Panel Discussion Explores Three Generations of Chicana Portraiture in Los Angeles

San Diego artists join LA counterparts to discuss identity, memory, and social justice through figurative works

Mar. 3, 2026 at 4:15am

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This powerful intergenerational exhibition of Chicana portraiture brings together artists from Los Angeles and San Diego to explore identity, memory, activism, and healing through the human figure. Blending contemporary realities with ancestral memory, these figurative works honor matriarchal lineages, personal narratives, and an enduring commitment to social justice.

Why it matters

The exhibition aligns with the legacy of Chicano art while also paying tribute to long-standing Latin American traditions of magical realism and folk art, providing a platform for diverse perspectives and artistic voices within the Chicana/o community.

The details

Originally curated by Sybil Venegas for Avenue 50 Studio in Los Angeles, the exhibition includes artists from different generations - Baby Boomers, Gen X and Millennials. The expanded presentation in San Diego features local artists Marianela de la Hoz, Katie Ruiz, and Ale Ruiz Tostado, presenting their work alongside their Angeleno counterparts.

  • The exhibition is on view from February 9 to March 5, 2026.
  • The artist panel and reception will take place on Saturday, February 28, 2026 from 4 to 7 p.m., with the panel starting at 4:30 p.m.

The players

Sybil Venegas

The curator who originally organized the exhibition at Avenue 50 Studio in Los Angeles.

Marianela de la Hoz

A San Diego-based artist participating in the expanded presentation of the exhibition.

Katie Ruiz

A San Diego-based artist participating in the expanded presentation of the exhibition.

Ale Ruiz Tostado

A San Diego-based artist participating in the expanded presentation of the exhibition.

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The takeaway

This exhibition provides a platform for diverse perspectives and artistic voices within the Chicana/o community, honoring matriarchal lineages, personal narratives, and an enduring commitment to social justice through the powerful medium of portraiture.