Visitors explore the art exhibition Voces del Pueblo: Artists of the Levantamiento Chicano in New Mexico at the National Hispanic Cultural Center. Courtesy/NHCC
NMDCA News:
ALBUQUERQUE — Following a successful opening for the National Hispanic Cultural Center’s art exhibition Voces del Pueblo: Artists of the Levantamiento Chicano in New Mexico in April, the Center has announced a series of artist talks, workshops, musical performances and more, dedicated to helping visitors understand the exhibition from a deeper perspective throughout the rest of 2025.
“We are excited to work collaboratively with the exhibition curators, artists whose work is featured in the exhibition, and scholars to provide opportunities for the public to learn more about this important history while also getting to know the artists and their incredible stories better,” NHCC Head Curator and Visual Arts Program Manager Jadira Gurulé said.
Open since April 25, Voces del Pueblo, an exhibition guest-curated by Ray Hernández-Durán, Ph.D. and Irene Vásquez, Ph.D, features the work of six artists who were students at New Mexico Highlands University (NMHU) in Las Vegas in the early 1970s when Chicano scholar Pedro Rodríguez was hired as the inaugural Director of Chicano Studies at NMHU. The artworks on display capture a distinctly New Mexican Chicana and Chicano experience and an important part of Chicano art and history.
On Sunday, Aug. 3, the slate of programs kicks off with the first of three Pláticas Públicas events, offering visitors the chance to explore the exhibition with the artists themselves. During this event, enjoy a gallery tour and musical performance by featured artist Francisco Lefebre from 2–4 p.m..
September, October and November will also bring additional works, discussions, and musical performances.
In September, guest artist Roberta Marquez, whose work is featured in the exhibition, will join the Center’s monthly Happy Arte Hour and teach attendees to create art inspired by the exhibition on Thursday, Sept. 4. Three weeks later, stop by the Visual Art Museum for a lecture and Q&A with Julianna Loera-Wiggins digging into the history of the Early Chicano Movement at New Mexico Highlands University at 6 p.m., Sept. 25.
On Sunday, Oct. 5, the Center’s next Plática Pública will feature artists Juanita J. Lavadie and Ignacio “Nacho” Jaramillo in the Visual Art Museum. Then, join us for an evening of music and community with Pachanga Chicana, hosted by Lefebre and Chuy Martinez offsite at 1523 7th St. NW from 6–10 p.m., Friday, October 17.
November will bring a pair of talks about the range of artworks on display in the exhibition. Join us at the Albuquerque Museum (2000 Mountain Rd. NW) for a panel discussion with Chicana and Chicano muralists about the process of creating murals, moderated byVoces del Pueblo co-curator Irene Vásquez, at 6 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 6. Then, head back to the NHCC Visual Art Museum for a lecture and Q&A on Chicana feminism and art in New Mexico, led by University of New Mexico associate professor Bernadine Hernández, introduced by Voces del Pueblo co-curator Ray Hernández-Durán. The Center’s final Plática Pública, featuring artists Roberta Márquez and Adelita M. Medina, will take place on Sunday, Dec. 7.
These events are free to attend and held at the NHCC Visual Art Museum, located at 1701 4th Street SW, unless otherwise specified. Visit nhccnm.org/events to learn more and register today!
More about the National Hispanic Cultural Center
The National Hispanic Cultural Center is dedicated to the preservation, promotion, and advancement of Hispanic culture, arts, and humanities. The NHCC presents mission-related events throughout the year, some produced by its history, literary, performing, and visual arts programs, and others by partnering with external organizations. Events take place at its 20-plus-acre campus, which includes a plaza, an art museum, a historically designated building, a library, and a genealogy center. The NHCC is a division of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs and is further supported by the National Hispanic Cultural Center Foundation.
