Across the country, singer Selena Quintanilla remains a cherished part of daily life for many families. Her influence goes beyond music, shaping culture, fashion and identity in ways that continue to transcend generations.
“Selena has broken down so many barriers within various cultures and languages," says Denver-based artist and curator Rob Yancey. “Ever since we’ve had grandkids, in the mornings over a weekend while making them pancakes, we’re all listening to Selena. That’s the way these kids grow up. Her music was constantly played in our house, as well as in many other homes across the country."
This year marks the thirtieth anniversary of Quintanilla’s tragic murder by the president of her fan club. As fans continue to honor the "Queen of Tejano Music" and her work's lasting legacy, the Still Dreaming of You art show dedicated to Quintanilla is making its long-awaited return after a decade-long hiatus. Hosted by El Rey Artwork in collaboration with the Chicano Humanities Arts Council (CHAC Gallery) and Creature Arcade: Tattoo and Illustration, this vibrant tribute will be on view from March 7 to April 11 at CHAC Gallery at 40 West in Lakewood.
Throughout its run, special events will bring the community together to celebrate Quintanilla's life. The festivities will begin on Friday, March 7, from 5 to 9 p.m., with an exciting Opening Ceremony Art Show that will include a performance by the Aztec dance group Huitzilopochtli, storytelling, face painting and kid-friendly activities. The celebration continues on April 4 and 5 with the much-anticipated look-alike contest, tattoo flash event, a high-energy karaoke contest and a procession of custom cars led by the Viejitos Car Club, culminating in a Show & Shine car show at the CHAC and Creature Arcade parking lots, where the state's finest custom cars will be displayed.
"To me, Selena is our modern-day Frida Kahlo," says artist Tammy Yancey, who co-curated and coordinated the Still Dreaming of You gallery and events alongside her spouse Rob. "Selena was very instrumental in providing an outlet for girls of all ages to get into dance, performing and fashion. She had a really sweet spirit about her and was very interested in giving her fans more substance than just being up there singing, so we wanted Still Dreaming of You to reflect that."
The Yanceys first organized Still Dreaming of You in 2015 in CHAC's original space in Denver at 772 and 774 Santa Fe Drive. “When we did the event ten years ago, it was a big success, but we knew that we didn’t want it to lose what made it special,” Rob explains. “That’s why we decided not to repeat it until now — because then people become complacent.”
"And it becomes commercialized," Tammy adds. "We wanted it to be an event that was focused on honoring Selena’s spirit and bringing the community together."
Rob and Tammy have been listening to Quintanilla's music for decades, constantly playing it at home and sharing it with family. Their connection to her legacy grew stronger when they created a dedicated fan page years ago, which now has nearly 6,000 followers.
“We started that page forever ago and it's been crazy to see how it's grown," Rob says. "We just put some information out there every now and then as well as allow other fans to share about her life and music. She’s made a big impact for years, and it's easy to see by all the people that get behind the event."
This year's Still Dreaming of You art show promises a mix of nostalgia and fresh artistic expression. The exhibition will feature works from well-known local artists such as Jerry Jaramillo, Jose Mares and Larysa Medina, as well as emerging artists.
Beyond the gallery walls, the event will offer immersive experiences. Creature Arcade Tattoo will provide Selena-inspired flash tattoos for fans who want to commemorate the occasion permanently. Meanwhile, a folklórico dance group will take the stage, adding another layer of cultural richness to the celebration. The look-alike contest and karaoke competition will give fans a chance to channel their inner Selena, while the Show & Shine car event will bring together some of the finest custom rides in the state.
"In this current climate, there are not a lot of opportunities for people to get together for no reason to enjoy her music; let the kids dress up and dance if they want to, and let the adults do the same," Rob says. "The events we're hosting around the gallery are a chance to gather together in an event that’s not costly. We're just trying to provide just a nice weekend for the community — it’s that simple."
