Join us for a wonderful opportunity to hear Chicano artist Gaspar Enríquez speak about his experiences as a Chicano artist, the changes he has seen in the field of Chicano art, and where he sees Chicano art headed in the future. This presentation is the concluding program for the Museum of Art’s retrospective exhibition of his work, Gaspar Enríquez: Chicano Pride, Chicano Soul.” The presentation is scheduled for Saturday, May 6th, 1-2pm at the Museum of Art. It is also the last day for viewing the exhibition.

Gaspar Enríquez is a nationally recognized Chicano artist from El Paso, Texas, who uses an airbrush to create hyper-realistic portraits. His portraits show the humanity of the El Paso Chicano community and the tensions they face when living in a two-culture environment. Enríquez’s Chicano heritage is a consistent thread that ties together his work, which reflects his life experiences, the urban environment, and the people of his hometown.

Gaspar Enríquez was born and raised in the Segundo Barrio of El Paso, Texas, in 1942. He earned a Bachelor of Art from University of Texas, El Paso in 1971 and a Master of Art from New Mexico State University in 1985. Enriquez was an art teacher at Bowie High School in El Paso for 32 years. Since his retirement, he has focused on his artwork and renovating adobe structures in the historic downtown of San Elizario, Texas. His artwork is in the collections of the National Portrait Gallery at the Smithsonian Institution, the Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture, the El Paso Museum of Art, and other prominent institutions.

The museum is located at 491 N. Main St. and is open Tuesday through Friday from 10am to 4:30pm and Saturday 9am to 4:30pm. There is no admission fee. The museum is accessible from RoadRUNNER Transit Route 1 Stop 1. For additional information, visit the website at https://www.lascruces.gov/museums or call (575)541-2137.