A Message from the Director
Mexic-Arte Museum, 5th St. Mexican American Cultural District Anchor, New Building Design by FGM Architects — We’re so excited!
Mexic-Arte Museum is thrilled with the design of the new museum building by FGM Architects that will be built at 5th and Congress as the anchor of the 5th St. Mexican American Cultural District. We are enthusiastic and inspired by the action taken by Austin City Council on May 28th that approved a resolution directing the City Manager to develop a potential 2026 bond package and to include the Mexic-Arte Museum. We truly appreciate the support for the Museum! Great cities like Austin are made up of visionary leaders, engaged communities and cornerstone institutions. Austin continues to grow and flourish for today and for future generations. Austin voters have long recognized the value which Mexic-Arte Museum provides to the city, by supporting $20 million in bond money across two elections for the new building project. We thank the Austin community for supporting the museum for over four decades.
The 2026 bond funding will complete construction of the beautifully designed building that will be the pride of downtown Austin showcasing local artists as well as international exhibitions for families, school children, and tourists. The new building will enhance art and education programs and the museum will qualify for American Alliance of Museums Accreditation. The new building will feature a major mural by Austin recognized muralists, Fidencio Duran and Angel Quesada, that will highlight the history of the downtown Mexican American community, the role of Indigenous people in Austin and central Texas history, and the diversity of contemporary Mexican/Chicano/Indigenous/Latino culture. Mexic-Arte is also part of the Congress Avenue Urban Design Initiative (CAUDI), remaking the streetscape from Cesar Chavez Street to 7th Street and contributing to the transformation of the sidewalk and street into a “dynamic and vibrant” environment that invites shopping, cafe seating, and community gatherings. Mexic-Arte Museum will move to the Austin History Center temporarily to continue programs during the construction of the new building.
Today, Mexic-Arte serves thousands of visitors annually and is one of the foremost Latino art museums in the country. Since its inception in 1984 at the Arts Warehouse, Mexic-Arte Museum has been a pioneer non-profit organization in the museum field as one of the few Mexican and Mexican American art museums in the U.S. The Museum contributes to cultural enrichment and works to improve the quality of life through innovative exhibitions and educational programming. The 78th Legislature of Texas designated the Museum as “The Official Mexican and Mexican American Fine Art Museum of Texas,” in 2003. Mexic-Arte Museum has produced and presented exceptional artistic/cultural exhibitions and educational programs and has received local, state and international recognition for its contributions.
Hundreds of diverse families and visitors enjoy Mexic-Arte Museum as part of the cultural fabric in downtown Austin. Annual city and statewide cultural events, as in Viva la Vida/Día de los Muertos, Emerging Latino Artists and other outstanding exhibits have become part of Austin’s downtown traditions. Each year, the Museum presents audiences with exceptional exhibitions, public lectures, art events and educational programs. Over the years, Mexic-Arte has provided more than 200,000 underserved Austin youth with an art education through the Screen It! program. In the fall of 2016, then First Lady Michelle Obama presented the Museum with the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities Award for the educational arts programming. The Museum also provides unique opportunities for college students to work and learn through the Internship Program. Mexic‐Arte Museum’s Permanent Collection has grown to over 7,000 works of historic and contemporary artworks in addition to a specialized library. Mexic-Arte Museum is the proud pioneer and anchor for the 5th St. Mexican American Cultural District designated by the Texas Commission on the Arts in 2025.
This year Mexic-Arte Museum begins its 43rd year of serving Austin through exhibitions, city-wide events, school and public programs and a growing permanent collection of art and cultural materials that record the stories of the community. Mexic-Arte Museum is dedicated to cultural enrichment and education through the presentation & promotion of traditional & contemporary Mexican, Latino, & Latin American art & culture. As the first museum on Congress Avenue, the main street of Texas, Mexic-Arte Museum is in the center of the Congress Avenue Historic District and the official State of Texas designated 5th St. Mexican American Cultural District. The Museum is beginning a capital campaign to raise additional funds for the building and operations. We thank you and the City of Austin for your support and opportunity to serve the people of Austin with excellence. We invite you to join Mexic-Arte Museum in this exciting and transformative new phase that is for all the community and its visitors. THANK YOU, AUSTIN!
