Miembros Newsletter: March 2026

A Message from the Director

Artists, Collectors, Patrons and the Museum Come Together to Share Art with the
Community

The New Exhibition, Rosas y Revelacions: Homage to la Virgen de Guadalupe

On April 17, 2026, Mexic-Arte Museum will proudly present the new exhibition, Rosas y Revelacions: Homage to la Virgen de Guadalupe, showcasing the Linda Hanna textile collection. Mexic-Arte Museum is one of the few museums in the United States to feature this important exhibition. This unique opportunity is made possible by the vision and generosity of Linda Hanna, all the talented artists as well as generous donors like Conni Reed, Founder and CEO of Consuela. Thank you all!

I met Linda several years ago at La Feria Maestros del Arte in Chapala, Jalisco. Later on, Linda visited Austin to discuss exhibiting her collection at Mexic-Arte Museum. Linda Hanna, a fiber artist from California, has lived in Oaxaca since 1997. There, her passion for the art and culture of Mexico grew and inspired her to start collecting Mexican art. For many years, she has coordinated the Oaxacan artists who participated in the annual Feria Maestros del Arte. Over the years, she developed deep relationships with the artists as a friend and patron. This led to her commissioning of over ninety original textiles with the image of La Virgen de Guadalupe, using native techniques and traditions. This idea was based on the fact that La Virgen de Guadalupe was seen for the first time on a cloak. Although the majority of the artworks are from Oaxaca, Linda also commissioned works from textile artists from fifteen other states of Mexico over the course of several years. Linda Hanna writes, “Woven into each are the beliefs, dreams, hours and heartstrings of its creator, resulting in compositions, that are not only artistic, but also mystical.” These are beautiful words for a truly beautiful exhibition.

Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Austin, Photographs by Jesse Herrera

To compliment and connect Austin to the tradition of honoring la Virgen de Guadalupe, Mexic-Arte Museum has added photographs of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Austin by Jesse Herrera. The original church was built in 1907 on the northwest corner of West 5^th and Guadalupe Streets.

In 1990, for his Master of Arts in the Graduate School of Journalism at The University of Texas at Austin, Jesse Herrera researched the history of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Austin and created a photographic profile of the parish activities. In Austin in the early 1900s, faithful Catholics from the Mexico neighborhood in now downtown Austin made the long walk to St. Mary’s Cathedral on Sundays where they had separate seating. It was not until 1907 that Catholic officials addressed the segregation problem by building a “first daughter” church of St. Mary’s inside the barrio of Mexico. Pastor P.J. O’Reilly was called to minister to Mexican worshippers in Spanish. Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic church, named for the patron saint of Mexico, was constructed on the corner of West 5th and Guadalupe Street, across from Guadalupe Park.

Herrera worked with the limited archives and records he found as well as oral histories from the parishioners to reconstruct the history of the “Hispanic” community of East Austin – thus the story of the Our Lady of Guadalupe Church began to be recorded. Herrera’s photos documented the essence of the church – its people, traditions, memories and struggles. Jesse Herrera, writes, “some parishioners remembered that next to the original site of the church, a playground existed.  They recalled that it was named Chili and/or Guadalupe Park (now Republic Park).  The park had many memories for them as this is where the Jamaicas, or fund-raising church fairs and other social events took place.” At that time for the Mexican community, lives were centered around the church. The church’s mission was to help the parishioners with their spiritual and social needs. By the end of the project Jesse had taken over 1800 photos with the central theme, “The people are the church.” Jesse Herrera final products were his master’s thesis, “Recording History: A History of Our Lady of Guadalupe parish Church” and an exhibition of thirty photographs at the Barker Texas History Center at The University of Texas. 

Jesse, who now lives in the Fort Worth-Dallas area visited Mexic-Arte Museum in December 2025. Together, we walked over to Republic Square to see the lime green signage that features Jesse Herrera’s photograph and tells the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. Next month, visitors will have the opportunity to see the original photographs by Jesse Herrera, taken thirty-six years ago, and learn more about Austin’s Mexican American history that started in downtown Austin.