For those looking to pay a more personal tribute, an ofrenda will be set up for visitors to leave special items in remembrance of Quintanilla. “We decided to have the show up in March and April because that time is around both her birthday and deathday,” Rob says. "If people want to bring anything special to leave at the altar, they can."
The Still Dreaming of You event today differs from its first iteration in both scale and focus. A decade ago, the Yanceys organized a month-long tribute with weekly events, while this time they are concentrating their efforts into three dates.
"We raised enough money to rent out the gallery for a month, so this show we're having this year is a lot smaller compared to what we did the first time," Tammy says. "The first time we were doing events every weekend for that month that entire month and this time we're only doing two first Fridays and a big Saturday celebration. Since 2015, we've lost a lot of our artists that did participate in that first one so it won’t be a recreation of the original event."
Still, one thing remains unchanged: Selena’s ability to bring people together. “Selena always gets credit for being an inspiration to Latinos, but I think she's done that for other groups, too,” Rob says. “She’s broken down a lot of barriers and stereotypes, so I think people really gravitate to her and her music.”
Tammy shares a memorable story that encapsulates Selena’s enduring legacy. “I work with a gal who’s probably in her early thirties, and she’s from Texas. When I told her about the Selena show, she said, ‘Oh, my mom’s going to sew me an outfit for the look-alike contest.’ She goes, ‘We’re from Corpus Christi, and in Texas, Selena’s our President.’ Those kinds of things make me so happy we are doing a show like this."
More than just an art show, Still Dreaming of You is a community event that celebrates Quintanilla's timeless music. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or a newcomer to her work, this event is an opportunity to come together, honor her legacy and share in the joy she continues to bring to so many.
“It's just a time to celebrate her," Rob says. "And it's for the whole community, not just the Latinos. When you look at our Facebook page, there's such a mix of cultures on there and it's really great to see that Selena's music is appreciated by so many different cultures."
Still Dreaming of You, Friday, March 7 through Friday, April 11, at CHAC Gallery @ 40 West, 7060 West 16th Avenue, Lakewood. Learn more at chacgallery.org.
“Selena has broken down so many barriers within various cultures and languages," says Denver-based artist and curator Rob Yancey. “Ever since we’ve had grandkids, in the mornings over a weekend while making them pancakes, we’re all listening to Selena. That’s the way these kids grow up. Her music was constantly played in our house, as well as in many other homes across the country."
This year marks the thirtieth anniversary of Quintanilla’s tragic murder by the president of her fan club. As fans continue to honor the "Queen of Tejano Music" and her work's lasting legacy, the Still Dreaming of You art show dedicated to Quintanilla is making its long-awaited return after a decade-long hiatus. Hosted by El Rey Artwork in collaboration with the Chicano Humanities Arts Council (CHAC Gallery) and Creature Arcade: Tattoo and Illustration, this vibrant tribute will be on view from March 7 to April 11 at CHAC Gallery at 40 West in Lakewood.
Throughout its run, special events will bring the community together to celebrate Quintanilla's life. The festivities will begin on Friday, March 7, from 5 to 9 p.m., with an exciting Opening Ceremony Art Show that will include a performance by the Aztec dance group Huitzilopochtli, storytelling, face painting and kid-friendly activities. The celebration continues on April 4 and 5 with the much-anticipated look-alike contest, tattoo flash event, a high-energy karaoke contest and a procession of custom cars led by the Viejitos Car Club, culminating in a Show & Shine car show at the CHAC and Creature Arcade parking lots, where the state's finest custom cars will be displayed.
"To me, Selena is our modern-day Frida Kahlo," says artist Tammy Yancey, who co-curated and coordinated the Still Dreaming of You gallery and events alongside her spouse Rob. "Selena was very instrumental in providing an outlet for girls of all ages to get into dance, performing and fashion. She had a really sweet spirit about her and was very interested in giving her fans more substance than just being up there singing, so we wanted Still Dreaming of You to reflect that."
