Housed in the old downtown Riverside city library, comedian and actor Cheech Marin’s personal collection of Chicano art is a feast for the eyes and food for thought. The current exhibition, Cheech Collects: The Inaugural Exhibition, explores the historical importance of Chicano and Latinx art. Who could guess that underneath Cheech’s wise-cracking, pot-smoking slacker façade was a serious art collector?
We put this museum on our Bucket List after its opening in June of 2022. Three blocks west of the museum is one of our very favorite Mexican restaurants, Tio’s Tacos. Combining the two became a no-brainer itinerary for us.
Entering the lobby, you are immediately greeted by the Cheech Museum’s showstopper, a dazzling 26 ft lenticular masterpiece. A permanent commission for the museum, a lenticular is created using a special print process which gives images an illusion of depth or motion when viewed from different angles. Talk about a wow factor!
Gaiatlicue by Einar & Jamex de La Torre
We stood there for a long while, mesmerized, just taking it all in, shifting back and forth, watching the image morph and flow as we changed our positions. We were delighted to find some hidden Easter eggs, symbols of the cities of Los Angeles and Riverside, Aztec and Chicano culture, history and even a portrait or two of the museum’s namesake.
An exciting preview of what is to come in this vibrant and provocative art compilation.
The museum forgoes the usual Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo paintings. Instead, this collection elevates lesser-known, primarily Angeleno, artists. Many of the works dwell on themes such as life in South Central Los Angeles, migrant farm workers’ struggles, social injustice and challenges to cultural stereotypes.
The Arrest of the Paleteros,
Frank Romero
In the above painting, a family of popsicle vendors are being arrested for selling ice cream without a permit. I was struck by the vision of children holding their hands up, facing a gun. It is sad to think of anyone having that kind of childhood memory.
A portrait of a man holding a cardboard produce packing box, painted on an actual deconstructed romaine lettuce packing box. It made me appreciate the hard-working farm workers and the contribution they make to putting food on our tables every day. There are a number of works here that showcase that relationship, but I found this portrayal especially clever, creative and impactful
Don Audelio
Narsiso Martinez
I was particularly drawn to this sizable installation, patterned in the style of Native American basketry.
Continuum Basket
Gerald Clark
Consisting of 668 crushed soda and beer cans, it symbolizes the social and health impact these beverages have had on Native communities such as diabetes and alcoholism. The sheer size of this installation echoes the magnitude of these issues.
There are many more absorbing and inspirational works in this vibrant and provocative art compilation. We came away feeling a deep appreciation for this lusty culture, a culture with ancient roots and contemporary vitality, a culture born in joy, vigor and hardship; a gift to all ethnicities.
Give yourself at least a couple of hours to marinate in the experience.
This Inaugural Exhibition of Cheech Collects ends May 14, 2023, with a new iteration opening in early June.
The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano art and culture of the Riverside Art Museum is located on the corner of Mission Inn Avenue and Orange Street.
3581 Mission Inn Avenue Riverside California 92501
( 951) 684–7111
Open Tuesdays – Sundays 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Closed Mondays.
General admission $15.95.
There are days during the month when admission is free. Check the website for further information.
At the time of our visit, we were happy to see that all city parking garages and street parking near the Cheech Museum were free and open to the public on Sundays.
Having nourished the mind and soul, we launched a mission to feed the body. We proceeded down the street because: Tacos!
Tio's Tacos
Tio’s Tacos is a wonderful combination of delicious Mexican food and artistic ambiance that makes it a perfect companion to the Cheech Museum. After experiencing the serious works at the museum, we were ready for some whimsy. A light, quirky dessert after a thought-provoking main meal, so to speak.
This unique landmark is the passion project of artist/owner Martin Sanchez. He composes his creations using cans, bottles, and other recyclables from the restaurant. I love the idea that items that would normally be sent to a landfill are elevated into art to be shared with everyone.
Nothing goes to waste here. Even bottle tops are transformed into a large wall display. They must sell a LOT of beer here.
Tin-can welcoming signs for people from all nations.
Sanchez is a prolific creator and his work is ever-evolving. Each of our visits has felt like a fresh experience. If you’re lucky, you may see Sanchez working on site.
After ordering at the front counter, we pulled up chairs to a table in the cool shade of a butterfly canopy, immersed in Sanchez’ artistry.
Tucked in among the trees and the statues, we waited for our meal to arrive. It gave us time to look around and try to discover any new treasures that were created since our last visit.
These two welcomers are new since our last visit.
My favorites are the butterflies! Sanchez’ signature monarchs are everywhere.
Even though they are sculpted, you can almost feel the fluttering breeze from their wings!
We would come here just to walk around and enjoy all of the art, but we would also come here just to eat!
All the Mexican food favorites are here: enchiladas, carnitas, fajitas, chips, salsas, fish tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and just look at these exuberantly crafted micheladas!
Carnitas tacos from Tio’s, topped with a house-made guacamole that is second to none.
The lemon margarita with Tajin Chile Lime seasoning on the rim adds a spicy, citrusy saltiness to this already delightful drink. How I have lived my life without having Tajin with my margaritas, I will never know.
It seems like everyone has their own version of the perfect margarita recipe. I will share mine here:
Since Tio’s wouldn’t give me their recipe, I tried my best to replicate their Limon margarita. I have to admit mine is not quite as good as the original, but it is pretty tasty! I’m looking forward to further experiments. One must persevere!
This guy should have eaten more before he left to make deliveries!
The Tio’s Tacos’ complex occupies an entire block and Sanchez’ salvaged handiworks fill nearly every inch of it. There are surprises in every nook and around each corner, in every flavor of humor, oddity and beauty.
Tio’s Tacos, 3948 Mission Inn Ave., Riverside, CA 951-788-0230
Mariposa Alley
You can see more of Sanchez’ Monarchs a few blocks away in a brick alleyway behind Riverside City Hall. A perfect place to spread your wings and pose for that perfect Instagram shot.
There isn’t an official address for Mariposa Alley. Put this address in your GPS: 3649 9th Street Riverside California.
Once you get there, look across the street. Mariposa Alley is worth a stop if you’re in the area.