Jesse Herrera was born in Monterrey, Mexico.  He earned his B.A. degree in art design at The University of Illinois and Masters at The University of Texas in Austin.  He later worked as a staff photographer with the Texas Department of Agriculture.  I met Jesse in the late 1980s.  Jesse participated in many exhibitions at Mexic-Arte Museum and later made a major donation of his photographs to the permanent collection.   We thank Jesse Herrera for his donation, work and research that provide a window to Austin’s rich history.

Thank you to the Mexic-Arte Museum Board of Directors!

On March 7, 2026, Mexic-Arte Museum Board of Directors gathered for the annual Board Retreat. Bright smiles, tacos and coffee welcomed and inspired everyone, igniting great ideas and energy. The retreat strengthened the board in many ways, preparing us for this year’s work. This year’s retreat focused on strategic planning and the building project. 

I would like to thank all the Board Members for their commitment and support of the Mexic-Arte Museum. I would like to thank Paul Saldaña, President, for his leadership, passion and the breakfast treats. Thank you, Elizabeth Rogers & Winstead PC for hosting the meeting. I want to acknowledge Stuart Hersh, Building Committee Chair, since 2009 for the invaluable leadership and knowledge that he has provided to guide the museum building project. We thank Daniel Yen and Martin Barrera, from City of Austin Capital Delivery Services and Paul Mendoza from City of Austin Financial Services for the updates on the building project along with the members of the FGM Architects team for their professionalism and attention to detail. The museum is fortunate to have such dedicated community members invested in the museum.

Through the hard work of the Board of Directors, staff, artists, collectors and the community, together, we have made major accomplishments. Our vision has been steadfast to build a beautiful museum building for the community to share and engage in Mexican, Mexican American and Latin American art and culture. This year we will continue to advance on the building project, programs, the collections and the institution. Mil Gracias! Thank you so much!

We look forward to a great 2026!

Executive Director

Sylvia Orozco

Exhibitions

Mexic-Arte Museum Presents Rosas y Revelaciones: Homage to la Virgen de Guadalupe

Mexic-Arte Museum warmly invites you to the opening of Rosas y Revelaciones: Homage to la Virgen de Guadalupe, on view Friday, April 17 to Sunday, August 9, 2026.

Curated by Luisa Fernanda Perez and coordinated by Linda Hanna, this extraordinary exhibition brings together ninety textile works by artists from sixteen states across Mexico. Inspired by la Virgen de Guadalupe, these garments and wearable works of art honor one of Mexico’s most enduring cultural and spiritual icons through devotion, tradition and bold artistic expression.

The exhibition also features photographs by Jesse Herrera documenting Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Austin, drawn from the museum’s permanent collection.

Join us in celebrating the lasting legacy of la Virgen de Guadalupe as a symbol of hope, resilience and identity.

Learn More

Thank You for Supporting Mix ‘n’ Mash – On Repeat: The Musicians Who Shaped Us

We appreciate all who joined us to commemorate Mexic-Arte’s latest exhibition, Mix n Mash: The musicians who shaped us.

In this year’s Mix ‘n’ Mash, Mexic-Arte called upon artists to pay tribute to the musicians and performers who have left a lasting impression. The exhibition showcases creations by over 200 local and regional artists, each crafted on high-quality panels kindly donated by Ampersand Art Supply.

The artworks honor the individuals behind the music, featuring legendary icons, emerging talents and local artists whose voices, styles and narratives continue to shape cultural landscapes. 

If you are interested in purchasing artwork please visit us or check out our online store! 

Support local artists!

Homies in Resistance Tejas Print Fair & Pop-Up

Kitchen Table Puppets + Press is on the Homies in Resistance Tejas pop-up tour, where they are selling prints to prep for their upcoming puppet activations. On Wednesday, March 11th they held a one day mercado outside Mexic-Arte Museum. This exciting activation caught the attention of Humberto Hernández Haddad, Consul General of Mexico in Austin, who attended and enjoyed learning about the prints and printmaking process. Follow @kitchentable.puppetspress on instagram to stay up to date on the rest of the tour.

March Changarrito, Paulina Rosiles

About the Artist

Paulina Rosiles (b. 2003) is a painter and multimedia artist from El Paso, Texas. She graduated with her BA from the University of Notre Dame in May 2025 with a double major in Studio Art Honors and Economics and minoring in Latino Studies. Her senior studio art thesis, Let’s Play Dress-Up, received the Father Anthony J. Lauck, C.S.C. Thesis Award.

