The death of Rita Wallace de Flores on Sunday, April 27th, marked the end of an era for the Chicano/ Mexicano Arts Community of Denver. Wallace de Flores is considered by many to be Denver’s first lady of Mexican folk art, story, and dance. Her monumental contributions to Colorado’s Mexican folklore, arts, and dance culture have been celebrated for over 40 years statewide. Her exhibitions have been showcased a such places as the Denver Art Museum, Denver Museum of Nature and Science, El Pueblo History Museum, and the MSU Denver Center for Visual Arts, and more.
Born April 15, 1937, in Galeana, Mexico,she spent her formative years traveling throughout Mexico studying traditional folk art with local indigenous communities. She danced with the prestigious Bellas Artes Academy in Mexico City, where she performed with their Coahuilan dance troupe. Renowned in Mexico as a master artist for her papier mache, papel picado, folk dancing, and especially for her bordado magico (magic embroidery).
In 1980, she married John Wallace, a teacher from Denver, Colorado,and resumed her artistic endeavors in her newly adopted home. Over the years she was honored with numerous awards for her work with the community, including the Governors Heritage award in 1999; Univisions “Pillar of the Community”; Excellent Teacher award-Mizel Museum of the Judaica; Lena Archuleta Community Service award; CHAC Life Work Achievement award; the SCFD Rex Morgan award; the XUPANTLA’” Cihuatoanii” Leadership award; Centro Juan Diego Madrina award; the Metro State Colorado Folk Arts Counsel Corn Mother award; Latinas Honoring Latinas Companera award; the Carson, Brierly, Giffin- Legends of Dance Honoree award. She was the dance director of Teatro Latina de Colorado and consultant/choreographer for Jeanette Trujillo of Fiesta Colorado. Her memories and stories were published as part of the Return of the Corn Mothers project and the Tummy Tales book series, all of which are part of the Denver Public Library Western History Collection.
In 2020, the Wallace family donated her massive collection of tapestries and textiles to History Colorado with the help of Metropolitan State University’s Denver Chicana/o Studies Department Journey Through Our Heritage program and the Chicano Humanities Arts Council. “This woman created a legacy for thousands upon thousands in our Latinx community. Her impact as an artist and educator cannot be stressed enough.” Stated Chicano Humanities Arts Council Executive Director Brenda Gurule.
In 2022 she came out of retirement to work with local celebrity artist Cal Duran to create a new installation for Día de Los Muertos at History Colorado and the Return of the Corn Mothers 2022 exhibition. “I was always enthralled by Rita’s artwork,” said Cal Duran. “I was only 17 years old when I first saw her altars in 2005 at the Chicano Humanities Art Council gallery. I knew she was one of the artists who helped establish this holiday here long before it was popular. To me, she was a visionary, paving the way for other artists in Colorado. Her knowledge of the spiritual significance of this holiday and her groundbreaking work in the ’80s was a catalyst that laid the groundwork for all of us. “ She was and continues to be one of the most important cultural inspirations in our community. It was my honor and privilege to have been her friend for over 35 years. Her life was a shining example of kindness, love and respect. She embraced the diversity of all people and understood the bigger picture. For her, there was beauty in all,” said Jeanette Trujillo of Fiesta Colorado.
A mass for Wallace de Flores will be held at Mount Olivet Cemetery, 12801 W. 44th Avenue, Wheat Ridge, Colorado 80033 on Fri. May 16th at 2pm. A celebratory reception will follow at the LUMC Genesis Gallery, 1390 Brentwood Lakewood, CO 80214, from 3:30 pm-6:00 pm.
CHAC Gallery & Cultural Center was founded in 1978 by a group of visual and performing artists. The organization was established as a place where Chicano/Latino artists were provided with a venue to explore visual and performance art and promote and preserve the Chicano/Latino culture through the expression of the arts.
CHAC is an inclusive community of creatives that are dedicated to preserving, showcasing, educating and reflecting the essence of Chicano/a/x, Latino/a/x and other multicultural/multiracial communities.
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CHAC Gallery & Cultural Center was founded in 1978 by a group of visual and performing artists. The organization was established as a place where Chicano/Latino artists were provided with a venue to explore visual and performance art and promote and preserve the Chicano/Latino culture through the expression of the arts.
CHAC is an inclusive community of creatives that are dedicated to preserving, showcasing, educating and reflecting the essence of Chicano/a/x, Latino/a/x and other multicultural/multiracial communities.
