Cheech Collects: Inaugural Exhibition

The first floor of The Cheech will be closed from May 16 to May 26 for installation.

On view Sunday, June 18, 2022 through Sunday, May 14, 2023

Cheech Collects is the inaugural exhibition that weaves a story of Cheech Marin’s efforts as a passionate and laser-focused collector, exploring the making of a major collection from the first works acquired through the most recent acquisitions. Celebrating this foremost champion of the Chicano School of Art, this first iteration of Cheech Collects features 120 works from Marin’s generous gift of over 500 works to the Riverside Art Museum as well as works drawn from his personal collection. It includes iconic works that toured as part of Chicano Visions, among other notable exhibitions; works that have not often been exhibited; and some that will be on view for the very first time, reflecting a 40-year span of art production. Unflinching in his faith and commitment to the excellence of this art, Marin does not bother with past debates on the legitimacy of this art movement, but dares to posit that it is the most significant American art movement to date. The creation of The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture furthers his advocacy and will continue to shape the art world’s perceptions and understanding of Chicano art. Inarguably, Marin’s efforts have brought unprecedented attention to Chicana/o art with exhibitions of and loans from his collection to over 50 museums nationally and internationally.

Image: Frank Romero, The Arrest of the Paleteros, 1996, part of The Cheech Marin Collection of the Riverside Art Museum

This exhibition is made possible in part by Unidos.