Her project at the state’s flagship history museum, the History Colorado Center, also presents a crowdsourced collage project featuring Chicana activists. With a performance by Su Teatro and galvanizing opening remarks, the free catered reception from 5:30 to 8 p.m. also opens Year of La Chicana, a community partnership between History Colorado and El Movimiento Advisory Committee. The deadline to RSVP at HistoryColorado.org/year-la-chicana-opening-reception-rsvp is September 7. The event is generously sponsored by AARP.

Year of La Chicana’s mission is to celebrate and honor La Chicana past, present, and future; to share her story with a wide range of audiences; and to connect the core issues of the Chicano Movement with present-day issues of social justice, identity, and inclusion. Forthcoming events include a Chicano murals conference on October 19 and a lecture at Pueblo Community College on homesteader Teresita Sandoval on November 15. A speaker’s bureau is also available for presentations to groups and classes. Information is available at HistoryColorado.org/chicana. An online group also facilitates conversation at facebook.com/groups/yearoflachicana.  

“History Colorado aims to be a place where communities connect to tell their own stories,” said Marissa Volpe, Director of Community Engagement. “Hosting Year of La Chicana illuminates our state's vibrant Chicana history, a vital story that helps us create a better future.”

El Movimiento Advisory Committee is comprised of Colorado Chicano activists who have worked to direct the creation of the El Movimiento exhibit at History Colorado since 2014. Originally a temporary display, El Movimiento is now a core exhibit on long-term view at the History Colorado Center. It uses artifacts, photos, archival video footage, and activists’ own voices to tell about the struggle for labor rights, student activism, the Vietnam War, and more. 

Members of the El Movimiento Advisory Committee include Adrianna Abarca, Magdalena Aguayo, David Atekpatzin Young, Ramon Del Castillo, Deborah Espinosa, Juan Espinosa, Antonio Esquibel, Priscilla Falcón, Cecilia Flores, Gail Gonzales, Charlotte Gonzales, Nicki Gonzales, Ricardo La Fore, Lucha Martínez de la Luna, Emanuel Martinez, Rita Martinez, Ernesto Torres, Roberto Rey, Carlos Santistevan, Pauline Rivera, Daniel Salazar, and Ruth Sanchez. 

About the Artist
Arlette Lucero earned a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from Colorado State University in Fort Collins and completed two years of graphic arts through the Community College of Denver. She has taught art education for over twelve years in Colorado and is an active volunteer and current member at the Chicano Humanities and Arts Council of Denver. Lucero also has over 30 years of experience as a fine artist, professional graphic artist, children’s book illustrator, and Chicana crafter. She has been involved with a number of local nonprofits as a Mentor Teacher Artist, bringing her into many schools, libraries, and recreational facilities. These include ArtReach, ArtsStreet, Colorado Folk Arts, Journey Through Our Heritage, Kidzart, Museo de las Americas, Mizel Center for Arts and Culture, Mizel Museum, and Voz y Corazon as well as a variety of local neighborhood organizations. Lucero has also been an art teacher at Escuela de Guadalupe for seven years.

About History Colorado
History Colorado’s mission is to create a better future for Colorado by inspiring wonder in our past. We serve as the state’s memory, preserving the places, stories and material culture of Colorado through the History Colorado Center and statewide Community Museums, educational programs, historic preservation grants, research library, collections and outreach to Colorado communities. Visit HistoryColorado.org, or call 303-HISTORY, for more information.

Did You Know?
• History Colorado Center was dubbed "the first great history museum of the 21st century" by the director of Smithsonian Affiliations, Harold Closter. 
• History Colorado is home to the nation’s largest state-funded preservation program.
• History Colorado Center was one of Denver's first cultural organizations to offer discounted admission to SNAP participants.  

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Media Contact
John Eding
Manager of Communications and PR
303-866-3670 | john.eding@state.co.us