The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture of the Riverside Art Museum

I love art museums, and this one did not disappoint. It was fun, relevant, and interesting. It has 2 floors (and an elevator). There is free parking for patrons, and parking on the street as well. I highly recommend visiting the Cheech Marin Center! It is great for all ages.

Amazing collection of art: SOY de TEJAS is an amazing exhibit that runs through Jan 11, 2026.... if the art there doesn't move you go see a doctor… You might be dead

Who knew that the most popping art scene this side of the 91 freeway would be... in Riverside? Yes, that Riverside. The land of wanna be cholos, and mid food. First off, the art is distinctively Chicano — bold, vibrant, and dripping in cultura. You walk in and immediately get hit with a wave of color, history, and pan dulce references so strong you might need to check your blood sugar. There are paintings that made me cry, think, and crave a concha all at once. Some pieces were so sweet-looking, I swear I gained five pounds just staring at them. There’s one with a stack of glazed pan dulce that had more emotional depth than half the people I dated in my twenties. It’s like if Frida Kahlo and a panadería had a baby raised on lowrider dreams and old-school love songs. And of course, Cheech himself — yes, that Cheech from Cheech & Chong — has curated a collection that says, “Yes, I smoked a lot of weed, but I also have excellent taste in art.” And he does.

Every time I visit the Cheech I feel honored to have such an amazing collection of so many historic artists so close to home. I’ve been bringing my Fullerton College students here since the museum first opened, and we’ve always been welcomed with such kindness by the staff at this museum. There’s a very solid permanent collection and really great temporary exhibitions. Especially love that there’s a gallery downstairs reserve specifically for local Riverside artists, and which is how I have discovered some of my new favorite artists working in Southern California now. I cannot say enough good things about this museum. Oh, and there’s very easy parking. They’re also some good restaurants in the area. I usually bring my students to the food hall about a 10 minute walk away. And you can spend some time walking around in downtown Riverside. It’s makes for a really enjoyable day.

If you’re thinking of visiting definitely make the trip. It was well worth the drive. The first floor features various artists but the second floor has a whole display of one artists collection. Such a great art collection from our people!

I am happy that I finally got here! The facility, grounds and local area are beautiful. The artwork was moving and inspiring, the exhibits from locals and the Texas artists' work were beautiful and innovative. So much so that I was looking forward to purchasing a print or object in the gift shop. The Museum Gift Shop was disappointing. There were coffee table books and little things that can be found anywhere. Not even a cool sticker or postcard! We did not have time to go to the other museum, but was told there was nothing there related to The Cheech.

What a great experience! Beautiful art and room to enjoy it. The staff was friendly and helpful. Everything about the visit was easy and smooth. At least some of the staff are lifetime Riverside residents and their love of community shines through. If your journey takes you through Riverside, I highly recommend stopping at The Cheech and checking out the distinct and amazing art that is there waiting for you to discover.

Loved the experience. First time experiencing our Chicano culture & history in a museum. Can't wait to go back and see future exhibits.

I have had this museum on my list for many years and was thrilled with my first visit. We were in the Pasadena area and took a trip to Riverside for this museum and am so happy with the experience. The collection is broad, complex, thoughtful and I was happy to hear different art is rotated so you can have various experiences each time you visit. I have NEVER experienced a collection of art that spoke to me and my identity so deeply. The design, content, narrative and artistry was TOP NOTCH. Thank you so much for creating this beautiful collection and sharing it with us!

I've been visiting the Cheech Museum every summer since they opened in 2022. Each year, they have some of the same exhibits, as previous years, and also many new ones. I always enjoy the open space, calming environment, and beautiful art collections. The price of your ticket also includes entrance to the RAM, which is literally a block away and an easy walk. Parking in downtown is free M-F after 5, and all day on the weekends. This summer I became a member, which means I have unlimited visits, invitations to opening exhibits, and early access to tickets for special events for the year. They have various memberships available for students, seniors and educators (they will check for verification) as well as for individual and family memberships. The Cheech is very family friendly, although there may be some art not suitable for children (that's up to your discretion though). Overall, this is a wonderful place to get your art fix. It is also located downtown, which means there are many eateries/drink places within walking distance, or a quick drive, if you prefer.

