ARTE y ACTIVISMO
show dates:
 1st Thursday, August 1, 2024, 6-9PM
1st Thursday, September 5, 6-9PM
Artists reception, Saturday, September 14, 4-7PM

Another election year is upon us, and it looks scary. There is so much going on. Before making a decision it is important to reflect and look at the overall picture. We all have issues we feel passionate about, so even though our options look bleak, consider what you are voting for, the advantage is that we already know what each candidate has done and will continue to do.
For this year’s Hispanic Heritage month we are inspired by the portmanteau - Artivism.
Artivism “was first coined in 1997 in reference to the gathering of Chicano artists. . .”. (https://www.soundoflife.com/.../artivism-artists-artwork...)
The Chicano art movement focused on the work of Mexican-American artists who aimed to establish a strong artistic identity, influenced by the Chicano movement in the 1960s. https://www.soundoflife.com/.../artivism-artists-artwork...
The Chicano movement was a social and political movement that emerged in the 1960s. It was a response to the discrimination and marginalization faced by Mexican-Americans in the United States. The movement sought to promote the rights and interests of Chicano people and to challenge the negative stereotypes that were often associated with them. https://skyryedesign.com/art/chicano-art-style/
The Chicano art movement utilized artivism to address issues like immigration, human rights, cultural identity, and social justice. Their platforms of expressions and preservation included murals depicting the struggles of immigrants, protest songs that voice resistance against oppression, performance art that critiqued societal norms, and literature that explores the complexities of cultural identity.
Inspired by the Chicano art movement, Artists of various ethnic backgrounds will cultivate awareness, push boundaries, provoke thought, and advocate for change. Their art is meant to challenge stereotypes, highlight systemic inequalities, celebrate cultural heritage, and inspire action.
The goal is to engage the community, the nation, and the world by showcasing the bold and unexpected in hopes of forming new perspectives
Art has the power to communicate and promote and open dialogue.
Overall, artivism is a powerful means of storytelling, community building, and advocacy, reflecting the diversity and resilience of peoples worldwide.

Show will run from August 1 to September 30.
ARTISTS EXHIBITING
Harmony A. Vasquez
Eric Almanza
Jesse Ramirez
Martin Bustamante
Cora Ramirez-V
Brandon Harrison
K. Leistikow
Ray Vasquez