NHCC Art Museum to Re-Open Next Week with Debut of the Much-Anticipated Exhibition “Mira, Mira on the Wall”

National Hispanic Cultural Center

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACT
Patrick Rodriguez
505-629-2257
patrick.rodriguez@state.nm.us
May 05, 2021

ALBUQUERQUE – The National Hispanic Cultural Center (NHCC) is excited to announce the re-opening of the Art Museum on the Center’s campus on May 14, 2021. Located in the historic and vibrant neighborhood of Barelas, the NHCC Art Museum will be open to the public 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Capacity will be limited. 

 In February, the NHCC sustained a couple of waterline breaks inside two of its buildings due to extremely low temperatures across the Albuquerque area, causing minor flooding and the temporary closure of the Art Museum. All damage from the flooding has been repaired. 

Upon re-opening, visitors to the NHCC Art Museum can view the much anticipated new exhibit “Mira, Mira on the Wall: Reflecting on 20 Years of NHCC Exhibitions,” available through December 2021. Originally scheduled to debut in connection with the NHCC’s 20th anniversary last year, and available with a limited selection online, “Mira, Mira on the Wall” consists of works of art presented at the Art Museum over the past two decades, and examines their impact on the permanent collection, the importance of the stories that have been told, and celebrates the artists that have participated in shaping the identity of the Museum. These works of art have expanded a mutual understanding of American art and identity through the lens of Hispanic, Chicana/o, Latinx, and Latin American creative expression. 

“This exhibition presents an important opportunity to look back on the where NHCC Art Museum has been and honor the stories that were told through the exhibitions presented here over the years,” said Jadira Gurulé, curator at the NHCC Art Museum. “There are so many reasons why, in a moment like this, looking back can help us look forward too. We are so excited to be able to present this exhibition in the museum after having to postpone it last year.” 

“In museum years, we are a really young museum. Revisiting many of our past exhibits has been fun and reminds us of everyone we’ve met along the way, especially the artists,” said Tey Marianna Nunn, Director and Chief Curator of the NHCC Art Museum and Visual Arts Program. “Remembering so many of our wonderful exhibits also allows us to pause and decide where we want to go next. We want to be creative and nimble and we want to be able to respond to our communities and the times in which we live.” 

Situated in the Art Museum’s community gallery, the exhibition “Southwest of Eden: The Art of Adam and Eve” includes about 50 works from the Joyce Kaser Collection. The exhibit looks at the various ways in which New Mexican artists and others visually portray these two biblical figures as well as the flora and fauna in their surroundings.    

Also available for viewing is the newly updated “Aquí Estamos: New Selections from the Permanent Collection.” Every few years, the Art Museum refreshes its exhibit of artworks that showcase the breadth of the permanent collection. As always, the artworks featured in “Aquí Estamos” are global in scope and reflect the complexity of the Hispanic diasporic experience, demonstrating that there is no one way to create art that exemplifies what it means to be Hispanic, Chicana/o, Latinx, and/or Latin American.  

Cost of admission is $5 for New Mexico residents and $6 for non-state residents. Children 16 and younger are free. Wednesdays are free for state residents 60 and older. New Mexico residents are free on the first Sunday of each month. New Mexico foster families are admitted free at all times. Tickets for the Art Museum can be purchased in person at the admissions office and/or the New Mexico Mutual Welcome Center. 

The museum gift shop, performance spaces and theaters, libraries, classrooms, and collection areas remain closed. The public will not have access to coat checks, lockers, or backpack/purse storage, nor the use of rental equipment such as headsets, portable speakers, strollers, etc., unless required for ADA accessibility. Public programs, special events, and volunteer/docent activities will continue in virtual formats only. Visitors should observe social distancing and will be required to wear a mask or multilayered face covering.  

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 Center 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 historic designated building, a library, and genealogy center. The Center is a division of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs and is further supported by the National Hispanic Cultural Center Foundation.