The Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center (ESB MACC) is wielding the spotlight of appreciation on five luminaries of the Latino/a/e/x arts scene in Austin, with the announcement of its 2025 Awards of Excellence. As detailed in an ESB MACC statement, the honorees encompass a swathe of creative disciplines, from dance to opera to broadcasting. The selected individuals are slated for a ceremonious nod at the Long Center come June 28th, but for those not wielding an invite, a livestream festivity will be served up on Facebook at @ESBMACC.
Snagging the Emerging Artist award is Courtney Enriquez, an Austin native whose artwork graces spaces such as the Dove Springs Recreation Center and Juan in a Million Restaurant. Mother to three and grandmother of four, Enriquez finds muse in "cultural, spiritual and lifetime memories and experiences," as per the ESB MACC's reveal. Following her artistically inclined compass, Enriquez is gearing up for a mixed media solo exhibition in July, rooted in the iconography of the antique Loteria game of chance and hosted by La Pena Gallery on Congress Avenue.
On the musical front, Claudia Chapa claims her Award of Excellence brightly in 'The Arts' category. A mezzo-soprano of repute, Chapa's opera bona fides are as extensive as her contributions to Latine cultural advocacy, extending to roles with San Diego Opera, a Carnegie Hall debut, and as founder of the Latine Opera Alliance. "To increase Latine communities’ access to opera," Chapa has notably unspooled initiatives as part of her role with Austin Opera, adding to her accolades such as the Silverman Award and recognition from the Olga Forrai Foundation.
Jesus "Chuy" Chacon, sustaining the folkloric dance heritage as Artistic Director at Roy Lozano’s Ballet Folklorico de Texas, pockets the Service award. His dedication has paved way for new Mexican dance narratives on stage and earned him the honor of representing Mexican culture at international forums. Similarly rooted in the dance domain, founder and director Walter Guzman of Guzmán Ballet Folklórico, garners the Arts Education award, seeing his troupe's footprint spanning continents in a celebratory spread of Mexican dance tradition.
The lifetime achievement awards are double booked this year, with broadcaster Fred Cantu and community pillar Daniel Llanes each earning a rightful claim. Spanning over four decades, Cantu’s resonating voice brought Tejano music to Austin's airwaves and news reporting into homes, while Llanes weaves art with environmental and community activism, sporting credentials such as the Webber Foundation Grant and the whip hand in several civic organizations. The essence of their careers seems to pair well with the Austin cultural tableau—an embodiment of longevity and impact in their respective crafts.
