and enjoyed the night away. Attendees created silk screens on koozies, played loteria, gazed upon the Ballet Folklorico de Austin’s movements and colorful dresses, and danced to the rhythms of DJ ulovei. Thank you to generous sponsors Siete, HEB, Univision, La Voz, and El Mundo, as well as to Fair Market and all restaurants and vendors.The Taste of Mexico Committee, lead by Tamra Jones, along with our staff and all the attendees, made this event wonderful and memorable. Thank you for supporting the Mexic-Arte Museum and its programs.
Two days later, on May 5, Development Coordinator Adrienne Brown and the Committee headed by Laurel Prats organized and presented the Museum’s first ever Cinco de Mayo Luncheon. Two successful major events in one week!
The Cinco de Mayo Luncheon gathered downtown businesses and stakeholders to celebrate, promote and learn about the Cinco de Mayo historic event, the 5th Street Mexican American Heritage Corridor and District, and the Museum. Distinguished speaker Dr. Jesús F. de la Teja taught the audience about Texas’s relationship to Cinco de Mayo, and nationally recognized historian Dr. Cynthia E. Orozco spoke about downtown Austin’s first Cinco de Mayo celebration in the 1880s, and history of the Mexicans and Mexican Americans in downtown Austin. The 5th St. Mexican and Mexican American Heritage loteria, conceptually developed by the Museum and illustrated by ACC intern Della Price, fascinated the public with its inventiveness and educational quality. Music by Mariachi Chavez filled the room as the guests feasted on avocado aguachile, mole blanco and prickly pear margarita tarts. We all learned something at the Luncheon through the lectures, the games, and the fun. Art brought us together, and as patrons left, they received a beautiful Mexic-Arte Loteria linocut designed by artist Fabiana Muñoz Olmo and printed with the assistance of Julio Martinez. We enjoyed the company of our generous sponsors (listed below) as well as our legacy guests, including Modesta Treviño. Ms. Treviño’s original research in 1976 on the Mexican Americans in downtown Austin has inspired all of us to continue to study and learn more about Austin’s history.
May is not over yet! This Saturday, May 27, please join us for a unique concert experience and enjoy one of Mexico’s richest traditions of music-poetry, Huapango Arribeño with Raul Orduña y Los Trovadores and special invited Poet and Trovador de la Sierra Gorda Mexicana, Ángel Gonzalez from Palomas Xichu Guanajuato. The concert will take place from 2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. The concert and exhibit admission are free to the public. The current exhibition, Expresiones de Mexico, Arte de la Gente, Art of the People is also complimentary.
We hope the public will join us to complete the month of May with some of the best music and art of Mexico right here in Austin.
Mexic-Arte Museum Welcomes Peter M. Baez to the Board of Directors
Being a native Austinite, Peter is a Commerical Banker and has served JPMorgan Chase Bank for 20 years. He is an advisor to clients. His team in Austin delivers comprehensive, strategic, and customized solutions to mid-sized companies with exceptional service from Treasury and Payments, Credit and Financing, International Banking or Asset Management. As the son of a local architect, Peter grew up on various job sites around Austin, and looks forward to supporting the city’s continued growth by bringing the global capabilities of the firm to the local business community.
Executive Director
Sylvia Orozco
Upcoming Events
Concierto de Musica Huapango Arribeño: Para Las Familias
Mexic-Arte Museum invites the public to a free concert featuring Raul Orduña y Los Trovadores, along with special invited guest Poet and Trovador de la Sierra Gorda Mexicana, Ángel González de Palomas Xichú Guanajuato. The concert will take place Saturday, May 27, 2023, from 2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Don Ángel González was born in Palomas de Xichu, Guanajuato in 1956. He has dedicated most of his life to maintaining the tradition of the huapango arribeño, both as an interpreter and a composer. He is one of the most renowned Guanajuato authors of this music, developed in the mountains of the small towns in Guanajuato.
Huapango arribeño, or son arribeño, is a style of music played in the “zona media” region (part of San Luis Potosi, Querétaro and Guanajuato). Traditionally, it is played using four instruments (jarana huasteca, huapanguera, and two violins). The lyrics are mostly improvised and sung in the style of décimas, or versed poems. The word Huapango likely derives from the Nahuatl word cuauhpanco, which literally means on top of the wood, alluding to a wooden platform on which dancers perform zapateado dance steps.