A real bummer of a visit. As a fairly new Mexican American Indian artist (post NDE), I looked so forward to seeing all of the museum, instead the entire second floor was closed for switching out the art. Okay, I understand. But why not mention it on the website or before buying tickets. The minimal cost of tickets is not the issue. It's the fact that this museum isn't exactly a hop, skip, or jump away. It was one of several things I so wanted to see/do for my birthday. On my first visit there I was able to see both upstairs (main gallery), downstairs, and the other smaller art museum down the street. Nice, but I wanted to see the latest from fellow Chicano artists. On the bright side, traffic wasn't as bad heading up and over the Cajon Pass. Still bummed. A voucher, a coupon, or an "I'm sorry," of sorts would have been nice. Instead, when I asked (hoping it was just closed another 1/2 hour) not knowing why it was roped off. Wishful thinking I know. I just got a, "the other museum is open." So, selection of eye candy, dismal. Ticket price still great but that was not the point. I'm not exactly a spring chicken and pain gets in the way of much. May the 3rd time be a charm.

An amazing collection of Chicano/a/x art, with well curated exhibits throughout the museum. A current exhibit of community members' works resulting from a collaboration among artists, historians, academics, and community residents, called Black and Brown in the Inland Empire and Beyond is moving and powerful. Highly recommended!

Very nice art gallery. We really liked all of Cheechs' amazing art. So many different styles but all woth lots of color. The entire place was filled with amazing paintings and some other art work. It was worth the price and more.

I have been wanting to visit since it opened and I finally made it this week. The Cheech is a beautiful museum located in downtown Riverside. I went on a random weekday afternoon so it wasn't too crowded and easy to find parking right out front. The museum featured beautiful art, exhibitions and classes that focus on the Chicanx perspective. I was inspired and moved by the pieces that I saw as they spoke to the food, clothing, language, dance, culture and style that defines the Latino and indigenous culture in California, Texas, Mexico and beyond. The staff that I encountered was very helpful and knowledgeable. Would love to return during an exhibit in the future. I saw one that was being set up for the following evening entitled: "BLACK & BROWN IN THE I.E. AND BEYOND" and it looked incredibly interesting. Highly recommended visit by this museum nerd .

What a gem! Might be my favorite collection of art in Southern California and that's saying something because I love The Broad too. I had no idea the collection would be so large and varied. We were there when Judithe Hernandez had her work upstairs. Absolutely blown away by it. I teach high school art including some AP classes and really wanted to bring my students here. It's not easy to find work so culturally significant to California. I know my students would benefit from seeing the whole collection, both upstairs and downstairs. I could not work it out this year. Looking forward to my next visit.

The "Cheech" opened in June 2022. I read about its plan for a center to showcase Latino art paintings, photography and sculptures. It's a connection for emerging artists to gather and support one another. This is a two-level museum and gift shop to buy prints, books, bookmarks, pens, key chains, collector pins, and souvenirs. Exhibits rotate to feature different types of art from numerous artists. A nominal entrance fee supports their projects and programs. Free Admission is available on the First Thursday evening (6PM- 9PM to coincide with Riverside Art Walk); and, First Sunday of the month, sponsored by Bank of America. Plan a day trip to Riverside, enjoy museums, restaurants, hotels, shops, parks, and churches. Don't forget to tell'em that Rosemary and Cheech Marin sent ya!

This is a gem of a museum, with an extensive, and varied, collection of Hispanic art: art about and by Hispanic people. My cousin and I visited because we were going to eat at the nearby Tio's Tacos (q.v), and decided to stop in. That day, admission was free for all, thanks to a grant of some sort, and it was packed with people. As with most any art museum, you'll see paintings and sculptures, but the day we visited, there were also some wonderful assemblage pieces, including a small "room" with Catholic religious icons and symbols, made out of all sorts of reclaimed and repurposed materials. Another assemblage, a black and white portrait, of sorts, was made with the most amazing assortment of buttons, charms, beads, etc. Upstairs, the entire floor held the work of one woman, Amalia Mesa-Bains, which included many of her large-scale installations, as well as (my favorites) two intriguing scroll-type books with text, pictures, and embellishments. This museum will be a regular stop when I journey to this area. It's always interesting.