The Yanceys first organized Still Dreaming of You in 2015 in CHAC's original space in Denver on Santa Fe.
Courtesy of Rob and Tammy Yancey
The Yanceys first organized Still Dreaming of You in 2015 in CHAC's original space in Denver at 772 and 774 Santa Fe Drive. “When we did the event ten years ago, it was a big success, but we knew that we didn’t want it to lose what made it special,” Rob explains. “That’s why we decided not to repeat it until now — because then people become complacent.”
"And it becomes commercialized," Tammy adds. "We wanted it to be an event that was focused on honoring Selena’s spirit and bringing the community together."
Rob and Tammy have been listening to Quintanilla's music for decades, constantly playing it at home and sharing it with family. Their connection to her legacy grew stronger when they created a dedicated fan page years ago, which now has nearly 6,000 followers.
“We started that page forever ago and it's been crazy to see how it's grown," Rob says. "We just put some information out there every now and then as well as allow other fans to share about her life and music. She’s made a big impact for years, and it's easy to see by all the people that get behind the event."
A piece by Carolina Wolf, an artist from New Mexico, dedicated to Selena Quintanilla.
Courtesy of Carolina Wolf
Beyond the gallery walls, the event will offer immersive experiences. Creature Arcade Tattoo will provide Selena-inspired flash tattoos for fans who want to commemorate the occasion permanently. Meanwhile, a folklórico dance group will take the stage, adding another layer of cultural richness to the celebration. The look-alike contest and karaoke competition will give fans a chance to channel their inner Selena, while the Show & Shine car event will bring together some of the finest custom rides in the state.
"In this current climate, there are not a lot of opportunities for people to get together for no reason to enjoy her music; let the kids dress up and dance if they want to, and let the adults do the same," Rob says. "The events we're hosting around the gallery are a chance to gather together in an event that’s not costly. We're just trying to provide just a nice weekend for the community — it’s that simple."
For those looking to pay a more personal tribute, an ofrenda will be set up for visitors to leave special items in remembrance of Quintanilla. “We decided to have the show up in March and April because that time is around both her birthday and deathday,” Rob says. "If people want to bring anything special to leave at the altar, they can."
The Still Dreaming of You event today differs from its first iteration in both scale and focus. A decade ago, the Yanceys organized a month-long tribute with weekly events, while this time they are concentrating their efforts into three dates.
"We raised enough money to rent out the gallery for a month, so this show we're having this year is a lot smaller compared to what we did the first time," Tammy says. "The first time we were doing events every weekend for that month that entire month and this time we're only doing two first Fridays and a big Saturday celebration. Since 2015, we've lost a lot of our artists that did participate in that first one so it won’t be a recreation of the original event."
Still, one thing remains unchanged: Selena’s ability to bring people together. “Selena always gets credit for being an inspiration to Latinos, but I think she's done that for other groups, too,” Rob says. “She’s broken down a lot of barriers and stereotypes, so I think people really gravitate to her and her music.”
Tammy shares a memorable story that encapsulates Selena’s enduring legacy. “I work with a gal who’s probably in her early thirties, and she’s from Texas. When I told her about the Selena show, she said, ‘Oh, my mom’s going to sew me an outfit for the look-alike contest.’ She goes, ‘We’re from Corpus Christi, and in Texas, Selena’s our President.’ Those kinds of things make me so happy we are doing a show like this."
More than just an art show, Still Dreaming of You is a community event that celebrates Quintanilla's timeless music. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or a newcomer to her work, this event is an opportunity to come together, honor her legacy and share in the joy she continues to bring to so many.
“It's just a time to celebrate her," Rob says. "And it's for the whole community, not just the Latinos. When you look at our Facebook page, there's such a mix of cultures on there and it's really great to see that Selena's music is appreciated by so many different cultures."
Still Dreaming of You, Friday, March 7 through Friday, April 11, at CHAC Gallery @ 40 West, 7060 West 16th Avenue, Lakewood. Learn more at chacgallery.org.