When asked if he is more musician or poet, Don Ángel responded “the arribeño huapango requires both. That is, to be a good poet and to be a good musician. He continues and the poet is revealed. “A mí me gusta ser la voz del pueblo y no sólo eso, sino ser la voz de los bosques, del agua, de los cambios climáticos, de lo que se requiera. I like to be the voice of the people, and not only that, but to be the voice of the forests, of water, of climatic changes, of whatever is required.”
Don Ángel González is presented by Raul Orduña in conjunction with the Huapango Sin Fronteras Festival. Raul is the festival founder and an Austin-based huapango arribeño trovador (poet-practitioner).
For the song he composed in 2011, El Nacimiento Del Huapango, Raul Orduna writes, “After a study about our tradition, I decided to compose this poetry about the root of our music, hoping the content is understood, since our music is a collective art of many years and of our ancestors, giving thanks of course to all the musicians who have helped me develop as a troubadour, poet, and guitar player of this beautiful tradition such as the huapango arribeno, and music of my Mexico.”
Please join us for this unique experience to enjoy one of Mexico’s richest musical traditions and view the current exhibition, Expresiones de México, Arte de la Gente, Art of the People.
Free Summer Camp! – Nuestro Estilo at Austin Central Library
Led by Andrea Calderon, Nuestro Estilo/Our Style will explore Mexican identity through traditional garments. Every participant will design and create their own stamp and print upcycled clothing with the design. This is a great workshop to learn more about traditional indigenous textiles and styling.
At the end of this workshop, we will showcase your designs in a fashion show! Join us from July 17 to July 21 and create art through fashion. Nuestro Estilo is open to ages 11 to 99+. Those who are younger than 11 will have to be accompanied by an adult (parent or guardian).
Our camp will run for 5 days from July 17 to July 21 from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm with a snack break. This camp will be hosted at the Austin Central Library.
This camp is generously sponsored by the City of Austin Office of Violence Prevention.
You can register here!
Andrea Calderon is an independent musician and cultural organizer with a background in anthropology + border studies, born in Mexico City with firm roots in Oaxaca and Chihuahua. They currently work as the Cultural Liaison at the James Beard award winning NIXTA Taqueria in Austin, Tejas and play violin in various musical projects.
Andrea also runs a reciprocity-based collective of indigenous artisans, and uses the same platform to organize independent local cultural events, workshops, and encuentros at various venues and community spaces. Colectivo IN SITU functions to bridge communities and educate the public through sharing the diverse work of BIPOC creatives and activists fighting for visibility and justice. In Mexico, they work to highlight artisans working with ancestral mediums including wool + native cotton textiles, silk, and more, with a focus on bringing attention to their stories, lives, and histories. Through IN SITU, Andrea hopes to continue creating and fostering safe, inclusive, and accessible spaces for everyone. TODO PARA TODXS.
June Changarrito Artist, Bella Álvarez
Join us for the Changarrito cart with artist Bella Álvarez who will be at the museum offering their artwork for sale on the Changarrito cart on June 17-18 and 24-25 from 12:00PM – 3:00PM CST. Come by the museum to support them and ask about their artwork.
You can see and learn more about their work on their website.
“I grew up in Austin, Texas, surrounded by many different expressions of art. I took my first printmaking class during my freshman year of high school and it has grown into full passion. I want to continue to pursue printmaking and art in college. I applied to a couple art schools and so far got accepted into Savannah College of Art and Design. I felt a disconnect from my Mexican roots growing up but I became more united with my heritage and culture during my journey through high school. Especially this year, during my senior year of high school, I wanted to express the beauty and comfort I found in my roots by dedicating my AP 2D Design portfolio to Mexican roots and culture in Texas. Within the past couple of years, I have become more active in activism, and some of my newer pieces express that. I want to continue to complete more pieces like those. My first time in an exhibit will be at MAS Cultura Fest 2022; it will feature my pieces La Dama and The Chicano Movement in Texas. Those pieces also will be included in Issue Four of Bluekeys magazine, a small Austin publication.”
Exhibitions
Expresiones de México, Arte de la Gente/Art of the People
The artwork in Expresiones de México, Arte de la Gente / Art of the People spans the gamut of tradition, technique, beauty, and time seen in Arte de la Gente of Mexico, and Mexic-Arte Museum welcomes the community to share in the enjoyment, discovery, and appreciation of these artworks and traditions.
