Cal State Channel Islands (CSUCI) will host Bay Area Xicanx artist and cultural worker Melanie Cervantes for a solo exhibition, “Protect Your Spirit: Visual Lexicons of Resistance,” from Oct. 23 through Dec. 12 in the second-floor gallery of the John Spoor Broome Library.

An opening reception open to the public will be held Thursday, Oct. 23, at 5 p.m. at the Broome Library. Cervantes will also provide an artist talk for CSUCI students on Tuesday, Oct. 21, at noon, at the Broome Library.

Cervantes’ work offers a powerful visual language of resistance against social injustice and systemic oppression. Her art explores stories of struggle, resilience and triumph within marginalized communities and invites reflection on the role of art in social movements.

“There is both an ephemeral and a timeless nature to Cervantes’ art,” said CSUCI art historian Theresa Avila. “In this era of increased repression and surveillance, the type of art that Cervantes creates is needed now more than ever.”

Cervantes has exhibited her work at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Musée d’Aquitaine in France, and the Museo Franz Mayer in Mexico City.

The “Protect Your Spirit” exhibition underscores CSUCI’s commitment to showcasing artists whose work challenges perceptions and fosters community engagement through creativity and critical thought.

Event details:

• • Artist Talk (CSUCI students only): Tuesday, Oct. 21, noon, Broome Library
  • Public Opening Reception: Thursday, Oct. 23, 5 p.m., Broome Library second-floor gallery
  • Exhibition Dates: Oct. 23–Dec. 12, 2025
  • Admission: Free