Visiting The Cheech Marin for the Chicano Art & Culture Museum, @ Downtown Riversive in the Mission Art District. We some much fun visiting the center, the first floor art installation is from the Cheech Marin's personal art collection and other Latino artist art collaboration. They have an Amazing 3'd art panel which is two floors high and it gives a different art views depending on the location, one step away is 2 steps to 3 steps away is just Amazing! Other installation artist bringing their memories to an art form, from the Mexican aguas fresca jugs to pricing large pricing. Other showing a day setting picture to evening ending in a car accident. This is from a Latino Artist personal memory or personal experience experience brought to life in a art form similar to what is known as now and then picture. The second floor is exhibition art installation has various Latino Artists and feature artists is Amalia Mesa-Bains, she has installation of beautiful altar and offendas to her younger sister and other family members. This installation feels very personal and loving way to express her love for each of them. Also she has a video area where she explains her art, I would recommend to see this before entering the art installation area it will give you a different feeling to See and feel her passion with each garment, personal item all placed in a specially in a perfectly place on large wall display to shadow boxes, and many other displays. Is walking distance to the famous Mission Inn Hotel. Opens at 10:AM the ticket price includes entrance to a museum on the same street there a church between the museums. Parking: Street parking or park on a public parking structure.

We came here Sunday and discovered the center holds Salsa every Sunday ! Not to sure on the start time but the event ended at 4pm, we got there at 3pm for context but didn't have to leave until 5 pm. The work as immersive and o pleasant. Best part as seeing a comedic iconic actor from my generation develop into an artist by experiencing his art work! Don't forget to visit the second floor for the featured artist she did an amazing job!

I was here for Cheech Marin's Press Conference in 2017, first visited at the end of 2022, and returned October 2024. The space is still immaculate and open. There are plenty of artists with well trained eyes that flood the walls. This is a valuable California museum and rivals many art museums in the region. Tickets can be purchased online and you can find 3 hour parking in the rear of the building.

Great place. Amazing selection. Thankful for this gem in Riverside. Will return. Loved the variety of art that took me back to my childhood. My inner child delighted I. This experience. Thank you Cheech.

Free Sundays at The Cheech all summer long just ended, and luckily, we found the time to make the trip. I remembered coming to the former library years ago, and was curious when news broke that the space would be transformed into a museum. Twas' a scorcher of a day in R'side when we went, and even the museum couldn't keep out some of that heat we were trying to get away from. With all that said, I was truly captivated by the art. Curated by Cheech Marin over the years, there seemed to be a sense of longing for the bygone days, melancholy mixed with celebration. Family time at the dinner tables, mixtapes on wooden cassettes of classic singers such as Joan Sebastian and Amanda Miguel, a miniaturized model of a child's bedroom fashioned from clay, a collection of neon-colored signs listing grocery products and prices, and poetry lamenting the distance between family members due to immigration status. In short, the collection felt down-to-earth, approachable, yet thought-provoking. On the second floor, the Yolanda Lopez exhibit showed works of incredible scope, highlighting generations of women throughout her life and providing a platform for them to be seen and heard. The anatomical representation of the heart showed up in multiple art pieces, which I interpreted as pumping life into all the still imagery and perhaps the uninitiated museum-goer. One of the artists that was interviewed in a video presentation referred to "mental menudo", the way to nourish the mind artistically which guided his desire to create. Without a doubt, the menudo is delicious here.

Cool atmosphere. Been a fan of Cheech Marin for years! Beautiful artwork on both floors. Great addition to beautiful downtown Riverside

A beautiful space and a new venue to hold a charity gala. I love the ease of parking and the inviting entrance. I hope to visit again to truly enjoy each art piece.

This museum is AWESOME. The art in here, the collection itself (only a fraction of Cheech's apparently 850-plus-piece collection) is so good. I drove an hour from LA and it exceeded expectations. Beautiful, inspiring, moving works from an amazing range of artists. I was super happy I came. Very well attended also, lots of people there, great staff, and they were giving a school tour when I was there, which was adorable. Love this place and looking forward to coming back to see the new exhibitions (regular rotation). Park in the back of the parking lot where the signs say 3 hours free.