Today we highlight the sculpture Floral Religious Figure, created by Irma García Blanco.
This sculpture began with gathering clay from around Santa María Atzompa, Oaxaca. The clay was then mixed with sand and strained. This sculpture started with an elongated clay cup, acting as the central structure of the figure. Smoothing of the surface was done with wet fingers before being scraped with a piece of metal. The artwork then sat for two days before clay applique floral elements were added. These elements were added by hand and/or with a thorn, used to inscribe details, such as eyelashes. The red coloring of some of the flowers comes from a red slip applied to those applique pieces. The artwork was completed with a firing in a kiln in her home’s courtyard.
Irma García Blanco (b. 1959) is the daughter of the legendary ceramicist Teodora Blanco Núñez (b.1928 – d.1980), who is said to be the first potter in the region of Oaxaca to add decorative elements to utilitarian ceramics and invent large-scale applique dolls created in natural clay colors. Irma is the artist said to follow Teodora’s techniques most closely. She was named a Great Master of Mexican Folk Art by Fomento Cultural Banamex in 1996.
Expresiones de México, Arte de la Gente / Art of the People is on view until August 20, 2023. Learn more by visiting the exhibit page.
Missed the opening reception? You can view it here.
May Changarrito Artist, Stephen Longoria
On May 25, 2023 at 5:00 pm, Mexic-Arte Museum Curator of Exhibitions and Director of Programs Isabel Servantez interviewed Stephen Longoria, as part of the monthly Changarrito art cart residency on Mexic-Arte’s Instagram Live. Servantez and Longoria covered a range of topics in their discussion.
If you missed the interview, you can watch it here.
About The Artist
Stephen Longoria is a Texan currently living and working in Japantown San Jose, CA. His focuses include printmaking and silkscreening, as well as woodworking, welding, and other forms of fabrication. Through screen printing, he showcases his illustrations and mixed media pieces.
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 have the opportunity to 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. For each Changarrito artist, the Museum acquires a work of art for its permanent collection.
Chicano/a Art Humanities Lecture Series #10: Dr. Alexis Salas – The Chicano Art Movement in Austin, Texas
On May 31, 2023 at 1 PM, Dr. Alexis Salas will give a presentation on Facebook live entitled ¡Hijxs de su Madre! Queer Latinx Art and Texas. In this presentation, Dr. Salas will link themes from the exhibition, Chicano/a Art, Movimiento y Más en Austen, Tejas 1960s to 1980s, to their scholarship on Queer Latinx art and activism.
Dr. Alexis Salas is Endowed Assistant Professor of Arts of the Americas at the University of Arkansas. Her scholarship and exhibitions focus on contemporary Latin American and Latinx art.
Mexic-Arte Museum would like to thank the National Endowment for the Humanities for their support of the Humanities Lecture Series.
Collections
Conversations with the Collectors and Artist for Expresiones de México – Arte de la Gente/Arte of the People
On April 15th, the Mexic-Arte Museum hosted “Panel Discussion: Conversations with the Collectors and the Artist” to coincide with the opening of Expresiones de México, Arte de la Gente / Art of the People. We invited collectors Polly Johnson, Edwin Rudolph Jordan, and David Moss, and artist Sergio Sánchez Santamaría to speak on their views of collecting objects.
The collectors explained the joys of discovering new artists and their works to add to their growing collection. Though they enjoy the beauty and memories the objects bring to their environment, the collectors discussed the importance of giving the objects the right home and preserving the cultures they represent. This has led them to donate parts of their collections to institutions, such as the Mexic-Arte Museum.
In reference to what Johnson, Jordan, and Moss spoke about, Sánchez Santamaría discussed the importance of collecting to preserve memories and continuing education. He explained his own experience with collecting as an artist, like how he’s traded objects with other artists. Sánchez Santamaría emphasized that his practice of collecting was very selective. He wants to focus on the rarity and being beneficial to his artmaking, such as his curated collection of printmaking books.
The Mexic-Arte Museum would like to extend our thanks to the collectors, Polly Johnson, Edwin Rudolph Jordan, and David Moss, and artist, Sergio Sánchez Santamaría for participating in the “Panel Discussion: Conversations with the Collectors and the Artist” and their generous contributions to the Mexic-Arte Museum. Check the Mexic-Arte Museum website for the link to the panel discussion.
