2 minutes read.
First solo exhibition for Chicana artist Margaret Garcia. Discover colorful portraits and neighborhoods from Los Angeles and beyond.
Here is a look at” Arte Para La Gente, the Collected Works of Margaret Garcia.”
A colorful artwork
This exhibit showcases 75 artworks from 1985 to 2022. With a vibrant palette, Margaret Garcia celebrates her culture, family, and community.
As she mentioned “[…] I enjoy painting from life because it is love I am painting.”
The artist indicated: “My cultural perspective is a product of my history, heritage, upbringing, environment, spiritual challenges, and desires. All art is an expression of a cultural perspective. My perspective is Chicana. Art is an expression of culture that defines my community. I define Chicana art by creating it. Chicana / o art is American.”
About the artist
Born in Boyle Heights (East Los Angeles) in 1951, Margaret Garcia began as a muralist for the 1984 Olympics Games. She is a prolific painter with collections over the US, South America, and France.
Angelinos, you can enjoy her artworks over the city: in local museums (LACMA, Ventura, Laguna, Glendale, etc..) and outdoor public spaces. As an example of public art, below is one of her murals located at Universal City Metro station. It depicts el Campo de Cahuenga .
“In my discipline of painting, I create art. Being an artist is not simply about creating art but creating community. In my community, I honor individuals through the portrait […].” Margaret Garcia states.
Highlights
American Dream
It is an iconic image of Los Angeles: street vendors and palm trees. The artist depicts the visible: a fruit vendor watching his phone while waiting for customers, and the non-visible: precarity of immigrants working for the American Dream.
The Stamp Project
In 2010, the artist launched the Stamp Project. She invited local artists to create stamp images for visibility and to empower the cultural community.
Look closely at the 44 LA artists who are sharing their causes.
Today the Stamp Project includes more than 88 artists and multiple artworks.
Article based on my visit in January 2022
Ready to explore?
Plan your visit:
Exhibit on view from July 22th , 2022 – June 11th, 2023
Location: LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes, 501 N Main St., Los Angeles, CA 90012
Hours: 12:00 pm-5:00 pm Wednesday-Sunday.
Admission: Free
Duration: I spent 1 hour discovering it.
Parking: paid lot and metered street parking
More information is available at https://lapca.org/exhibition/margaret-garcia-arte-para-la-gente/
If you enjoyed this post, please leave a comment and share it with an art lover.
DayDream Under the Stars 
Thank you so much. I am just now seeing this article and post. Merci Beaucoup!
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Hi,
Thank you for your support and encouragement! I’m glad you like it.
This exhibit was one of my favorite last year and I can’t wait to discover additional work from Margaret Garcia.
I hope to see you on the blog soon!
Best,
Marie
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I always enjoy Margaret’s work. Every new piece she makes has new energy and more beautiful colors then the one before. Margaret has inspired and mentored me through the distance, and I feel real friendship in her. She is an authentic friend who will lend a shoulder if needed. Margaret is a true treasure to the Chicano community, who has made beautiful marks of her existence to be admired for generations to come. Those of us who own a piece of her Art can be considered very fortunate for owning a piece of her soul.
Grace Barraza-Vega
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Thank you for sharing your experience Grace! You are lucky to have this special mentorship and friendship with Margaret. I discovered her work a few months ago, and I really love it. Like you, I’m inspired by the colors, energy, and stories behind the paintings. I hope more people are/will (re) discover her work with her solo exhibition. I can’t wait to see more of her artwork in LA and beyond 😉
All the Best
Marie
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