'The Dean Collection Presents: Hometown Heroes'
Sunday: 11 AM
Thursday: 11 AM
Friday: 11 AM
Saturday: 11 AM
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The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego (MCASD) announces "The Dean Collection Presents: Hometown Heroes," a new exhibition opening April 18, 2026, alongside "Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys."
To celebrate San Diego’s creative community, Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys approached MCASD with the idea of spotlighting local artists from the Dean Collection to accompany the run of "Giants."
MCASD collaborated with the Deans to organize "Hometown Heroes," which will feature photographers MJ Pimentel, Oscar Cruz, and Chata, drawn from the Dean Collection, in dialogue with selected works from the museum’s permanent collection by regional artists Andrea Chung, Esteban Cabeza de Baca, and Fox Maxy.
Works by Pimentel, Cruz and Chata capture facets of life in San Diego with images that speak to the encroachment of gentrification, a longstanding history of Chicana/o/e activism, lowrider car culture, and community pride.
With an eye towards the natural environment, Chung’s cyanotypes of lionfish shed light on the enduring effects of colonialism, while Cabeza de Baca’s layered painting and Maxy’s sculptural video installation point to the cultural and ecologic forces that have shaped the U.S. /Mexico border region.
This exhibition celebrates San Diego’s artists and histories born from a recent acquisition made by The Dean Collection. "Neighborhood Visualz," an exhibition showcasing film photographs by Cruz and Pimentel, was on view at Por Vida, a coffee shop and gallery in Barrio Logan, when Swizz Beatz (Kasseem Dean) paid a visit and decided to purchase the entire show. This is in line with the Deans’ unique approach to collecting that centers on forming personal relationships with artists and amplifying voices that have been historically underrepresented.
This MCASD exclusive exhibition centers Black, Brown, and Indigenous experiences at a critical time. As the first "Giants" venue incorporating both English and Spanish labels, MCASD continues to further their commitment to highlighting the work of Latino/a/e artists in the broader San Diego community and beyond.
Local traditions will also be incorporated into the run of "Giants," starting with a performance and blessing by Danza Mexi’cayotl—one of the oldest and most respected Chichimeca-Azteca dance groups in San Diego County—to kick off the exhibition’s opening celebration.
"Hometown Heroes" is curated by MCASD Associate Curator, Amy Crum, and will be on view April 18 through Nov. 8, 2026.
Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego: La Jolla
Photo Credit: Pablo MasonMission The mission of the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego (MCASD) is to serve diverse audiences through the exhibition, interpretation, collection, and preservation of art created since 1950. Mandate MCASD engages a regional, national, and international audience including the binational constituency of the San Diego/Tijuana region. Vision MCASD is a museum providing public access to contemporary art, artists, and the creative process; a forum for the exploration and understanding of contemporary art and ideas; and a laboratory for artists to experiment with new forms of creative expression. Guided Tours The Museum offers public tours (free with admission) at both locations at 2 PM on Saturdays and Sundays, and at 5 and 6 PM on Free Third Thursdays. To book a private guided tour, please contact the Education Department at 858 454 3541 x151 or e-mail education@mcasd.org. (Please remember to book your tour at least three weeks in advance.) Museum Cafe Located at the northeast side of the Museum, the Museum Cafe is a European-inspired bistro, serving breakfast and lunch dishes made from the freshest organic ingredients grown by local farmers. MCASD Members receive a 10% discount; Membership card must be presented. Museum entry is not required to visit the Museum Cafe. Cafe Hours: Monday - Friday 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Special Events With its spectacular ocean views and distinctive architectural design, MCASD in La Jolla is a unique venue for a wide range of special events, from meetings to weddings to elegant sit-down dinners overlooking the ocean. Special privileges and discounts apply for MCASD Corporate Council members. For details about rental policies, call the Events and Visitor Services Department at 858-454-3541 x 166. Admission: General Admission $10 Seniors $5 Students 26 and over (with ID) $5 25 and under Free (with ID) Military Free (with ID) MCASD Members Free Admission is valid for 7 days at all MCASD locations. Free Museum admission third Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m.
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