Education
H-E-B Domingos en Familia with Casimiro de la Cruz
Museum guests participating in Casimiro de la Cruz’s workshop at Domingos en Familia on Sunday, Arpil 30, 2023.
During the first H-E-B Domingo en familia of the year, Huichol (Wixárika) artist Casimiro de la Cruz led a workshop where our visitors learned about the technique and history, and created an indigenous traditional yarn design called ojo de Dios (eye of God). The ojos de Dios are sacred objects for the Huichol community and continue to be an essential aspect of their culture.
You can find ojos de Dios in our current exhibition Expresiones de México, Arte de la Gente / Art of the People.
We thank H-E-B, our family day sponsors, for their continuous support.
In our Domingos en familia, we offer free activities that relate to Mexic-Arte’s current exhibition.
Join us for the next Domingo en familia!
Norman-Sims Elementary School Career Day
Education Curator Luisa F. Perez and Education Associate Jasmine Chock had the opportunity to give insight about careers in art and museums to students at Norman-Sims Elementary School. Students learned about Mexic-Arte’s current exhibitions and shared their knowledge of alebrijes very enthusiastically. All students got to screen print a sticker. They were very excited to see a demonstration in real life, since many of them had only seen screen printing on social media. Thank you, Norman-Sims, for letting us come and share about careers in visual art and culture!
amArte Workshop with Dave McClinton: “Deepening Layers with Collaging”
The amArte education outreach program held its 15th workshop this month at Akins High School for Mr. Sean Claes’s yearbook class. Master artist Dave McClinton led and mentored the advanced graphic designers in furthering their knowledge via Photoshop. By incorporating photos with deeper personal meaning and historical documents, students were able to create meaningful designs. Completed designs will be printed on high-quality poster paper and sent to students. McClinton aims to have the students’ digital expressions achieve the same tangible effects as other visual art mediums.
amArte Workshop with Juan Carlos Escobedo: “Living on Your Mind”
amArte also held its 16th workshop at Akins High School in May for Mr. Eric Cannon and Mr. James Monfries’ advanced art and sculpture classes. Master artist Juan Carlos Escobedo mentored and led the students in creating two styles of headwear. Students would be able to use the headwear as their canvas to evoke feelings of past homes and/or dream homes. Cardboard was the main medium used, however students could use any additional material to portray their desired sculptures inspired by Juan’s work.
CYD Ceremony
On May 6, Community Youth Development awarded three outstanding youth from Mexic-Arte Museum’s Screen It! program – Nicholas Navarro from Widen Elementary, Trinity Juarez-Siles and Georgia Larson from Akins High School – at the end of year celebration. Of the 750 youth served through CYD this year, these youth showed the most excellence in screen printing, designing and collaborating with their classmates during the Screen It! T-Shirt Project. Congratulations to these young artists!
CYD also recognized Mr. Starr Taylor, Widen Elementary art teacher, as an excellent community partner. Mr. Taylor has graciously hosted the Screen It! program in his classroom for ten years. Mr. Taylor works closely with the students and Museum teaching artists to help them express their ideas and improve in their artistic skills. Students look forward to Mr. Taylor’s art class and doing the t-shirt project each year. Thank you and congratulations, Mr. Taylor!
Mexic-Arte Museum has partnered with Community Youth Development since 2011, providing the award-winning Screen It! program to students and schools located in 78744. During Screen It!, students learn how to design and screen print t-shirts during their art class. The Museum partners with teaching artists in the Austin community to teach Screen It!, serve as positive role models to youth and introduce the students to careers in visual art through sharing their own practices.
To learn more about Screen It! and screen printing, visit the Learn page on the Mexic-Arte website.
Development
Cinco de Mayo Luncheon
Thank you to all who made our first Cinco de Mayo Luncheon a success!
This event raised awareness of the 5th Street Mexican American Heritage Corridor and District, taught important history around the Cinco de Mayo holiday, and raised funds for Mexic-Arte Museum’s award-winning programming.
The Thompson Hotel provided a beautiful space and delicious food, and the event featured talks by Dr. Cynthia E. Orozco and Dr. Jesús (Frank) de la Teja, as well as a 5th Street loteria and a custom tote bag for all attendees. The afternoon was lively, informative, and a step towards Cultural Heritage District designation for this historic portion of downtown Austin.
