We Remember, We Celebrate, We Believe: A Photo History of Latinos in Utah

 Mestizo Institute of Culture and Arts Presents a Photo History of Latinos/as in Utah Through Time

Mestizo Institute of Culture and Arts | MICA is pleased to feature We Remember, We Celebrate, We Believe: A Photo History of Latinos in Utah, an impressive exhibit of pictures and documents related to the experience of Latinos in the state of Utah at Mestizo Gallery in Salt Lake City, Utah from April 9th through May 10th. This ethno-photographic exhibit recreates the history of Latinos since the time when the Aztecs and Utes inhabited Utah’s territory to our present days. The themes explored in this exhibit, among others, include maps and documents from the time Utah was part of the Mexican territory, the creation of the first Hispanic communities in Monticello and San Juan County, to the photographs of the most important events involving Utah Latinos/as nowadays.

These pictures were collected by researchers at the University of Utah throughout the state. Other organizations that contributed to this project are Utah State Historical Society, the Center of Documentary Art, the American West Center, Salt Lake Tribune, the Special Collections at the University of Utah, and multiple families and Latino organizations.

On Tuesday, May 6th, 2014, from 6-8pm, Mestizo Gallery will be hosting a free and open to the public Meet the Artists reception in collaboration with Artes de México en Utah, a partner non-profit organization dedicated to the appreciation of Mexican art & culture in our community. This is an opportunity for the organizers of this exhibit to talk about this project. For more information about Artes de México en Utah, please visit www.artesdemexicoenutah.org

We Remember, We Celebrate, We Believe was put together by professor Armando Solórzano at the University of Utah. In total, he invested nearly twenty years in the creation of this project. According to Dr. Solórzano, the aim of this endeavor is to increase the level of awareness of the presence of Latinos in the state, and to bring about tolerance and understanding in our communities. This exhibit has been displayed since 2002. In 2004, the exhibit was granted the Governor Award in the Humanities. Approximately 120,000 people have visited the exhibit and this will be the last time We Remember, We Celebrate, We Believe will be displayed.

We Remember, We Celebrate, We Believe will coincide with the National Chicano and Chicana Studies Conference to be held in downtown Salt Lake City from April 9th through April 12th. The exhibit INROADS TO CHANGE: Winning Entries of the 6th Annual César Chávez Contest has been extended through the end of April and will be displayed in the annex gallery (in the back).

Mestizo Institute of Culture and Arts is a non-profit organization that strives to enrich community through art and civic engagement and seeks to give underrepresented artists and communities in Salt Lake City a voice. www.mestizoarts.org