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A heartfelt farewell from Vargas Art Projects,

Thank you to all of you who are a part of the Vargas Art Projects’ community. That includes the audience — and the creative talent we had the pleasure of working with and presenting! 

Your interest, support, and participation has been integral to the work we’ve been doing since November 2024. I am incredibly grateful for the individuals that I have developed relationships with during this endeavour and the amazing creative talent that we’ve been able to highlight!

Latino Love will be our last exhibition. I hope that you can make it to our final reception Fri, Mar 6th, 5-8pm or while the exhibition is on view, through  Mar 14, 2026. I look forward to wrapping up this project in celebration with you.

Vargas Art Projects will officially be closing on Saturday, March 14, 2026 at 3pm.

Our journey would not have been possible without each and every one of you — and I am very appreciative for your presence, patronage, and your loyalty. I am grateful to those of you who attended our exhibitions, participated in our public programs, and/or financially supported Vargas Art Projects. You made an impact by supporting artists and cultural workers that made this project come to life.

I want to give a special thanks to my mom, Donna K. Vargas and my sister, Elisa Vargas for their significant financial and emotional support on this project and in everything that I do. I am eternally grateful!!!

Thank you to the creative talent who we had the chance to work with from November 2024-March 2026. Here are the artists and creatives we were able to present through exhibitions and public programming:

  • “Cawing”…Transformative Power exhibition and coiling lesson by Robin Przybysz

  • For The Love of Art 2025 exhibition and programs that featured artwork by Santa Fe Zubia, Shaunna Foster, William Estrada, and Angel Cabrales

  • Shaunna Foster’s sign painting process demonstration 

  • William Estrada’s interactive stamping/printmaking entitled Messages of Hope & Love; Postcards for Our Community

  • Santa Fe Zubia’s paper mâché plant pot making workshops

  • Angel Cabrales’ Patolli game playing sessions

  • Inner Visions exhibition by Paulo Rivera 

  • DJ Cosmika Dance Parties

  • Storytelling with Irene Oliver-Lewis and Loni Todorki

  • William Estrada’s Button making with the art cart

  • xingaderas’ Paper Mâché mask making workshop

  • Chris Bardey’s Beginning Drawing for Adults 2-day workshop

  • Rochelle Arellano’s Lunar Walking Meditation

  • Lucretia Jones’ Honoring the Mother Root: Crafting Prayer Flags for Female Ancestors

  • Live Painting performance by Khalid Thompson, accompanied by DJ Cosmika

  • Posters of Resistance: Voices from the Las Cruces Streets exhibition co-sponsored by Indivisible Las Cruces

  • Art & Soul: Works by Souhier & John Rawlings exhibition and artists’ talk

  • Latino Love exhibition featuring Christin Apodaca, Angel Cabrales, Bianca Cabrales, Citlali Delgado, Pico del Hierro-Villa, xingaderas, and all of the members of the public that participated by adding their messages of love and input on how each of us can make a positive difference for the Latino community

  • Meagan O’Toole Pitts’ book Carmelita 

Thank you to organizations who made a difference:
Indivisible Las Cruces for collaborating on the Posters of Resistance exhibition and ArtForms for including us in their For The Love of Art month-long events. 
We extend many thanks to the Indivisible Las Cruces steering committee AND the volunteers that documented the rally posters, laid out the exhibit, installed and de-installed the exhibition, and helped with the reception shopping, preparation, hosting, and clean-up!

Thank you to individuals including - but not limited to:
Manu Ureta, Celina Galicia, Lucy Reser, Sheri Reinhart, Phil Valdez, Olga Cabada, Sandy Bein, Jackie Landon, Nikki Kamp, Gretchen Blais, Karen Conley, Irene Oliver-Lewis, Sylvia Camuñez, Jo-an Smith, Patricia Dunn, Greg Smith, Armando Lopez, Cheri Damschroder, Cristina Fernandez, Kenneth Miller, Mike Basehart, Kris Karsteadt, Joyce Zimmer, Juan Albert, Nischa Roman, Karena Oberman, Nicole Hamilton, Jess Zubia –– and the entire Zubia family.

Much appreciation to local groups that provided encouragement and guidance:
Cruces Creatives (specifically Lea Wise-Surguy, as well as staff members Eileen, Michael, Arthur, and Kim)
WESST (particularly Monica Le Baron), Arrowhead Center at NMSU, and the Small Business Development Center

I look forward to the next chapter ahead, and to continuing to build our relationship. You’ll be able to find out what comes next, as I will continue to use my website to feature arts, culture, or activism projects/on-goings. You can always contact me here

Warmly,
Cecilia L. Vargas
Founder and Director
Vargas Art Projects