State of the Art: Your Weekly Guide to LA’s Latino Art Openings

State of The Art is Remezcla’s weekly guide to Latin art openings in your city each week. Mingle with art admirers, collectors and casual passersby to check out these new works. And don’t forget to grab a free glass of wine…or three.

Picturing Mexico: Alfredo Ramos Martínez in California — Pasadena Museum of California Art and Serigrafía

The Pasadena Museum of California Art is rolling out some really awesome shows dealing with Latino culture this weekend. The museum will be hosting three new exhibition openings, two of which deal with Mexico and the Latino culture in California. For starters, the Alfredo Ramiro Martínez show is the first big museum exhibition to showcase his work. Working at the same time as Mexican muralists like Diego Rivero and David Alfaro, he created artworks with a more modernist twist. Born in Monterrey, the artist traveled to Paris and in the 1930s came to California; you can see some of his work today at Scripps College.

The second show, called Serigrafía, will focus on California silkscreens, dating from the 1970s to today, that are important to Latino culture. The works as a group show stylistic changes and also capture major political events over the decades. And if you’ve never seen Ester Hernandez’ iconic “Sun Mad” silkscreen, now is your chance — it’s an image you won’t forget.

The opening receptions will take place January 18 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Admission is $5.

photo l.a. 2014

If you’re a photography lover, this is your time to witness 60,000 square feet of photographs. The Downtown L.A. Mart will house photo l.a. 2014 from January 16 to 19. The event basically brings together all sorts of creative minds and a plethora of photographs, some even dating from as far back as the 19th century. The event caters to both art lovers and art makers, offering programs like a panel on how to make and sell art books and a talk about filmmaker Gabriel Figueroa. Freestyle, known for photography supplies, will also be on hand offering a tutorial on printing. Tickets are $20 for one day or $30 for a weekend pass, with some seminars costing extra, and are available online.

Artventure Sundays — MOLAA

Sundays fundays are even better with some art in the mix. Head to the Museum of Latin American Art on January 19 for a day full of artventures. A workshop from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. revolves around the Latino/US Cotidiano exhibit, where you will work on a Superhero Tunnel Book. At 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. you can tour the museum with artist Isamel Anda III. At 2 p.m., docents will also be on hand giving tours. All in all, a great day to stop in at any time, see some Latino art, and maybe go home with a creation of your own.