Rosiles has interned at the El Paso Museum of Art, the National Museum of Mexican Art and the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, where she explored various avenues of arts administration and the different ways cultural institutions serve their communities. She has exhibited in group exhibitions in South Bend, El Paso and Rome. She debuted her first solo show at Latinx Underground Projects (LÜP), an El Paso-based gallery focused on emerging artists in the region, in August 2025. Most recently, she serves as the Digital Asset Manager at LÜP, building digital archives for the gallery, and continues to exhibit her work throughout the borderland.

Artist Statement

“My work focuses on everyday scenarios from the Mexico-U.S. El Paso-Juárez border, centered on girlhood, matriarchal lineage and familial tradition, in response to skewed depictions of the region as a crisis zone. The border is both a site of struggle and resistance and of nurturing and flourishing, where mundane, mostly tranquil lives can thrive. I make sense of my home, a liminal space that is both the U.S. and Mexico, yet not fully either, and emphasize its gentleness.

My interdisciplinary practice combines painting, installation, craft, textiles, print and performance. I challenge traditional categorizations, mirroring how the border resists belonging to any nation. Recently, I’ve increasingly incorporated crochet and sewing into my work, honoring the media, the women in my family practice and the skills I’ve inherited from them.

I am influenced by domesticana, a concept coined by Amalia Mesa-Bains, describing Chicana art practices that elevate the feminine and domestic spheres. I depict elements from my everyday life that are often considered lowbrow—such as my paper dolls, fangirl crushes on Mexican actors and amateur phone-photography portraits of my family—and position them as essential to understanding borderland life. Pink is another recurring motif in my work, not only because of its traditional association with girlhood, but its strong presence in my family’s photo archive, especially in childhood photos of me (you would think my reds got mixed with my whites with how much pink I wore). I seek to expand the scope of border narratives through my art, showing that beyond herridas abiertas, la frontera is also a place capable of healing and care.”

Come visit Paulina – March 21 & 22 and 28 & 29! 

View Paulina’s Work

February Changarrito, Edward Gia

About the Artist

Edward Gia is an artist from New York, NY who is currently based in Austin, TX. His work maps the emotional terrain shaped by his Ecuadorian Mexican American identity. Spanning family archives, self-portraits, marked texts and slow gestures of care, his practice stitches together diasporic memory and personal myth that traverses the liminal spaces between fiction and autobiography touching on migration, inheritance and the ache of intergenerational silence. His work anchors themes of longing and resilience within the folds of the everyday through poetic image-making, installation and archival layering forming layered constellations. Their work has been featured at Photoville, Ma’s House & BIPOC Art Studio and The Lucie Foundation, among others. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a focus in photography and video from the School of Visual Arts (2020) and is currently pursuing his Master of Fine Arts degree in Studio Art at The University of Texas at Austin (anticipated completion in 2026).

Artist Statement

“My work blends both photography and installation to stitch together diasporic memory and personal myth. Through self-portraiture, I explore my longing to reconnect to my roots and my proximity to Mexico, and by extension, Ecuador. The camera and the shutter release cord become an extension of my body. It is both a measure of distance and a thread of intimacy that connects me land and the bond that binds me to the matriarchal lineage that I carry. These gestures unfold through poetic-image making and material experimentation, building visual narratives that give form to everyday life and inherited memory.”

Thank you for visiting Edward! 

View Edward’s Changarrito Interview

View Edward’s Work

Collections

In honor of our most recent exhibition, 2026 Mix’n’Mash- On Repeat: The Musicians Who Shaped Us, coming to an end, 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 Alejandro Macías and Natalia Anciso.

Alejandro Macias is a visual artist whose work examines identity, place and the socio-political landscape through a Mexican American lens. Raised along the U.S.-Mexico border in Brownsville, Texas, Macias draws from personal and regional histories to explore themes of assimilation, migration and cultural hybridity. His practice integrates traditional rendering, abstraction and multi-media approaches, often using the human figure as a central point of his practice. His recent honors include the 2023 Lehmann Emerging Artist Award from the Phoenix Art Museum and the Artist2Artist Art Matters Fellowship. He has held artist residencies at the Vermont Studio Center, MASS MoCA, the Wassaic Project, Château Orquevaux in France, CALA Alliance in Phoenix and the Elizabeth Murray Artist Residency in New York, among others. He currently serves as Associate Professor of Painting and Drawing at the University of Arizona in Tucson.