Executive Director
Sylvia Orozco
Exhibitions
Rosas y Revelaciones: Homage to la Virgen de Guadalupe
About the Exhibit:
The image of la Virgen de Guadalupe is one of the most powerful and enduring symbols of identity in Mexico and throughout the Americas. Her image has been mobilized at different historical moments, emerging during the early colonial period following the Spanish invasion of Mesoamerica. Eventually, her figure became central to the efforts of Spanish missionaries to convert Indigenous populations to Christianity. La Virgen de Guadalupe is thought to have first appeared in 1531 on a tilma, a cloak made from coarse cactus fiber and worn by a Nahua man under the Christianized name of Juan Diego. Her image has since been reinterpreted and transformed by Indigenous and Latino/e/x communities, reflecting and embodying cultural survival, identity and collective memory.
Rosas y Revelaciones honors both the enduring presence of la Virgen de Guadalupe and the artists who reimagine her through textile practices. The works in this exhibition demonstrate how representing la Virgen has driven artistic innovation. Because textile techniques often rely on geometric structures, rendering curved forms and figurative imagery presents a challenge. In response, the artists in this exhibition experiment with structure, color and composition. They have developed inventive approaches to translate a complex figure into woven form, revealing how innovation emerges through the encounter between traditional techniques and new creative challenges.
Commissioned by Linda Hanna, textile artist and collector, who worked closely with artists across sixteen Mexican states, this collection reflects a rich diversity of materials, techniques and cultural perspectives; while many works originate from Oaxaca, diverse regions are included, highlighting the breadth of Mexico’s textile heritage. Its creation, deeply collaborative, is rooted in longstanding traditions in which weaving and embroidery take place within family workshops and community networks where knowledge is shared across generations. Techniques, patterns and creative processes are developed collectively, making each textile both an individual expression and the product of communal practice.
Mexic-Arte Museum’s Curator, Luisa Fernanda Perez, shares that “Rosas y Revelaciones presents la Virgen de Guadalupe through the artistry of contemporary textile makers whose work demonstrates that these traditions do not exist in the past or have been created solely for tourism, but are living cultural practices woven into everyday life. The garments in this exhibition reflect devotion, creativity, and identity as they continue to be experienced and embodied across diverse communities today. Complementing these works, Jesse Herrera’s photographs of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe Church in Austin, reveal the enduring presence of la Virgencita within a space that has served as a spiritual, cultural, and social anchor for Mexican, Mexican American and Latine/x communities of Austin.”
Recording History: A History of our Lady of Guadalupe Parish Church
Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish has been a spiritual and social anchor for Mexican American families in Austin since its founding in 1907. The first church was located north of Guadalupe Park, now known as Republic Square, a historic site of the 5th St. Mexican American Cultural District. As the city changed, the church and the communities it served were displaced by the 1928 Austin City Plan, a discriminatory planning ordinance that formally instituted racial segregation. Today, the parish stands at 1206 E. 9th Street in East Austin.
For many immigrants and their descendants, some arriving as early as 1917, the parish was the center of community life. At a time when Mexicans and Mexican Americans often faced economic hardship, social isolation, the effects of regional conflicts and deportations, the church offered stability, belonging and support. Yet, much of this community’s history was never formally recorded. With few written archives before 1977, the memories of parishioners themselves became vital historical sources.
During the late 1980s and early 1990s, as part of his graduate thesis at The University of Texas at Austin, photo documentarian Jesse Herrera created this body of work in an effort to help bridge that historical gap. Through photography and conversations with parishioners, Herrera documented the daily life, traditions and spirit of the parish community. Over the course of a year and a half, he produced more than 1,800 images, capturing church services, neighborhood gatherings, local events, religious processions, educational programs and outreach housing efforts.
About the artist:
Jesse Herrera, born in Monterrey, México, is a photographer known for documenting cultural and religious traditions. He earned a BA in art design from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 1975 and later completed an MA in photojournalism at The University of Texas at Austin in 1990. Herrera began his career in Chicago as a corporate photographer for People’s Gas Company before relocating to Austin in 1978. There, he worked with several Texas state agencies, including the Texas Department of Agriculture, the State Preservation Board and the Texas House of Representatives, retiring in 2004.
