National Hispanic Heritage Month runs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 of each year. During this time, you can find many ways to celebrate the rich histories and cultures of the hispanic and Latinx communities in Denver. If you’re looking to view art created by local hispanic artists, look no further than Denver’s Santa Fe Art District.

The Chicano Humanities & Arts Council (CHAC) is a local organization that supports the preservation of Chicano/a culture in Colorado. CHAC features an art gallery that can be found at 222 N Santa Fe Drive. The most recent exhibition, titled “Lowrider Culture,” celebrated the Chicano/a culture through art and cars. While the “Lowrider Culture” exhibition ends Sept. 28, the members of CHAC were busy preparing for the next exhibition, “La Llorona and El Dia de los Muertos.” This exhibition will be open to the public on Oct. 4 during the First Friday Art Walk and the gallery will be hosting activities including face painting and Aztec dancing.

Just a couple of blocks down Santa Fe, one can find the Museo de Las Americas, located at 861 N Santa Fe Drive. The current exhibition, “Altar’d Continuum: Resistance and Empowerment in Sacred Spaces,” reexamines the religious altar. Artists reinterpret what the altar means to them and use it as a symbol of resistance and reclaim power from institutions. Local artists use their art to tackle important issues facing the Hispanic and Latinx community. One artist used his altar to remember the struggles he faced growing up as a gay man in his community, while another artist used their altar to draw attention to the persecution faced by immigrants faced at the border. This exhibit is open until Feb. 2020. 

These galleries and more along Santa Fe are open throughout the week to visitors. The best time to visit them, however, is during the First Friday Art Walk, where galleries are open late and hold activities for visitors. The next art walk is Oct. 4, and will feature local artists beginning to celebrate Dia de Los Muertos festivities.