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**Alebrijes & Nahuales: Fantastic Animals From Mexico (July 31st - September 2nd)**

**Programs & Events**

Discover opportunities to connect with the stories, artistry and cultural significance behind Alebrijes y Nahuales through a variety of engaging public programs and events.

### **YOSAL Summer Concert Series at Vineyard Church** July 31st | 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM

### **Grand Opening at Northridge Mall** July 31st | 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM

### **Brush War Round 1 at Northridge Mall** Presented by Artists Ink August 1st | 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

### **Small Exhibition Opening Morning Activities at Northridge Mall** Presented by Arts4MC August 7th | 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM

### **Small Exhibition Opening at One Main St.** August 7th | 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM

### **Noche Bohemia at Sherwood Hall** August 15th | 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM

### [**Guelaguetza Salinas 2026**](https://salinaschamber2023.growthzoneapp.com/ap/CloudFile/Download/raBxXKqp) August 16th | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

### **Brush War Round 2 at Northridge Mall** Presented by Artists Ink August 16th | 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

### **Alebrijes y Nahuales Art Workshop at One Main St.** Presented by Urban Arts Collaborative August 28th | 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM

### **Closing Event at One Main St.** September 4th | 4:00 PM - 6:30 PM

### Explore local artist organization booths and enjoy live music from the Salinas High School Jazz Band in the Rotunda. Browse Gallery I for the Small Alebrijes exhibition curated by JC Gonzalez of Urban Arts Collective, and visit Gallery II for Artists Ink’s Student Alebrijes Exhibit, programming, and live Brush War competition. Kids can participate in free activities hosted by the Hartnell College Foundation in the Vista Room as part of First Friday Salinas. Outdoors, experience a vibrant, traditional cultural showcase from Guelaguetza Salinas (5:00 PM), before gathering in the Salinas Room at 6:00 PM with the City of Salinas and SVCC for closing remarks, artist recognitions, and the announcement of the Brush Wars winner.

### **Brush War Final Round at One Main St.** Presented by Artists Ink | September 4th | 5:00 PM

#### **Qiensave Band Performance - First Friday Salinas**

#### September 4th | 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

#### **Small Alebrijes Exhibition at One Main Street** Curated by Urban Arts Collaborative August 7th - September 4th **Week of 8/24-8/28 Hours 8/24 | 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM 8/25 | 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM 8/26 | 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM 8/28 | 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM (Workshop 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM)**

**In late October 2025**, a delegation from the City of Salinas traveled to its Sister City, Guanajuato, Mexico, to attend the internationally renowned Día de Muertos Festival. During the visit, the delegation met with Romain Greco, Executive Director of the Cervantino Festival—one of Latin America’s most prestigious and influential arts festivals. At that meeting, Mr. Greco extended an invitation for Salinas to host *Alebrijes y Nahuales: Fantastical Animals of Mexico*, a celebrated exhibition featuring eight monumental sculptures created by master artisans from Oaxaca.

The exhibition offers a striking visual experience while honoring the deep tradition of Mexican magical realism. Curated by Carlo Magno Pedro, the exhibition features works by Angélico Jiménez, Efraín Fuentes, Margarito Melchor, María Jiménez, Giovanni Melchor, and Constantino Blas, with project direction by Romain Greco. Averaging 20 feet in height, these whimsical, larger-than-life sculptures are equipped with strategically placed solar lighting, allowing their intricate craftsmanship to be appreciated both day and night.

*Alebrijes y Nahuales* has toured internationally, appearing in major cities such as Paris, New York, and Chicago, and has drawn significant public attention at every stop. Notably, the exhibition attracted more than two million visitors during its 2025 installation at Yerba Buena Gardens in San Francisco.

In partnership with the Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce, and funded by the Salinas Public Arts Commission, the City of Salinas will bring this extraordinary exhibition to Salinas with a grand opening on July 31st at Northridge Mall, who will host three of the eight sculptures. On August 7th, an exhibition of an extensive collection of Alibrejes from Oaxaca will open at One Main Street as part of the Arts Council for Monterey County’s First Friday programming and thanks to a partnership with Hartnell College Foundation and the National Steinbeck Center. This exhibition will be curated by JC Gonzales, the Founder and Artistic Director of Urban Arts Collective. The exhibition’s closing ceremony will occur on September 4th.

The exhibition is expected to serve as a powerful driver of cultural tourism while celebrating and elevating the heritage of Salinas’ largest demographic—residents with roots in Mexico. The exhibition run (July 31-September 4, 2026) will include educational programming, interactive activities for all ages, and abundant opportunities for photography and community engagement thanks to a variety of organizations across Salinas.

**Meet the Artists**

Each sculpture is a unique, enlarged reproduction of original works by celebrated Oaxacan artisan. Click on the photos to learn more about each artist.

##### [Carlo Magno Pedro](https://fantasticanimalsfrommexico.com/artistas.html)

**Curator**

##### [Efraín Fuentes](https://fantasticanimalsfrommexico.com/efrain_fuentes.html)

***The Coyote***

##### [Leonardo Linares](https://fantasticanimalsfrommexico.com/leonardo_linares.html)

***Lionbull & Catbird***

##### [Adrián Xuana](https://fantasticanimalsfrommexico.com/adrian_xuana.html)

***The Dog***

##### [Angélico Jiménez](https://fantasticanimalsfrommexico.com/angelico_jimenez.html)

***The Cat Nahual***

##### [Constantino Blas](https://fantasticanimalsfrommexico.com/constantino_blas.html)

***The Happy Alien***

##### [Margarito Melchor](https://fantasticanimalsfrommexico.com/margarito_melchor.html)

***The Armadillo***

##### [María Jiménez](https://fantasticanimalsfrommexico.com/maria_jimenez.html)

***The Rabbit***

**See the Pieces**

Each of these larger-than-life sculptures will be displayed throughout the City of Salinas, transforming public spaces into an open-air art experience. Explore each location, discover the unique character of every piece, and experience art in the heart of our community.

##### The Rabbit

***Northridge Mall (Inside Mall Near Round 1)***

##### The Happy Alien

***Salinas Regional Soccer Complex***

##### The Catbird

***Northridge Mall (101 Facing Parking Lot)***

##### The Coyote

***One Main Street***

##### The Lionbull

***Northridge Mall (101 Facing Parking Lot)***

##### The Cat

***Vineyard Church***

##### The Armadillo

***Sherwood Hall***

##### The Dog

***Star Market***

**Be a Part of the Exhibit**

Be a part of the excitement as Alebrijes of Oaxaca comes to Salinas. Discover each larger-than-life sculpture, support the arts through sponsorship opportunities, and help spread the word by sharing your experience on social media. Join the community-wide celebration and follow along with **#AlebrijesSalinas**.

[Sponsorship Opportunities](https://salinaschamber2023.growthzoneapp.com/ap/CloudFile/Download/Lxd3n00L)

[Read More About the Exhibit](https://www.nahualesfromoaxaca.com.mx/project_usa.html)

[View the Exhibit Guide and Map](https://salinaschamber2023.growthzoneapp.com/ap/CloudFile/Download/LWY6xJwp)

**Our Partners**

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