We would like to thank the following sponsors for their generous support: Thompson Hotels, JP Peace Love & Happiness Foundation, Laurel Prats, State Farm, Linbeck, Page, LMN, IBC Bank, Downtown Austin Alliance, Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages, City of Austin and the Economic Development Department, Waterloo Greenway, H-E-B, Austin Convention Center, Jane and Manuel Zuniga, and Clay Imports. We couldn’t have done it without you!
Enjoy scenes from the inaugural Cinco de Mayo Luncheon here.
Thank you to our Sponsors!
Thank You for Making Taste of Mexico Possible!
Scenes of guests at Taste of Mexico on May 3, 2023. Photos by Joanne Ortega
This year’s Taste of Mexico event took place on Wednesday, May 3, 2023 at Fairmarket. A variety of food and beverage vendors sampled their products for all guests to try. Along with the tasty treats, guests were also able to enjoy live DJ uLOVEi, Mariachi Chavez Inspiration, Ballet Folklorico de Austin, H-E-B photobooth, and a free Loteria game with prizes.
Taste of Mexico serves to support Mexic-Arte Museum’s art education programs. Thank you to everyone who attended and showed their support for the Museum. We had a great time celebrating Cinco de Mayo with you!
Huge thanks to every participating vendor, volunteer, and staff member that made this event possible. We’d also like to thank our generous Taste of Mexico sponsors: Siete, H-E-B, Brown Distributing Company, Univision Austin, El Mundo, and La Voz.
View scenes of Taste of Mexico on the Mexic-Arte Museum official Vimeo account.
Thank you to our Sponsors!
Cinco Con Siete
Mexic-Arte Museum extends sincere and heartfelt thanks to Siete! On May 5, our Education team gathered with the Siete family to celebrate the holiday and speak about the Museum’s programs. The night was filled with camaraderie, good food, and community. We are humbled and grateful that the proceeds from the event will support Museum education programs like ScreenIt! and amArte. Mexic-Arte celebrates the beginning of a beautiful partnership with Siete!
Store
Shop the Mexic-Arte Museum Store!
Purchase your own Tree of Life, like those on display in Mexic-Arte’s Expresiones de México, Arte de la Gente / Art of the People exhibition.
Blue Star Museum
Blue Star Museums is a partnership between the National Endowment for the Arts and Blue Star Families, in collaboration with the Department of Defense and museums across America. Mexic-Arte Museum, a collaborator in the Blue Star Museums program, offers free general admission to the nation’s active-duty military personnel and up to five family members—including U.S. Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines, National Guard, Coast Guard, National Guard and Reserve, U.S. Public Health Commissioned Corps, and NOAA Commissioned Corps—from Armed Services Day Saturday, May 20, 2023 through Labor Day, Monday, September 4, 2023.
For all free and discounted military tickets, present ID in person at admissions desk. Sundays are free admission for all!
Thank You to Our Generous Sponsors!
This project is supported in part by the City of Austin Economic Development Department.
Learn more about the Mexic-Arte Museum
Exhibition and Art Education Programs Support: Ampersand Art Supply, Applied Materials, Austin Convention Center, Austin Independent School District Creative Classrooms, Austin Lowriding, Michael Best, Brown Distributing Company, CC West Printing, 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, Erwin Cuellar, Libby & Lloyd Doggett, Endeavor Real Estate Group, Facebook, Fenix Post Tension, Inc., Fonda San Miguel, Ford Foundation, Gente Chicana/SOYmos Chicano Fund, Tom Gilliland, GoDaddy, Greater Milwakee Foundation, Juan J Gutierrez and Rosa K 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, Ann McEldowney, Bettina & Travis Mathis, Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, Mindpop, National Philanthropic Trust, Nettie & M.K. Hage Family, Rambler Sparkling Water, Elizabeth Rogers, Juan Antonio Sandoval Jr., Rosa Santis & Pedro SS Services, Serie Print Project, Delia Sifuentes, Silcone Labs, Spurs, Susto Mezcal, Ingrid and James Taylor, The Texas Tribune, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Texas Gas Service, Toyota Honda Hyundia – Round Rock, Tribeza, Univision 62, Univision Radio, Warfield Center, Lola Wright Foundation, Jane & Manuel Zuniga, and Mark Zuniga.