The National Hispanic Cultural Center has announced the appointment of hazel batrezchavez as its new Visual Arts Curator. Batrezchavez, who identifies as a first-generation, brown, queer Salvadorian and Mexican artist and curator, brings a diverse range of artistic experiences to the role.
Before joining the Center, batrezchavez was involved in several art initiatives. They were a founding member of the fronteristxs Collective and Granadina Co-op and co-owned Ni de Aquí, Ni de Allá, an experimental art space housed in a cargo shipment container. Their curatorial work has been showcased at various venues including 1415 Gallery, Santa Fe Art Institute, and El Chante: Casa de Cultura.
Batrezchavez holds a BFA in Anthropology and Studio Art from Grinnell College and an MFA in Sculpture from the University of New Mexico. Expressing enthusiasm for their new role, batrezchavez said: "I look forward to learning, collaborating, and sharing knowledge with my colleagues, curating exhibitions and building the collections." They emphasized the importance of being "a risk-taker" in curatorial roles to uplift community narratives and preserve history.
Batrezchavez began their tenure on May 12. In collaboration with the NHCC Visual Arts team, they will focus on developing art exhibitions that emphasize diverse stories and talents.
The National Hispanic Cultural Center is committed to preserving Hispanic culture through various programs. It operates under the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs with support from the National Hispanic Cultural Center Foundation.
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