(Santa Ana, CA)—Santa Ana College (SAC) dedicates its first exhibit of the 2017-2018 year to all women, past and present who have made contributions to our communities, cities, state, country and world. In particular, SAC is highlighting the important role that Latina and Chicana women have played in the Chicano movement.
“Las Mujeres de Aztlan” opens on Saturday, August 5 at the SAC Arts Gallery at the Santora Building, 207 N. Broadway, Suite Q, in Santa Ana. An opening reception, which is free and open to the public, will be held from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. The show runs through Saturday, September 2. Gallery hours are: Fridays from noon to 4:00 p.m., First Saturday Artwalks from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and by appointment.
The exhibit’s guest curator is Abram Moya, Jr. Moya, who was born in Kern County and grew up in Los Angeles County, has earned his degrees in sociology with a minor in art. He has always been interested in art, but he used his credentials to work in the community as an activist for social justice. During the upsurge of the Chicano movement, Abram was not only inspired by the political movement but also by the rise of the Chicano culture, mainly with artists such as “Los Tres Grandes” of Mexico - Diego Rivera, Jose Clemente Orozco, and David Alfaro Siqueiros. Moya’s personal artwork shows a strong proclivity toward social realism, and his work has been shown at the Newport Art Festival, the Bowers Museum, the Orange County Museum of Contemporary Art as well as many other venues.
Moya states, “In the Chicano movement it was not only Cesar Chavez protesting in the fields, but also Dolores Huerta who did the negotiations with the growers. Also, it was Mrs. Mendez who also told the education system in California “Ya Basta” with segregation of our children in schools. Women have proven over and over again that they are a force that can and probably will make changes in this country or even the world that no man thought they could or have done.”
Through the eyes of the 23 artists, using various media, the exhibition brings a wide range of perspectives to the role that women, and particularly Latina and Chicana women, play in our communities and in our lives. Diverse contributions come from artists including Marina Aguilera, Barbara Bordonaro, Cynthia Bustos, Rosa Celestino, Briyana Negrette, Cecilia Ortiz, Maria Reyna, Alicia Rojas, Rosemary Vasquez Tuthill, and others.
For more information or to make an appointment to visit the gallery, call (714) 564-5615 or visit www.sac.edu.edu/art.
About Santa Ana College
Santa Ana College (SAC), which turned 100 years old in 2015, serves about 18,000 students each semester at its main campus in Santa Ana. The college prepares students for transfer to four-year institutions, provides invaluable workforce training, and customized training for business and industry. In addition, another 11,000 students are served through the college’s School of Continuing Education located at Centennial Education Center. Ranked as one of the nation’s top two-year colleges awarding associate degrees to Latino and Asian students, the college is also recognized throughout the state for its comprehensive workforce training programs for nurses, firefighters, law enforcement and other medical personnel. SAC is one of two comprehensive colleges under the auspices of the Rancho Santiago Community College District. Visit www.sac.edu to learn more.
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