“Madre Mia, Madre De” by Mayolo Gomez

A collection of work by Bay Area Chicano artists

Exhibition Dates:
September 18-November 1, 2025
Opening Reception: Thursday, September 18, 5:30-7:30pm

The use of the term “Chicano,” or more recently, “Xicano,” is a self-proclaimed identity for many Americans of Mexican descent. It originated in the Civil Rights movements of the 1960s as a form of empowerment and pride. The more recent use of the capital ‘X’ is an expression of Indigenous experiences of colonialization and has its roots in Spanish simplification of the pictographic Nahuatl language. Some add an ‘x’ to the end of the word (Xicanx) to include gender-non-binary people.

The artists invited to participate in this exhibition call Sonoma County home. Their work expresses individual stories of identity and experience. It references cultural roots and responds to society. It speaks to the creative experience of being Xicano today—American, Mexican, Californian, Indigenous—and being an artist in an ever-changing landscape.

Related Events

Lowrider Festival on Saturday, September 27, from 12-4 pm.

Dia de Los Muertos closing party and altar on Saturday, November 1, from 12-4 pm.

Participating Artists

Artists include Brian Arriaga (B’Loved), Mo Bernal, Walter Chavez, Maria de Los Angeles, Rosa Diaz-Serrano, Jocelyn Garcia, Alexis Ginez, Mayolo Gomez, Nathan Gomez, Josue Orellana, Edilia Mendez, Valerie Calzada-Martinez and David “Chop” Martinez, Peter Perez, Irma Rodriguez, Manny Rodriguez, Alex Roman, Eduardo Soto Ceron, Andrew Valencia, Bryan Vargas, Lucero Vargas, and Martin Zúñiga.

Jurors: Anabell Nuñez, Juan Roman, Vicky Kumpfer, and Maggie Parr

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