On Friday, November 22, 2019, Mestizo Institute of Culture & Arts (MICA) will celebrate its 16th anniversary and host its second annual fundraiser and awards celebration at its home in Sugar Space Arts Warehouse (132 South 800 West). For this Sweet 16 birthday bash, MICA will commemorate our many years of service to the Salt Lake and Westside communities and will highlight our history of providing a space dedicated to social change through arts, dialogue, activism, and education.
This year’s fundraiser and award celebration will center on the theme of Our Right to Belong and will feature a lively atmosphere, delicious food, and an exciting exhibition of artwork donated by over 30 local and nationally-recognized artists. Additionally, MICA is thrilled to recognize Leticia Alvarez, Associate Professor of Education, Culture & Society at the University of Utah, and faculty sponsor of Mestizo Arts and Activism Collective, with its second Ruby Chacón Arts & Social Justice Award.
This year, we will be hosting a VIP exhibition preview reception from 6-7 PM that will include refreshments and the opportunity to purchase artwork before the exhibition opens to the public. Tickets for the exhibition preview are available for $20 and are available for purchase through this link or at the door. After 7 PM, the event will be free and open to the public. All proceeds from the art sold this evening will directly fund MICA’s upcoming yearly programming, which includes art shows and cultural events focusing on underrepresented artists and groups in the community.
This year’s participating artists are: Andrew Alba, Nancy Andruk Olson, Alli Arocho, Ruby Chacón, Brian Christensen, Jared Lindsay Clark, Trish Empey, Emma Farr, Jonathan Frioux, Miguel Gálaz, Juan Gasca, Dionne Gordillo, Evelynn Haupt, Beth Krensky, Emily Larsen, Alethia Lunares, Christopher Lynn, Jazmine Martínez, Kristen Mitchell, Brad Overton, Nancy Rivera, Horacio Rodríguez, Jorge Rojas, Laura Sharp Wilson, Chauncey Secrist, Casey Jex Smith, John Sproul, Jared Steffensen, Brian Usher, Isaac Vázquez Ávila, and Sri Whipple.