Herrera’s personal work centers on religious ceremonies in México, Spain and Guatemala. His photographs have been widely exhibited across Texas and the Midwest in solo and juried shows, including The Seventh Annual New American Talent Exhibit, The Magic Silver Show and Arte Sagrado. His work has also appeared in publications such as Borderlands: Texas Poetry Review, Chicago Magazine, Texas Highways, The Texas Observer and Art and Ritual in Golden-Age Spain.
Tejedoras del Espiritu: Rosas y Revelaciones Mero Muro Mural Featured by Austin Vida
Art at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
Since 1999, the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) has been “keeping it local” by presenting works of art from local artists through changing exhibitions on walls and galleries located throughout the terminal. Within the terminal as well as outdoors, both large and small-scale permanent public art can also be found. Whether created by artists local to Austin or artists based elsewhere in the world, the final artwork always speaks to the spirit of Austin and is always unique to AUS.
About the exhibition:
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. These artworks may also be purchased through the Mexic-Arte Museum’s online store.
Mix ‘n’ Mash – On Repeat: The Musicians Who Shaped Us
For the 2026 Mix ‘n’ Mash, held in January to February, Mexic-Arte invited artists to honor the musicians and performers who have made a lasting impact. The exhibition featured 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 reflected 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. The exhibit at the airport was part of a larger exhibition that was held at Mexic-Arte Museum.
June Changarrito, Lianna Villarreal
About the Artist
Lianna Villarreal is a jewelry artist based in San Antonio, Texas whose work exists at the intersection of art and science. Through her handmade jewelry brand Villa Atelier, she creates adornments using genuine gemstones, freshwater pearls and 14k gold-filled and sterling silver findings. Each collection draws its name and inspiration from scientific concepts. Her most popular collections, Synergism, Visible Light and Photosynthesis, explore how scientific concepts can be transformed into wearable art.
In December 2024, Villarreal graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Science and Arts in Biology and a minor in Sociology. She is currently pursuing formal jewelry training at Austin Community College to advance her artistic ability with an Associate of Applied Science in Jewelry. Her work is available at several Austin locations including Dear Diary Coffee, The Plant Society, The Herb Bar and THOSE Vending Machines-Austin Beerworks. She has been featured in VoyageAustin (2025), the Biocreative Index (2025) and participated in NYC Jewelry Week’s USA Tour (2024). Beyond her jewelry practice, Villarreal is drawn to work that centers care, empathy and human connection. She will be applying to medical school this cycle and is excited to benefit the most vulnerable members of our society, including people who are enduring substance use disorders and people who are unhoused.
Artist Statement
“Medicine is a realm where science and art intertwine. The art of jewelry making and the practice of medicine are both acts of creation– each imbued with a sense of purpose and meaning. The parallels between the two disciplines emphasize the artistry and humanity inherent in both practices. Whether I am crafting a delicate pair of earrings or investigating a complex physiological condition, I am driven by a shared passion for creativity, compassion, innovation and the transformative power of human connection.”
Lianna will be at Mexic-Arte Museum on June 20 and 21 from noon to 3 pm.
May Changarrito, Marcel Homrich
About the Artist
“I was born in the south of Brazil in a city called Porto Alegre, close to the border with Argentina, and I have German and Native Brazilian heritage. I grew up in an artsy environment–my mom is an art teacher and sculptor–and in my family any creative activity was encouraged, including reading, drawing and even painting on the walls. Creating things with my hands was always the way to connect with my inner self. From all the materials I used to play with, my favorite were paper and yarn. I enjoyed making paper dolls, sculptures and crochet. I graduated in communications and started working as a graphic designer. I had some jobs as a web designer but soon realized that having a traditional career as an employee of a company was not the best fit for me. I would get home and start drawing as my creative outlet; one day, I just had this spark that I could use them on stationery products because it was always so hard for me to find something that would be different from what was sold as mainstream stationery–something that I could identify myself with. I started my first stationery business in 2005, designing greeting cards and art prints in Brazil. In 2011, I got married and moved from São Paulo to the United States. With my first child on the way, and a lot to learn about a new culture, I then decided to slowly phase out by business in Brazil and focus solely on the US market. I created an online store in 2012, and in 2020, I realized my dream of having a brick-and-mortar store/studio. My background is in graphic design, but my practice at the studio right now is more art focused. I still enjoy designing products, but over the last five years, I’ve felt more drawn to making art. It gives me more creative freedom, and it feels closer to what I want to express now. My focus is on textile arts, but I still like to explore other materials like paper and clay.”