Natalia Anciso (Weslaco, TX, 1985). Chicana-Tejana visual artist, educator and Rio Grande Valley native. Anciso earned her BA in Studio Art from The University of Texas at Austin, her MFA from the California College of the Arts and her MA in Education from the University of California, Berkeley Graduate School of Education. Anciso has exhibited her work throughout the United States and internationally, including the San Jose Museum of Art, the Oakland Museum of California and the National Museum of Mexican Art. Her work focuses primarily around Identity, as well as human rights, race, class and education. Arts integration and social justice are paramount to her work as an urban educator. Her contributions as an artist have been acknowledged by The Huffington Post, Latina Magazine, Elle Magazine and TVyNovelas, as well as by former United States Secretary of Education, John King, Jr. She is based in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Even though 2026 Mix’n’Mash- On Repeat: The Musicians Who Shaped Us is now closed, boards that were on display this year and previous years are available to purchase on the Mexic-Arte Museum Store website. All proceeds from Mix’n’Mash supporting the museum’s programming for children and adults.

Education

Welcome Spring 2026 Interns!

Mexic-Arte Museum is excited to welcome ten undergraduate student interns. For over 30 years, Mexic-Arte Museum has served 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. Interns gain valuable skills through projects in various departments, working under the mentorship of museum professionals. Each Museum department has at least one internship position where interns, who are currently studying art, art history, museum studies and related fields, contribute to and assist with the museum’s Spring 2026 exhibitions and public programs.

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.

Totally Cool Totally Art Opening Reception

On February 19, 2026 Totally Cool Totally Art teen artists and staff celebrated their mid season awards at an opening reception at Mexic-Arte Museum. For the 2026 Totally Cool Totally Art exhibition, Mexic-Arte Museum education associates had the privilege of selecting an exciting variety of artwork in many mediums of expression- soft sculpture, soapbox derby cars, creature masks, poetry, figure drawing, film, painting and more. Teen artists created each artwork under the guidance of TCTA teaching artists during after school classes this school year. 

At the reception TCTA Staff recognized outstanding youth who received awards. Participants invited their family and friends to celebrate and view their artwork in the gallery. Congratulations, Artists and TCTA! Thank you for sharing your artwork! 

Thank you to the Totally Cool Totally Art teaching artists, Clint Hoffmeister, Kelly Hasandras and Rachel Ditzig.

Totally Cool Totally Art (TCTA) has been collaborating with Mexic-Arte Museum since 2001. TCTA is unique in that their classes are completely free to Austin’s youth teen community and are held at several recreation centers throughout Austin during after school hours. Teens learn various techniques by working directly alongside professional artists 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.

Visit https://www.austintexas.gov/department/totally-cool-totally-art to learn more.

Family Day: Puppets and Pop Up Cards with Totally Cool Totally Art!

On Sunday, February 22, visitors created paper puppets and pop up cards with Totally Cool Totally Art instructors Sergio Gonzalez and Emily Svec during Family Day. There were many innovative and expressive creations! This Family Day was a part of the 2026 Totally Cool Totally Art Exhibition of teen artists. Mexic-Arte Museum has the privilege of hosting this special exhibition each year highlighting the TCTA teen art after school program. 

Family Day is where Mexic-Arte invites visitors of all ages to view the current exhibition, let the art inspire them, then create art with an artist who is involved with the exhibition or other Museum program. Family Days are always held on selected Sundays and are always free with all art materials provided. We also have free admission every Sunday thanks to H-E-B and the Downtown Austin Alliance.

Community Art Workshop with Gil Rocha

On Sunday, February 8, 2026, artist Gil Rocha led a community workshop at Mexic-Arte Museum for a unique, hands-on art experience. Together, attendees gathered to share personal and collective stories of travel, migration, and resilience.

This workshop is part of a series commissioned by The City of Austin – Art in Public Spaces. These workshops allow the community to create small works that may influence a final public art project. This final project will be a permanent, site specific public artwork designed for Austin–Bergstrom International Airport.

