Latina and Latinx MN: Re/claiming Space in Times of Change

Featuring 42 self-identifying Latina women and non-binary Latinx Minnesota-based artists with ancestral roots in Latin America, this show is a comprehensive survey highlighting a variety of media, methods and themes that center and celebrate a diverse group of Latina and Latinx artists from across the state. By platforming each artist’s distinct history and identity, this exhibition seeks to honor the contributions of Latina and Latinx artists to our state’s shared past, present and future cultural heritage. The curators explain their intent:

“As a multicultural and collective expression, Latina and Latinx MN: Re/claiming Space in Times of Change breaks the barriers of assumption. The exhibit is the first large comprehensive survey of self-identifying Latina women and Latinx non-binary Minnesota-based artists with ancestral roots in Latin America, an expanded designation for a group of resilient and unique artists whose journeys and fates lead us to this moment, each unconditionally committed to art as a universal transformative force …

Embedded in each piece is the pride of being a Latina woman and a Latinx non-binary person, an experience often reduced to a social phenomenon by outsiders but affirmed here as an unequivocal historical, unifying and rich American condition. The ancestral roots in Latin America are then the pathway from a shared heritage, struggles and achievements, to the social and political present.”

The artists will be present at the opening reception on Saturday, September 7, 5–8pm.

Participating artists:

Adriana Gordillo, Alondra M. Garza, Ana Hortencia Freeberg, Carlota Gay, Rio Pérez, Filis R. Díaz, Ivonne Paulina Jasso Yáñez, Joci Salguero, Kandace Creel Falcón, Sary Kelly Salaya-Molina, Lys Akerman-Frank, Magdalena Corinne Kaluza, Maria Linsday, Martha Gabriela Driessen, Mary Miranda, Melodee Strong, Mikha "Mikhamik" Dominguez, Mónica Vega, Nancy Ariza, Natalia Rocafuerte, Nayelie Avalos, Raquel Diaz Goutierez, Rebekah Crisanta de Ybarra, Rosanna Ramirez, Sam Mendez, Sandra Felemovicius, Sandra Lucía Castañeda, Savannah Bustillo, Savita Cristina Bettaglio, Selma Fernández Richter, Sofía Padilla, Verónica Torres, Constanza Carballo, Cecilia Cornejo Sotelo, Selena Medellin, Lynda Grafito, Marina Castillo, Deborah Ramos, Carmen Gutiérrez-Bolger, María José Castillo, Zamara Cuyún and Maria Cristina (Tina) Tavera

Curatorial Team:

Co-curated by Zamara Cuyún and William Gustavo Franklin Torres; with Carmen Gutiérrez-Bolger, Lynda Grafito, Marina Castillo, Cecilia Cornejo Sotelo, María Constanza Carballo, Selena Medellin, Deborah Ramos and María José Castillo as curatorial assistants and consultants. 

Events:

All events are in-person. Note: For ASL Interpreting and other accommodations, please contact Gallery Director Nicole Watson (nmwatson@stkate.edu) at least one week prior to each event.

Thursday, September 26, 6-8pm: Diversity and Emotional Richness of the LGBTQIA+ Community - Mikha "Mikhamik" Dominguez in conversation with Nayelie Avalos, moderated by Martha Driessen. Free and open to the public.

Tuesday, October 1, 5-7pm: Shadow Puppetry workshop - Led by Lys Akerman-Frank and Sofía Padilla. Free and open to the public. Limited to 20 participants, RSVP required.

Thursday, October 17, 6-8pm: Representations of Self: Altered States and Familia Connections - Sandra Lucía Castañeda in conversation with Adriana Gordillo, moderated by Ivonne Paulina Jasso Yáñez. Free and open to the public. Part of Twin Cities Art Week.

Thursday, November 7, 6-8pm: Social practice & Vandalism of Art - Sam Mendez in conversation with Nancy Ariza. Free and open to the public.

Thursday, November 14, 6-8pm: Photography and Motherhood - Selma Fernández Richter in conversation with Carlota Gay. Free and open to the public.

Thursday, December 5, 5-7pm: Printmaking Workshop - Led by Lynda Grafito and Nancy Ariza. Free and open to the public. Limited to 16 participants, RSVP required.

Sponsored by the St. Catherine University Mission Chairs and presented in partnership with the St. Catherine University Amy Marie Sears Memorial Visiting Artist Series.

This work is funded in part by the Minnesota Humanities Center (MHC) with money from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund that was created with the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008.