Celebrating the cultural commonalities that Mexican-Americans in Los Angeles and Mexicans share, the unique AltaMed Art Collection exhibit aims to break down walls between two countries in an era of political tension

In a landmark cultural exchange, the renowned Museo de Arte Carrillo Gil (MACG) in Mexico City and Los Angeles-based AltaMed Health Services, the nation’s largest federally qualified community health center (FQCH), will collaborate to present “Bridges in Time of Walls: Mexican/Chicano Art from Los Angeles to Mexico,” a multigenerational selection of works by Chicano and Latino artists from Los Angeles, that will open at the MACG in September 21, 2018 – November 25, 2018.

AltaMed will host a private reception to announce the details of the exhibit at Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). Special guest speakers will include: The Mexican Consul General in Los Angeles, Carlos Garcia de Alba and Councilman Jose Huizar, who represents Los Angeles’ 14th district.

Featuring the works of nearly 30 Los Angeles-based artists, the AltaMed Art Collection exhibit “Bridges in Time of Walls” aims to address the many commonalities rooted in the shared history, traditions, and rich appreciation for art, music, and family that exist between those who live in Mexico and those who have emigrated to Los Angeles to set roots in the United States.

The landmark exhibition will feature more than 40 paintings, sculpture, photographs, videos, and  mixed media works from renowned Los Angeles Chicano and Latino artists such as: Carlos Almaraz, Frank Romero, Patssi Valdez, Salomón Huerta, Ana Serrano, Vyal One, Gary Garay, Shizu Saldamando, Yolanda Gonzalez, Roberto Gil de Montes, Cindy Santos Bravo, Judithe Hernández, Jose Ramirez, ASCO, and more.

“Art has a powerful way of creating dialogue, knowledge and understanding of culture and history that’s relevant to Mexicans on both sides of the border,” said Cástulo de la Rocha, president and CEO of AltaMed Health Services, whose vision catalyzed the international exhibition. “With so many commonalities shared between us, it’s amazing that residents of Mexico City have little understanding of the cultural nuances of Chicanos in East Los Angeles. Art can begin a meaningful dialogue on the historic bond shared by all of Mexican descent.”

For nearly five decades, AltaMed has provided health services to Latino, multi-ethnic, and underserved communities in southern California. As part of its holistic approach to health care, AltaMed exhibits its art collection throughout all 50 of its clinics and service sites, whose subjects reflect the diverse communities it serves.