WOW. So thankful for places like the Cheech to be so community centered and so inviting! We took advantage of the FREE FIRST SUNDAY of THE MONTH. Seriously, calling all families in the area to check out this place. We took our 3 year old and 8 month old infant. We took a stroller and everything. They have 2 ramps by the entrance and an elevator to get to the 2nd floor. There is space for all. They are not kidding when they say they are open for all ages. The arts are amazing and there is enough space for everyone to admire the arts. The people working/volunteering are friendly. The art is appropriate for all ages, though depending on the exhibits, there may be some that are a bit scary for the little ones. The arts tells a story and evoke pretty powerful feelings. I really did enjoy going around and just appreciating the paintings and the sculpture. There were also plenty of other kids activities and booths that were giving away free goodies for the kids to enjoy. Truly such a wonderful place to have here in Riverside!

We came here on a field trip to the Cheech Marin Museum. The tour guide's customer service was professional and knowledgeable. I teach high school so the selection of Chicano art is superb. What a wonderful valuable experience for our students to be exposed to such a magnificent collection of Chicano art. The museum is an excellent value for field trips. I recommend this museum for a family outing, a school trip, or even a date! You will not be disappointed. Thank you to the museum for making our trip so fabulous!

Enjoy Cheech Marin's collection of Chicano arts, especially loved the pieces from P. Valdez and Chaz Bojorquez. The featured artist exhibit of Judithe Hernandez was provocative and powerful. Limited free parking in the back of the museum on the weekend. Admission fee also gives one entrance to the Riverside Art Center and Museum down the street. Must visit both. Good value.

What can I say...my heart belongs in LA and this place just took me on a blast from the past. I brought my dad with me this time and he was able to reminiscence about growing up in East LA. Chicano art will always have a special place in my heart and this place kept me in awe. The first floor is filled with art piece from local Chicano artist from Los Angeles. They each tell stories about their experiences with the stroke of a paintbrush, a click of a flash, and in many other ways. There are also those pieces that make you aware of the smaller picture many do not like to talk about-discrimination and assimilation. Te center told each story beautifully. I definitely recommend stopping to watch the different videos that are on display because they are different but entertaining. There are two floors to the center so there's is a lot to see. Make sure you check out the giant low rider piñata! It is definitely a sight to see. The gift shop has some pretty cool souvenirs and some books that were featured in the collection. Bring a camera when you come to visit. Just make sure you keep the flash off!!!

The Cheech is a great experience and a very nice addition to downtown Riverside. They have a feee parking lot behind the museum which is super nice. The employees were super friendly. Your ticket gets you into the RAM as well. I really enjoyed my visit!

One of the few places where Hispanic, art is showcased in the Inland Empire. Very nice place to visit and experience a culture shock very nice place to see some great art.

We have wanted to visit the Cheech since learning about Cheech Marin's extensive art collection through his memoir and social media. We had originally purchased tickets for our daughter's spring break but she caught COVID. The Cheech was wonderful about rescheduling so we kicked off our summer break with a road trip to Riverside. The Cheech is located in downtown Riverside, a short block from the Riverside Art Museum. The art collection is impressive. The paintings, photographs, and multimedia pieces showcase a breadth of styles and themes. The second floor exhibition, Xican-a.o.x. Body, was especially moving as it focuses on issues of identity, body image, gender, and included several LGBTQIA artists/works. This museum was much needed and appreciated by our Xicanx family.

This museum was such a fun surprise experience. The 2-3 story hologram piece commissioned for the museum is worth the price of admission. Really liked the colorful and interesting pieces, and the traveling/rotating exhibit was interesting.

I cannot wait to come back here. Cheech Marin has done an excellent job curating works and opening this cultural arts center. Apparently, he is a passionate and laser-focused collector, and you can tell exploring this Center. It opened last summer and my family was able to see the inaugural exhibition which ran through May 14, 2023. I hope as many people as possible were able to experience it. As I said, I am anxious to be beach to attend the next exhibition. The Center is spacious but not overwhelmingly large since it is part, or at least, adjacent to, the Riverside Art Museum. Our tickets here were also good for RAM (it may have been a special deal at the time but I don't think so). As the name indicates, this is an art and cultural center with classrooms on the second floor. I would *love* to attend a workshop or class here! There is an area on the first floor where you can purchase shirts, hats, albums, etc. Parking is plentiful with a parking lot. It's located in the downtown area so you do have to pay a nominal fee for parking but it's worth it. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

The Cheech Marin Center is truly a great museum. It focuses on Latin American art and it truly presents a vast array of art created by a number of modern artists. Walking inside you immediately are presented with some of the best art from the Chicano community that you will find anywhere on this planet. This is a very large space. It is open and it is airy. As is the case with all museums, the walls are lined with art. An essential thing to keep in mind about this museum is that the art does change. So, what you see at one point in time will not necessarily be what you see a bit farther down the road. Thus, whenever you come here you will find inspirational works to look at and to study. Overall, this is a truly great and very unique art museum. It is a great addition to not only downtown Riverside but to the entire Southern California and world community on the whole.

