An opening night event with the artists will take place on Friday, Feb. 23 from 6:00-9:00 PM.

“We invite San Diegans and our friends south of the border to check out these talented Mexico-based artists,” said Jean Walcher, one of the organizers of Barrios Hermanos. “Our goal is that this show will help foster a cross-cultural exchange of art, culture and ideas. We hope to do another one soon, bringing American artists down to Mexico.”

Jorge Tellaeche is a Mexico City based artist whose work is honest and intimate, touching on themes relevant to his surroundings to evoke dialog and self-confrontation. His work includes painting, sculpture and murals. Tellaeche’s murals have been commissioned by the Residence of the Ambassador in London, La Lomita in Valle de Guadalupe, CUNY University, as well as international brands like Adidas, W Hotel and most recently Lululemon. His work aims to redefine contemporary Mexico by creating a parallel world full of color and organic forms that become totems, and amicable characters and alebrijes (mystical Mexican creatures) that reference pop culture and world social issues.

A muralist and street-artist, Rod Villa is known in Baja California for his large-scale murals that brighten the streets of his hometown, Mexicali. He draws inspiration from 20th century Mexican muralists, many of whom depicted the “common man” in larger-than-life settings. Villa’s work, filled with side-eyed characters, abstract shapes and dark bold lines that streak across the canvas, can be seen throughout San Diego—one sits prominently on the back wall of a popular butcher shop in North Park.

Both artists’ work represents the artistic culture found in communities throughout Mexico. Works will be for sale with all of proceeds going to the artists.

Barrios Hermanos works to foster a spirit of cooperation by promoting cultural and business connections to bring awareness and collaboration between neighborhoods in Tijuana (and beyond) and San Diego. It accomplishes this through collaborating on events, introducing and sharing small and innovative business best practices, and creating placemaking projects that enhance public spaces and highlight and engage the cultures of both countries.