Nepantla is a group exhibition that explores the experience of being in between two worlds, or two cultures. The ‘in between’ is Nepantla. Nepantla is a Nahuatl (Aztec language) term which describes being in the middle or the space in the middle. This exhibition, curated by noted artist and educator Tony Ortega, celebrates the intersectionality and cross pollination of cultures; Mexican, indigenous and American. It brings together 36 Chicano/Latino artists who explore a variety of themes such as identity, memory, and struggle, with each creating a unique rich and diverse conversation in their art. Nepantla lives in the traditions, politics, and complexities of community. It is also a celebration of culture and the Mexican American history of Colorado and Northern New Mexico. Ortega will talk during the opening reception on October 3 at 6:30pm; the reception is from 6 to 8 pm. The exhibition is on display through January 5, 2025. A panel discussion will be held at the museum on Thursday, November 7, 2024 at 7:00pm, featuring Ortega, Dr. James Cordova of the University of Colorado Boulder, Dr. Khristin Montes of Regis University and Dr. George Rivera (Ret) from University of Colorado Boulder.
Participating artists include:
Cipriano Ortega, Hope Lives in Bernardo, 2023, acrylic on wood panel, 47 x 36 inches
- April Bojorquez
- Alfredo Cardenas
- James Cordova
- Victor Escobedo
- Angel Estrada
- Javier Flores
- Diego Florez-Arroyo
- Carlos Fresquez
- Lynn Fresquez
- Juan Fuentes
- Anthony Garcia, Sr.
- Matthew Garcia
- Ada Gonzalez
- Quintín Gonzalez
- Kimberly Gutierrez
- Lizeth Guadalupe
- Veronica Herrera
- Emilio Lobato
- Josiah Lee Lopez
- Arlette Lucero
Josiah Lee Lopez, Creation Lot 20, 2023, acrylic marker, archival ink pen on paper, 48 x 48 inches
- Emanuel Martinez
- Sylvia Montero
- David Ocelotl Garcia
- Cipriano Ortega
- Tony Ortega
- Vanessa Porras
- George Rivera
- Catherine Robles Shaw
- Anita Rodriguez
- Daniel Salazar
- Maruca Salazar
- Carlos Santistevan
- Armando Silva
- Maye Torres
- Sean Trujillo
- Jolt/Jeremy Ulibarri
- Frank Zamora
Armando Silva, Mito, 2024, acrylic and aerosol painting on canvas, 5 x 4 feet
Curator Tony Ortega is a Denver-based visual artist, and educator. His work has been exhibited in over 30 solo shows and featured in exhibitions at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Denver, CO, Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, Colorado Spring Fine Art Center, Harwood Museum, Taos NM, Redline Art Center, Denver and the National Hispanic Cultural Center, Albuquerque, NM. Tony Ortega holds an MFA in drawing and painting from the University of Colorado Boulder and is currently a professor for Regis University. In 2018, he was the Regis College faculty lecture of the year. He was the recipient of the coveted Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts (1999) and the Mayor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts (1998). His work is in the collections of the Denver Art Museum, the Los Angeles County Museum, Blanton Art Museum, Austin, TX and the Museo Estudio Diego Rivera, Mexico City. His work is represented by William Havu Gallery, in Denver, CO.
Support for this exhibition comes from: City of Fort Collins Fort Fund, Local IQ, Merrill, US Bank, Lili Francuz, Mulberry Max, The Elizabeth Hotel and Da Vinci Sign Systems, Inc.