A powerful new exhibition at the California Center for the Arts in Escondido is rewriting the narrative through sculpture, lowriders, and mural art.
ESCONDIDO, Calif. — A powerful new art exhibition is bringing stories of resilience, cultural identity, and hope to the forefront in North County. XICANA! San Diego is now open at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido — featuring more than 250 artworks by over 100 Chicana artists from across Southern California.
Rooted in themes of identity and community, the exhibition invites visitors to explore the intersections of heritage, storytelling, and self-expression through murals, photography, sculpture, and immersive installations.
A Monumental Centerpiece: Tonantzin
At the heart of the exhibition stands Tonantzin, a 14-foot-high sculpture by guest artist Louis Verdad. The striking installation pays tribute to the Aztec goddess Codacuica and was brought to life by over ten contributing artists.
“Everything you see here is representative of the myth,” said Museum Manager Rokhsane Hovaida. “There’s the hummingbirds, the heart, and she was impregnated by a feather. That’s part of her story.”
The sculpture’s cape, painted by LA muralist Elloy Taurez, features an image of the Lady of Guadalupe. Its base is adorned with hand-painted butterflies and marigolds—symbols of both life and death.
Spotlight on Lowrider Culture
Across the gallery, El Carro Malo steals attention — a custom lowrider owned by Rachel Zepeta, a prominent voice in San Diego’s lady lowrider scene.
“Rachel’s car is really representative of who she is,” Hovaida explained. “It says, ‘Life is too short.’ Her nickname is ‘Too Short,’ and she puts a lot of love into her car.”
The exhibit also features lowrider-inspired artwork by artists like Jacqueline Valenzuela from Long Beach.
Personal Stories Through Art
Among the many featured artists is San Diego muralist Patricia Cruz, known for her work at Chicano Park. One of her contributions is a touching portrait of her son.
“It’s really beautiful,” Hovaida said.
Representation and Healing Through Art
Curated by Dulce Stein in collaboration with ESMoA and the City Heights Community Development, XICANA! San Diego is more than an exhibition — it’s a movement to reclaim space, foster empathy, and affirm identity.
“As a Chicana myself, I can say that growing up, we didn’t always see the representation in museums,” Hovaida shared. “This is a really important exhibition, not just for me or our staff, but for our entire San Diego County community.”
If You Go
The public is invited to a festive Opening Night Celebration on Friday, June 20, from 6 to 8 PM, featuring live music and artist appearances.
-
Exhibit Dates: June 21 – November 2, 2025
-
Location: California Center for the Arts Museum, 340 N Escondido Blvd
-
Admission: $12 for adults, $6 for students (18+), FREE for youth 17 & under
-
Special Offer: General admission now includes a full year of unlimited museum access from the date of purchase.
“It’s our way of saying, ‘You’re welcome here,” Hovaida said. “Use this as your space. We want you to feel like you belong.”