 by Salina Angelique Mendoza (SAM) before it leaves!

A closing reception celebrating this innovative exhibit will be held on Saturday, May 2, at 1:00 PM at the Fullerton Museum Center. Come by and speak with Sam about the exhibit and the cultural legacy of the Taíno people.

 is a collection of ten vibrant abstract works that challenges the long standing narrative that Caribbean history began with Christopher Columbus in 1492. Through bold color, layered symbolism, and contemporary techniques, the series highlights the enduring presence and cultural legacy of the Taíno people.

The collection was created after Mendoza discovered her Puerto Rican and Taíno heritage. This personal exploration of ancestry and identity informs each piece in the series, resulting in a body of work that reflects both cultural rediscovery and historical reflection.

The title references the year 1491, the final moment before European colonization altered the cultural and political landscape of the Caribbean. By naming the series 

, Mendoza emphasizes that Taíno culture did not disappear with European contact. Instead, it continues to influence Caribbean identity and heritage today.

Closing Reception for 1491: Taíno Alive

Celebrate Mother’s Day Weekend with a special

workshop on Saturday, May 9 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. 

Join Director’s Choice winner Catherine Montoya for a creative hands-on activity making paper orchid flowers. All materials are included, plus each guest receives one drink ticket. This Creative Co-Op is a fun and inspiring way to create together and celebrate the weekend!

Tickets are $40 for FMC members and $45 general. Purchase using the link below!

Mother's Day Weekend Creative Co-Op

Join us on Saturday, May 30th from 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM for a Creative Co-Op led by OC Made 2nd place winner Germs! 

This workshop is a Sip & Paint, and participants will be making a 16x20 canvas Lucha Squid using non-toxic acrylic. All materials are included, plus each guest receives one drink ticket. 

Space is limited to 25 participants, so be sure to reserve your spot early.

Creative Co-Op 

 is a collection of ten vibrant abstract works by 

 that challenges the long standing narrative that Caribbean history began with Christopher Columbus in 1492. Through bold color, layered symbolism, and contemporary techniques, the series highlights the enduring presence and cultural legacy of the Taíno people.

Working on watercolor paper with natural, jagged edges, Mendoza uses spray paint and acrylic paint markers to merge ancient Taíno symbolism with modern urban art practices. This combination creates a visual dialogue between past and present. Her vivid palette references the lush landscapes of Borikén, now known as Puerto Rico, and the surrounding Caribbean, while the contemporary techniques connect the work to current artistic expressions.

Across the collection, circular forms echo celestial Taíno symbols, while flowing lines suggest the rhythms of land and sea central to island life. Intricate patterns layered with bold fields of color represent the complex intersections of history, mythology, and lived experience.

Through this series, Mendoza contributes to an ongoing conversation about Indigenous Caribbean identity and challenges the misconception that Taíno culture vanished after colonization. 

 celebrates cultural resilience, continuity, and the powerful process of personal discovery while inviting viewers to reconsider familiar historical narratives and engage with the living legacy of Taíno culture.

1491: Taíno Alive By Salina Angelique Mendoza (SAM)

The Fullerton Museum Center proudly presents 

 a new biennial juried exhibition dedicated exclusively to artists living and working in Orange County, the only exhibition of its kind in the region.

Showcasing 108 artists and over 130 artworks, the exhibition spans painting, photography, sculpture, and mixed media, reflecting the breadth and creative vitality of Orange County’s contemporary art scene. Together, these works form an evolving narrative shaped by diverse voices, grounded in place, and defined by each artist’s unique perspective.

We are honored to have esteemed pillars of the art community serve as guest jurors: Abel Alejandre, multidisciplinary artist; John D. Spiak, Director and Chief Curator of Grand Central Art Center; and Dave Tourjé, multidisciplinary artist and co-founder of the California Locos collective, who will select the top three winners, announced on Opening Day.

Curated by Georgette Collard, Museum Curator, and Jasmine McNeal, Fullerton College Art Gallery Curator.

OC MADE: Celebrating Orange County Artists

"A Man Named Charlie: Fender’s Unsung Hero", celebrates the life and legacy of Charlie Davis, a quiet force behind Fender’s golden era. Beginning his journey with the company in 1957, Charlie worked every step of the manufacturing line, from rough-cut wood to the final finish. But it was his unmatched skill in winding pickups that earned him legendary status. Revered by musicians and trusted by icons like Dick Dale, Charlie became the only technician many would allow near their prized guitars. His hands shaped the sound of surf rock and beyond, helping define a generation of music. Through decades of change, Charlie remained fiercely loyal to Fender, embodying the spirit of craftsmanship and dedication. This exhibit honors his remarkable contributions and finally gives this unsung hero his spotlight.

A Man Named Charlie: Fender’s Unsung Hero

Josephine Hernandez is a Garden Grove–based, partially blind visual artist whose work explores themes of blindness and visual impairment through an intimate and empowering lens.

Working primarily with acrylic and acrylic gouache, Hernandez challenges conventional narratives that often frame disability in terms of limitation. 

A recurring subject in her paintings is blind skateboarders—figures in motion that embody independence, confidence, and self-determination. Through these dynamic compositions, Hernandez reimagines the visual language surrounding blindness, portraying blind and low-vision individuals as active, capable leaders of their own lives. 

Her work invites viewers to question assumptions and engage with a broader, more nuanced understanding of ability and identity.