The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art and Culture in Riverside, California, is celebrating its fourth anniversary by opening a new exhibition titled "We the People: Chicano Art in the U.S.A." Curated by artist and gallery curator Benito Huerta, the show features over 60 artists and 120 works, including pieces by Vincent Valdez, Alejandro Macias, and Sonia Romero. The exhibition runs from May 30 through May 23, 2027, and the museum has welcomed over 400,000 visitors in its four years. A public birthday party for Cheech Marin’s 80th birthday will be held on July 12.
The exhibition matters because it makes a declarative statement about Chicano identity and belonging within the United States, asserting that Chicano artists and their communities are integral to American culture. More than half of the artworks address urgent social and political themes such as immigration, borders, and migration, reflecting the ongoing relevance of Chicano art in national conversations. The show also highlights the continued growth and community impact of The Cheech, a dedicated institution for Chicano art that has drawn significant public engagement.