The work will respond to the architecture and flow of the airport, reflect themes of movement, connection, and place, be shaped through community input and engagement, and create a moment of reflection within a busy public space. The artwork aims to be accessible, welcoming, and meaningful for travelers, airport staff, and the broader Austin community.

Gil Rocha is a Texas based public artist, educator, and community organizer. His work explores place, memory, and culture through art exhibitions, installations and community driven projects. He is also the founder of Gil Rocha Public Art Projects.

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

Save The Date – 2026 Cinco de Mayo Festival on May 2, 2026

Join Mexic-Arte Museum on Saturday, May 2, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for a free family-friendly Cinco de Mayo Festival at Republic Square, 5th St and Guadalupe St. This community event is in partnership with the City of Austin AACME Department and the Downtown Austin Alliance Foundation.

The heart of this celebration lies in the interactive booths and art activities dedicated to teaching the historical significance of Cinco de Mayo. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about the heroic 1862 Battle of Puebla, offering a meaningful connection to the cultural impact of Cinco de Mayo.

Attendees will be immersed in a festive atmosphere anchored by the sounds of traditional music and the smells of authentic Mexican cuisine. There will be a variety of food vendors offering savory and sweet delights that pay homage to the culinary heritage of Puebla. The festival will also feature a curated artisan market where local artists and vendors will showcase and sell unique, handcrafted goods.

RSVP for free through Eventbrite to receive event updates leading up to the festival!

China Poblana Costume Contest

Mexic-Arte Museum invites you to celebrate the rich tapestry of Mexican heritage by embodying the spirit of the China Poblana at the Cinco de Mayo Festival on Saturday, May 2, 2026!
The China Poblana is not merely a folkloric image but a powerful symbol of Mexico’s history, blending the resilience of an Asian enslaved woman named Catarina de San Juan with the identity of the independent mestiza women of the 19th century. We encourage participants to honor this legacy by focusing on the beauty and historical significance of the traditional attire as a representation of Mexican mestizaje and national pride. Let your portrayal reflect a deep appreciation for the story behind the symbol, celebrating the cultural fusion and enduring spirit that the China Poblana truly represents.

This contest will be for ages 17 and under. Prizes will be awarded for design, originality, and creativity.

Follow @mexic_arte on Instagram to stay up to date on the Costume Contest details.

Save The Date – 2026 Cinco de Mayo Luncheon on May 5, 2026

The Cinco de Mayo Luncheon gathers downtown businesses and stakeholders to celebrate, promote and learn about Mexic-Arte Museum, the Cinco de Mayo victory and the 5th St. Mexican American Cultural District. Mexic-Arte Museum invites you and your company to sponsor the fourth annual Cinco de Mayo Luncheon that will take place on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.

This event provides important history around Cinco de Mayo, raises awareness of the newly designated 5th St. Mexican American Cultural District and supports the museum’s programs. Mexic-Arte Museum is thrilled to host this event at the Thompson Austin, a cultural district neighbor staffed with a master chef.

Individual tickets to attend the Cinco de Mayo Luncheon are $175. See additional sponsorship opportunities below.

In addition to the luncheon, your sponsorship will support the second annual Cinco de Mayo Festival, a free event on Saturday, May 2, 2026 at Republic Square! Mexic-Arte Museum, in partnership with the Downtown Austin Alliance Foundation, and the City of Austin ACME department will present the festival, highlighting the vibrant contribution of Mexican culture to downtown Austin. This family-friendly event features a variety of engaging activities from both cultures including art activities, educational games, live performances, delicious food and diverse vendors. It’s a day dedicated to celebrating the traditions and connections that make this day special.

We hope that you will become a sponsor of the Cinco de Mayo Luncheon through art, history and camaraderie while supporting the museum. If you interested in sponsoring, please contact Mindy Radike, Development Coordinator, at .

Thank you for your support and we look forward to seeing you at the Cinco de Mayo Luncheon and Festival!

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!

Visit Mexic-Arte Museum on Free 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

Local Artists Merch & Gifts Now Featured!

Featured Artist: Laura Clay

Follow the New Artists on Instagram!

• Tressa Gonzalez – @smittenkittentx
• Laura Clay – @lauraclayart
• Marlene Macias – @shopmootmagoo
• Nydia Salinas – @clayvalleystudio
• Sofia Villanueva – @mavah_designs
• Lindsay Gabriel – @firedartsbylindsay