Published: November 4, 2026
“Alebrijes and Nahuales” Exhibition to Unveil 20-Foot Sculptures in Riverside This Week
8 larger-than-life sculptures celebrating Mexican art and culture will be unveiled November 5th
Riverside, CA – The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture, in partnership with the Office of Riverside City Councilmember Clarissa Cervantes, will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. Thursday, November 5, 2026, to unveil eight towering Alebrijes and Nahuales sculptures from Oaxaca, Mexico. The ceremony will take place at The Cheech museum and is open to the public and news media.
Created by eight Mexican folk artists, the 20-foot-tall sculptures depict fantastical hybrid spirit animals inspired by Mexican cultural traditions. The colorful, imaginative works celebrate the extraordinary craftsmanship of Mexican artisans and reflect a rich cultural heritage shared by many Latino communities, including those in Riverside.
“We are proud to welcome these extraordinary works of art to Riverside, a city that embraces arts and culture,” said Councilmember and Mayor Pro Tem Clarissa Cervantes. “This exhibition celebrates the rich cultural traditions and creativity of Mexico while bringing our community together. It also provides an opportunity for residents and visitors to experience the beauty of Mexican folk art and recognize the cultural heritage that is such an important part of Riverside’s identity.”
First introduced in France in 2019, the Alebrijes and Nahuales exhibition has since traveled to public spaces across the United States, attracting thousands of visitors. Its arrival in Riverside continues that tradition of bringing Mexican art and cultural experiences to communities across the country and is presented through a collaboration involving The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture, the Riverside Art Museum, Riverside City College, the Office of State Senator Sabrina Cervantes, and Riverside City Councilmembers Cervantes and Luis Hernandez.
“Riverside’s commitment to arts and innovation is reflected in opportunities like this that bring creativity, culture and community together,” said Councilmember Luis Hernandez. “These magnificent sculptures not only showcase the incredible talent of Mexican artisans but also inspire imagination, encourage cultural appreciation and create meaningful educational experiences for residents and visitors of all ages.”
Beyond the sculptures themselves, the exhibition will offer opportunities for community engagement through educational tours, cultural exchange programs, sculpture and creative writing workshops, artist talks, conferences, and other arts and cultural activities.
The Alebrijes and Nahuales exhibition sculptures will be on display through early January 2027 at The Cheech, Riverside Art Museum, Riverside City College, Bordwell Park, and the Arlanza Community Center. For more information about the exhibition, visit www.fantasticanimalsfrommexico.com.
The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture - 3581 Mission Inn Avenue, Riverside
www.RiversideArtMuseum.org/visit/the-cheech
Riverside Art Museum - 3425 Mission Inn Avenue, Riverside
Riverside City College - 4801 Magnolia Avenue, Riverside
Bordwell Park - 2008 Martin Luther King Boulevard, Riverside
Arlanza Community Center - 7950 Philbin Avenue, Riverside
