Newsletter ~ March 2025 Dear CHAC Community, The birds are chirping outside, perennials are breaking through the soil, and warmer winds are inviting us outside. We hope that as the weather starts to warm you are exploring the new paint palette that Spring will bring and planning some time for you and your family members to be creative. CHAC Gallery is very excited to share two new exhibits that open on Friday. Women Photographing Women In Conjunction with Month of Photography Exhibit Opening: March 7th from 5pm-8pm CHAC on Santa Fe 834 Santa Fe Dr. Denver, CO 80204 “Photographs are taken with the idea that there is no right way to see and appreciate an image. The visual image plays a role in our everyday changing world. This exhibit is about the exploration and discoveries that inspire and enlighten these women photographers,” Judy Miranda exhibit curator/photographer. Women Photographing Women is in correlation with International Women’s Month, and is a wonderful way to celebrate the contributions, struggles and triumphs of women across the world. The journey of a woman artist is unique and beautiful. This exhibit features not only the photography of women from the Chicano Humanities and Arts Council, but their stories of how they came to photography. These photographers speak about what first sparked their interest in photography and who inspired them. Selena Quintanilla Art Show: Still Dreaming of You Exhibit Opening: March 7th from 5pm-8pm CHAC on Santa Fe 834 Santa Fe Dr. Denver, CO 80204
El Rey Artwork, in collaboration with the Chicano Humanities Arts Council (CHAC Gallery) and Creature Arcade Tattoo and Illustration is proud to announce the much-anticipated return of the Selena Quintanilla Art Show: "Still Dreaming of You". This year’s event, held at CHAC Gallery at 40 West (7060 W. 16th Ave. Lakewood, CO 80214) on March 7th, April 4th, and April 5th, commemorates the 30th anniversary of Selena’s untimely passing and honors the Queen of Tejano Music with three unforgettable days of vibrant art, music, culture, and celebration. The event will feature stunning artwork by Denver's finest artists, Selena-inspired tattoo flash, a look-alike contest, a karaoke competition, a Show & Shine car show, Aztec dancers, and a variety of mouthwatering food trucks.
The festivities begin on Friday, March 7th, from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM, with an exciting Opening Ceremony Art Show, including a captivating performance by the Aztec dance group Huitzilipotchli, storytelling, face painting, and fun crafts for kids. On April 4th and 5th, the celebration continues with the eagerly anticipated look-alike contest, tattoo flash event, and a high-energy Selena karaoke contest, with incredible prizes for the winners. The Viejitos Car Club will lead a procession of custom cars, culminating in a Show & Shine car show at the CHAC and Creature Arcade parking lot, where the state’s finest custom cars will be on display.
Rob and Tammy Yancey founded this event ten years ago as a heartfelt tribute to Selena, aiming to bring together the Denver community to celebrate her lasting legacy. "Selena is an icon who represents resilience and embodies the beauty of our culture through her music and spirit," says Rob & Tammy. "Though she may be gone in person, she will never be gone in spirit. Her legacy lives on in our hearts, and we’ll continue to honor her light."
Volunteer Opportunities
CHAC Gallery needs volunteers! E-mail: eventcoordinator@chacgallery.org for more info March 7th, 5pm-9pm Selena Quintanilla Art Show exhibit opening March 7th, 5pm-9pm Women Photographing Women exhibit opening March 29th, 3pm Cascarones Workshop
Cascarones Workshop March 29th from 3pm-4pm 7060 W. 16th Ave. Lakewood, CO 80204 $5 Per Person More to come in April www.chacgallery.org/currentevents
Click posters for more info!
JUDY M. SANCHEZ PHOTOGRAPHER JUDY M. SANCHEZ (1960-) IS A SOUTHWEST ORGINAL. BORN IN NEW MEXICO, SHE GREW UP ON HER GRANDPARENTS WORKING CATTLE RANCH NOT FAR FROM THE SANTA FE AREA. A SELF-TAUGHT PHOTOGRAPHER BEGINNING WITH A POLAROID INSTANT CAMERA HER FATHER GIFTED HER AT THE AGE OF EIGHT YEARS OLD. HER CURIOSITY TO THE NATURAL WORLD HAS SENT HER ON A LIFE LONG QUEST OF CONSTANT DISCOVERY TO SEEK OUT THE IMPROBABLE, THE OFFBEAT, AND THE ARTFUL ELEMENT OF SURPRISE. JUDY HAS AN ENDLESS VARIETY OF SUBJECT MATTER, FROM SCENES OF HER BELOVED CHILDHOOD HOME TO THE MAGICAL BEAUTY OF NATURE. IT DOES NOT STOP THERE. A WOMAN OF HER OWN IDEAS, SANCHEZ HAS ALWAYS BEEN INTRESTED IN PUSHING HER PHOTOGRAPHY MEDIUM TOWARD MIXED MEDIA PLATFORMS TO A MORE POETIC AND MEANINGFUL ENDEAVOR. HAVING DEFINITE POSSIBILITY OF TAKING DIVERSE MANIPULATIVE DIRECTION AS WELL AS AN INVARIABLE ONE, PROVIDED THAT INTENSE PERSONAL COMMITMENT IS THE END RESULT. JUDY HAS PARTICIPATED IN WORKSHOPS UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF OTHER PHOTOGRAPHERS SUCH AS KIM WESTON, AND ANDY KATZ. FROM 2005-2011 JUDY WORKED AT ONE OF THE NATION’S OLDERST PHOTOGRAPHIC FINE ART GALLERIES, THE CAMERA OBSCURA GALLERY, LOCATED IN DENVER, COLORADO, UNDER THE DIRECTION OF OWNER HAL GOULD AND ASSISTANT DIRECTOR LORETTA YOUNG GAUTIER. JUDY’S RICH COLLECTION OF WORKS SPANNING FOUR DECADES SHOWING GREAT DIVERSITY GAINING HER RECOGNITION IN MANY PROFESSIONAL AND COLLECTORS CICLES. HER PHOTOGRAPHS HAVE BEEN EXHIBITED IN NATIONAL GALLERIES AS WELL AS PUBLISHED IN NUMEROUS PUBLICATIONS NATIONWIDE. PHOTOS BY JUDY SANCHEZ
CHAC Gallery & Cultural Center was founded in 1978 by a group of visual and performing artists. The organization was established as a place where Chicano/Latino artists were provided with a venue to explore visual and performance art and promote and preserve the Chicano/Latino culture through the expression of the arts. CHAC is an inclusive community of creatives that are dedicated to preserving, showcasing, educating and reflecting the essence of Chicano/a/x, Latino/a/x and other multicultural/multiracial communities.
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CHAC Gallery & Cultural Center was founded in 1978 by a group of visual and performing artists. The organization was established as a place where Chicano/Latino artists were provided with a venue to explore visual and performance art and promote and preserve the Chicano/Latino culture through the expression of the arts. CHAC is an inclusive community of creatives that are dedicated to preserving, showcasing, educating and reflecting the essence of Chicano/a/x, Latino/a/x and other multicultural/multiracial communities.