Artist Statement
“I come from a background in product design, where function and problem solving shaped the way I think visually. Over time, my focus has shifted to creating art as a space for emotion, intuition and personal narrative. My current work explores abstract ideas that follow my curiosity. I enjoy experimenting with materials like wool, cotton and paper. Moving from product design to art has given me a different kind of freedom—one that prioritizes expression over utility.”
Marcela was at Mexic-Arte Museum on May 9, 10, 16 and 17.
Collections
Mexic-Arte Museum Partnership with The Nettie Lee Benson Latin American Collection
The Mexic-Arte Museum continues the partnership with the Nettie Lee Benson Latin American Collection transferring over 40 years of archives to the Benson Collection. The Nettie Lee Benson Latin American Collection is part of The University of Texas Libraries system and is one of the premier libraries in the world for Latin American culture. Mexic-Arte first began working with the Nettie Lee Benson Latin American Collection in 2008, and we are thrilled to continue this collaboration and preserve decades of history.
Maribel Falcón, US Latinx Studies Librarian, Carla Alvarez, Archivist and Ryan Lynch, Head of Collections, came to Mexic-Arte to prepare another 50 archive boxes to be the Benson. They made sure the boxes were prepared correctly and bagged each one, for conservation purposes, before the boxes were taken to the Benson storage. These archive boxes are the sixth group, totaling 300, that have been inventoried, labeled and organized by the Mexic-Arte staff and picked up by the Benson to add to their collection.
We would like to extend our gratitude to Maribel Falcón, Carla Alvarez, Ryan Lynch and The Nettie Lee Benson Latin American Collection. We are excited to share and further preserve Mexic-Arte Museum’s history with such a prominent archive collection. You can check out The Nettie Lee Benson Latin American Collection to see existing Mexic-Arte archives, as well as other incredible pieces that are part of the collection.
Education
Welcome Summer 2026 Interns!
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.
Sign Up for Nuestro Mundo Summer Camp
Date: July 28 to 31
When: Daily, from noon to 4 pm
Where: Austin Public Library Southeast Branch, 5803 Nuckols Crossing Rd Austin, TX 78744
Admission: FREE TO PARTICIPATE!
Ages: 9 to 17
In Nuestro Mundo (Our World), youth will focus on building and strengthening our communities 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 and linoleum printmaking technology, accessible processes used by artists and activists to quickly reproduce images and information. The purpose of these posters is to communicate to the public the necessity of social change in an area of importance to the participants.
Partnering with the Austin Public Library, the posters created during the camp will be exhibited at the Southeast Austin Public Library to further amplify the reach of each youth’s message. We will close camp with an art show reception on Saturday, August 1, 2026, from 1 to 4 pm, at the Southeast Library. All are welcome to join for refreshments, music, art activities and more!
Mexic-Arte Museum will provide snacks.
For ADA accommodations call 512-974-7400. Free and open to all.
Thank you to Austin Public Health, Austin Public Library and Texas Commission on the Arts for supporting these programs!
Questions about summer programs? Contact Jasmine Chock: Art Education Program Coordinator, 512-480-9373
Sign Up for Nuestro Estilo Summer Camp
Date: August 3 to 7
When: Daily, from 10 am to 2 pm
Where: Austin Central Library, 6th Floor, 710 W Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78701
Admission: FREE TO PARTICIPATE!
Ages: 11+
Attention youth and parents! Mexic-Arte Museum will host summer camps for printmaking and fashion design in 2026! 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.
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.
Thank you to Austin Public Health Office of Violence Prevention, Texas Commission on the Arts, Austin Public Library for supporting these programs!
Free Summer Tours
Tours for City of Austin Parks and Recreation Groups + Title 1 Schools- FREE Admission
This summer Mexic-Arte Museum invites City of Austin Parks and Recreation Groups (youth, adult, senior) and Title 1 Austin Schools to visit the Museum for a tour of Rosas y Revalaciones: Homage to la Virgen de Guadalupe. Tours for these groups are free of charge admission thanks to the City of Austin.
