On October 12 from 3pm-5pm, the Silver City Museum unveils the fourth annual Arte Chicano! This exhibition series was created to highlight Chicano artists working in this area. This year we are pleased to have artwork from Michelle Diaz Candelaria, Atziry Apodaca, and Simon Sotelo III. Artists will be present to discuss their work, which represents a fascinating variety of perspectives, mediums, and aesthetics.

Light refreshments will be served as guests have the opportunity to chat with the artists about their work and collaborate in a guided creative activity inspired by Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera.

Atziry Apodaca adorns car doors and sunglasses with painted scenes from a childhood spent crossing the U.S. border in search of opportunity.

Born in Silver City, Michelle Candelaria became passionate about art after raising a family and going back to school. She works in mixed media and is inspired by her “faith, beliefs, and culture.” She is also a kindergarten teacher at Sixth Street Elementary.  

Simon Sotelo III comes from a multigenerational family from the Mimbres Valley. His family were homesteaders to the area around the 1830s and 1840s. It is this deep sense of history that is the inspiration for Simon's work. His "Neo-Mimbreño" style brings modern color to designs inspired by the ancient inhabitants of the Mimbres.

The Silver City Museum creates opportunities for residents and visitors to explore, understand, and celebrate the rich and diverse cultural heritage of southwestern New Mexico by collecting, preserving, researching, and interpreting the region's unique history. Admission is free; a suggested donation of $5helps support the museum’s education programs, collections care and exhibitions. For more information, please contact the museum at (575) 538-5921 education@silvercitymuseum.org , or visit the museum's website: www.silvercitymuseum.org