A new exhibition titled XICANA! San Diego has opened at the California Center for the Arts in Escondido, featuring over 250 artworks by more than 100 Chicana artists from Southern California. The show includes sculptures, murals, photography, and lowrider installations, with a centerpiece 14-foot sculpture of the Aztec goddess Tonantzin by guest artist Louis Verdad, and a custom lowrider owned by Rachel Zepeta. The exhibition is curated by Dulce Stein in collaboration with ESMoA and the City Heights Community Development.
This exhibition matters because it addresses the historical underrepresentation of Chicana artists in museums, offering a platform for cultural identity, resilience, and community healing. By reclaiming space and fostering empathy, XICANA! San Diego serves as a movement that affirms the heritage and stories of Chicana women, making it a significant event for both the local San Diego County community and the broader conversation about diversity in the art world.