A guided tour of Mexic–Arte Museum exhibitions provides students and adults with a unique cultural experience. Tours are an engaging way to expose all age groups to current exhibitions and a fun opportunity to learn about traditional and contemporary Mexican, Latinx and Chicanx art from the Museum’s knowledgeable docents of art, art history and cultural studies.
Tours this summer will focus on the current Rosas y Revalaciones textile art and garments collection featuring over 65 artists from several regions of Oaxaca and Mexico, Jesse Herrera’s photographs of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Austin and The Origins of Medicine mural by Rafael Navarro Barajas. Through attending a tour, participants will learn about Austin history, methods of making textiles, the role of art making in communities and more. Tours may be tailored to focus on K-12 education or certain aspects of the exhibition, and tours in English and Spanish are available for museum guests.
Please visit https://mexic-artemuseum.org/learn/tours/ to learn more and book a tour this summer. The last day of the Rosas y Revalaciones exhibition is Sunday, August 9, 2026, so be sure to book your tour before we close the galleries to de-install the exhibition.
We are able to reimburse transportation costs for tours for these groups on a case by case basis. Please contact us for more information.
Questions about tours? Contact Richard Greene: Art Education Program Coordinator 512-480-9373
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
Día de los Muertos – Celebrando Juntos Viva la Vida Festival & Parade 2026
Save the date for Mexic-Arte Museum’s Celebrando Juntos, the 43rd Annual Viva la Vida Festival & Parade is Austin’s largest and longest-running Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) event! Co-presented by the Austin Convention Center and the City of Austin’s Office of Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment, this year’s festival will take place on Saturday, October 24, at 4th Street and Congress Avenue. The festivities begin with a Grand Procession at noon and activities will run until 6 pm. Participants can enjoy the Mariposa Plaza with hands-on art activities, traditional foods, local artists, retail booths, a low-rider exhibition and live performances throughout the day. Please join Mexic-Arte Museum in this free family-friendly cultural celebration!
Sponsor Opportunities Viva la Vida Festival & Parade 2026
Visit Mexic-Arte Museum on Free Sundays!
Thanks to the generous support of H-E-B and the Downtown Austin Alliance, Mexic-Arte Museum is thrilled to offer free admission and public tours every Sunday!
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
New Virgen de Guadalupe Items Now Available!
Local Artists Merch Also Featured!
Follow the New Artists on Instagram!
- Bieke Campos – @Artbybieke
- Tressa Gonzalez – @smittenkittentx
- Laura Clay – @lauraclayart
- Marlene Macias – @shopmootmagoo
- Nydia Salinas – @clayvalleystudio
- Sofia Villanueva – @mavah_designs
- Lindsay Gabriel – @firedartsbylindsay
Thank You Sponsors
A+ Federal Credit Union, Alliance Française d’Austin, Austin Independent School District Creative Classrooms, Austin Lowriding, Austin Saltillo Sister Cities Association, Bettina & Travis Mathis, Bob & Marisa O’Dell, Capital Printing, Chase Bank, Charlotte Hage Dalbey, City of Austin Capital Services, City of Austin Community Youth Development Program, City of Austin Economic Development, City of Austin Parks & Recreation, City of Austin Public Health Department, City of Austin Special Events, Consulate General of Mexico in Austin, Dulce Vida, Ed Jordan, Elizabeth Rogers, Endeavor Real Estate Group, Erwin Cuellar, Fenix Post Tension, Inc., Frost Bank, Gloria Moore, Gloria Reyna, Hendler Flores Law, H-E-B, IBC Bank, IBM, Jennifer Hage Bond, Jennifer & Joseph Gatti, JP’s Peace Love & Happiness Foundation, Juan & Martha Cotera, Juan J. Gutierrez, La Voz, Lola Wright Foundation, Ann McEldowney, Madelline Mathis, Mark Zuniga, Mellon Foundation, Nettie & M.K. Hage Family, Oncor Global, Patricia Hage Hirsh, Paul Saldaña, Peter M. Baez, Pronto Insurance, Robin Suzanne Hage, Rocheli Patisserie, Saldaña Public Relations, Serie Print Project, Siete, Silcone Labs, Spurs, Thompson Austin, UFCU