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Programs · Past program · 2020–2022

Hecho en Colorado

An exhibition of historically significant paintings, sculptures, textiles and writings from Colorado's Chicano/Mexican American community, presented with History Colorado.

Painting by Carlos Sandoval of a woman wrapped in a black rebozo, with birds flying over a green valley.

Hecho en Colorado brought together historically significant paintings, sculptures, textiles and writings from Colorado's Chicano/Mexican American community — work by prominent figures such as Carlota EspinoZa, Carlos Frésquez and David Ocelotl García alongside up-and-coming artists. All of the work comes from the Abarca Family Collection.

Presented with History Colorado, the exhibition opened at the History Colorado Center in Denver in 2020 and was on view through January 10, 2021. It then traveled to El Pueblo History Museum in Pueblo, where it filled the free Community Gallery through December 23, 2022.

When well-established institutions fail to acknowledge or document the history and artistic expressions of an ethnic minority community, it is easy to overlook the value of their contributions. … It has been my life's work to ensure that at least some of that history is valued and preserved for future generations. … The Mexican/Chicano/Native people have been in this region from the very beginning of the modern history of Colorado. We have been an integral part of every aspect of Colorado's history.

— Adrianna Abarca, founder of the Latino Cultural Arts Center and curator of Hecho en Colorado

Exhibition artists

Lalo Delgado, John Encinias, Victor Escobedo, Juan Espinosa, Carlota EspinoZa, Javier Flores, John Flores, Carlos Frésquez, Juan Fuentes, David Ocelotl García, Joaquin Gonzáles, Miguel González, Quintin González, JOLT, Ramon Kelley, Karma Leigh, Lu Liñan, Josiah Lee Lopez, Arlette Lucero, Stevon Lucero, Dan Luna, Sofia Márquez, Emanuel Martínez, Adrian H Molina, Norberto Mojardin, Tony Ortega, Lorenzo Ramirez, Manuel Ramos, Abi Rosales, Daniel Salazar, Ana Marina Sanchez, Carlos Sandoval, Carlos Santistevan, Armando Silva, Zoots by Suavecito, Leo Tanguma, Eric Trujillo, Lorenzo Trujillo and Jerry Vigil.

Voces en Arte

Created with History Colorado to accompany the exhibition, Voces en Arte was a seven-part series of conversations about the importance of Native, Mexicano and Chicano art in Colorado. Conversations included:

  • Cal Duran and David Ocelotl Garcia
  • Juan Fuentes and JOLT
  • Arlette Lucero and Karma Leigh
  • Juan Espinosa and Daniel Salazar
  • Emanuel Martinez and Victor Escobedo
  • Carlos Frésquez and Tony Ortega

Hecho en Colorado Coloring Book

The Hecho en Colorado Coloring Book gathers 22 original drawings by Colorado artists in the LCAC collection. Read the 303 Magazine story.

Photos

  • Blue mixed-media artwork with Indigenous-inspired symbols and figures.
  • Painting of an Indigenous woman in bright clothing seated inside a full moon, with a rainbow.
  • Painted portrait of an Indigenous man wearing a red headwrap and green headdress.
  • Painting of an elderly woman in a shawl holding a glowing globe, the night sky within her shawl.
  • Painting of a woman in an orange shawl tending a small tree in a desert landscape.
  • Sculpted jaguar mask over a skull-like face, mounted on a stand.
  • Ornate skull sculpture framed with turquoise stones and silver.
  • Painting of a nude rider on a spotted white horse against a deep blue background.
  • Painting of the Santo Niño in a blue robe seated in an ornate niche surrounded by roses.
  • Painting of a snowy rural landscape with bare trees and an adobe building.
  • Pencil drawing titled 'Vaqueros Para Siempre' showing horsemen herding cattle.
  • Painted portrait of an older man in a cowboy hat.
  • Black-and-white photograph of a group posing in front of a vintage car with the Denver skyline behind them.
  • Pencil drawing of many faces of community members arranged around a central figure.
  • Black-and-white woodcut prints of revolutionary figures and portraits.
  • Painting of a pink church with twin bell towers under a starry red sky.
  • Black-and-white photograph of a young man in a hoodie reading 'Mi Raza'.
  • Painted portrait of a woman with flowing purple hair and a blue hat.
  • Collage painting of figures falling through the sky above a young man in a suit.
  • Graffiti piece with bright green and yellow letters on a black background.
  • Sculpture of a female figure in a dress decorated with flowers, in a gallery.
  • Expressive painted portrait of an older man with white hair.
  • Painting of Frida Kahlo surrounded by portraits and plants.

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