Riverside, CA November 19, 2024 –
On Tuesday, November 19, 2024, The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture of the Riverside Art Museum is hosting an invite-only civic dedication to unveil a bronze statue of Cheech Marin, created by renowned artist Ignacio Gómez, in front of The Cheech. Entitled “Meet Me at The Cheech,” the statue, depicts Cheech Marin with open arms, warmly welcoming visitors from across the region and the nation, inviting them to explore his extensive collection of Chicano art, along with works from local artists in the Altura Community Gallery and rotating exhibitions on the second floor.
Ofelia Valdez-Yeager, President of the Riverside Art Museum Board of Trustees (2022-2023) and chairperson of the Reach for The Cheech campaign (2017-2020), conceptualized and championed this
sculpture that celebrates Marin’s dedication to uplifting Chicano art. Valdez-Yeager passed away on January 7, 2024, making this her final and lasting contribution to the community she loved.
Valdez-Yeager had previously collaborated with Gómez on the Cesar Chavez Memorial in downtown
Riverside and recognized the artist as a supporter of The Cheech from its inception, contributing as a
founding donor. Gómez has had his work exhibited nationally, including his iconic 2002 work Zoot Suit,
which is part of the collections at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and The Cheech Center.
In addition to the sculpture, the “Meet Me at The Cheech” campaign raised funds for programming and
exhibitions at The Cheech. Major supporters include JPMorganChase. Dr. Georgia Hill, Dwight Tate and
Kathy Wright, UNIDOS for the La Causa, Inc., Latino Network, and Spanish Town Heritage Foundation.
