CHANDLER, Ariz. – In her new show, “Con cariño siempre,” muralist and artist Ariana Enriquez sets out to tell the stories of her family in the best way she knows how— through her artwork. The exhibition opened on Aug. 9 and will be on display through Nov. 8 at the Gallery at the Chandler Center for the Arts.
Within the Mexican culture, it is believed that there are two deaths—the first is when you physically pass away and the second is when you have been forgotten by the living. Wanting to preserve the legacy of the strong women in her family, Enriquez sat down at her Yoya’s (great aunt) table with her relatives. Her family members shared some truly incredible stories about the acts of service, kindness and compassion that have been passed down through the generations.
For “Con cariño siempre,” Enriquez creates a visual love letter to her family. Drawing from her practice of using fauna and flora as symbolism, Enriquez created large scale installations that not only celebrate the women in her family but also highlight the love languages expressed throughout the years. By visually telling the stories of her ancestors, Enriquez aims to keep their memories alive long after they are gone.
The Gallery at the Chandler Center for the Arts is located at 250 N. Arizona Ave. Hours are Monday - Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday noon to 4 p.m.; Closed Sunday. Free admission.
Find more information on exhibitions at Vision Gallery or call 480-782-2695.
Vision Gallery and Chandler Center for the Arts Gallery
The Vision Gallery, and its sister gallery at the Chandler Center for the Arts, are fine arts galleries exhibiting more than 300 regional artists and housing two Art-O-Mats in Chandler. Visitors can discover a varied palette of original artworks from oil and acrylic canvasses to ceramic works, sculpture, jewelry and more. Exhibits are rotated on a regular basis and are free for the public to view at this nonprofit gallery supported by the Chandler Museum Foundation. A portion of all art sales are used to fund the Vision Kids program, a series of education workshops offered to the community free of charge. Both galleries are regularly featured in articles and other media at the local and state level. More at Vision Gallery.
About Ariana Enriquez
Ariana Enriquez (b. El Paso, Texas) is a visual artist living and working in Mesa, Arizona. She received her BFA in painting and MA in art history from Arizona State University. After working in art museums for a decade, Enriquez started her own mural business in 2022. Finding meditative and self-healing qualities in the outdoors, Arizona’s natural landscape serves as her largest source of inspiration. The flora and fauna themes portrayed in her work are reflections of her experiences, metaphors for her relationships and extensions of her identity. Enriquez primarily works with acrylics in her studio and mural practice. Her clients have included Tostitos, Shane Company, Desert Botanical Garden and South Phoenix’s beloved flower shop, Baseline Flowers. Seeking to honor the nuances of nature’s details, Enriquez hand paints every aspect of her work. She hopes to show how beauty can be found in the small things that surround us.
Media contact:
Jillian Nakornthap
Exhibits Curator
480-782-2882