Wow ... a awesome location to visit and a great place to experience Chicano artwork.. I was completely blown away at all the beautiful and diverse collection of different pieces that were hanging in the gallery .. to be completely honest, I was overwhelmed, and a very proud to see my culture represented in such a excellent way... If you haven't been there you should definitely make the trip.. it's totally worth it.

Y T U G R U P O T A M B I É N -------------------------------------------------- TOUR GUIDE: "Good morning, group. Good morning, group. Group? Group!? SHUT UP!!!!! Thank you. Welcome to the Cheech Marin Center. As you know your regular Tour Guide Sister Rosetta Stone is on a small vacation. However she does send her love, and some autographed finger paintings, and soon those little Jesus statues she's making for the gift shop." "I am your substitute tour guide, Sister Mary Elephant. You-- you with the Sugar Skull tattoo-- now give me that knife. Thank you. Now group, you all know who I am, so let's find out who you are." RANDO FROM GROUP: Far out, man! TOUR GUIDE: "Thank you. Now, Sister Rosetta has informed me that you were to write a Yelp review with the theme: 'Chicanos aren't just some dudes sneaking across the border to join in on some random gang fights.' Who would like to read theirs to the group?" "Young man in the back row with the red eyes, step forward and read your review." "Who me?" "Yes. Read your review, please!" "Uh, I don't have it finished yet...." "Well read what you have, then!" "Uhh, Okay." REVIEW, SO FAR: "Your family may be stupid, but mine isn't, so we go to museums, events, and tours on both sides of the border. We used to go to Mexico more to party, but now we go there for cultural visits and to buy the medicine. Last time in Mexico there was a huge back-log of Venezuelans and Salvadorans waiting to cross. I hope they are prohibited because they only come here to steal the already stolen cash-basis jobs from my homies. The first thing we do on museum trips is get some food stamps from cousin Juan #3 to buy some Wonder Bread, Vienna sausages, and a piñata. Then we park at the museum to eat hispanic hot dogs and down some Budweisers. Then we blast 'The Macarena' through all 15 speakers. The next thing we do on museum trips is wait for Tio, Abuela, Nana, Maria (the one who has mustache hair like her father), Papo, Juanita, Jose, Tony, Tito, Luisa, Chata, and 40 other cousins whose names end with a vowel to climb out of the trunk of a Chevy Low-rider to join us." "And that's all I got... I gotta go to the can, man!" Pro tip: Something good always happens at 4:20, and today it was a visit to the Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art in Riverside. Each piece of artwork was brilliant, and/or comical, and/or heart-wrenching-- based on the artist's unique vision and experience. This is the first museum that celebrates Mexican American artists and resultant biculturalism. The collection of paintings, photographs, and sculptures are from Marin's personal art collection that he's curated since the 80's. Who knew Cheech was so into the art scene, man. Bonus tip: Q: Why do Mexicans eat tamales on Christmas? A: Because they're delicious, you so racist

Amazing museum. I love everything this stands for. An amazing testament to the power of Chicano art!

The Cheech is a gorgeous space to appreciate the importance of Chicano/a/x art. I have gone with students and friends several times, each time learning about amazing artists and feeling a profound respect for Cheech Marin in creating this collection and this space. And you get free admission to the Riverside Art Museum, the staff is super friendly, and you can make a day trip if you're coming from outside the area.

Great place for a date. Beautiful art and history to learn. Definitely recommending for a laid back experience for the family or for a quick get away with your lady.

I've been waiting for the day to come to check out CHEECH MARINS CHICANO ART COLLECTION and today was the day. I was flabbergasted by all the new artist I saw displayed today. I also saw new types of art I have never seen such as art with a light box behind causing changes in the art as you moved around it BLEW my mind. The exhibit is a good size it took a good 2 hours to. Heck out everything with good timing . I definitely recommend checking out this exhibit even if you don't identify as Chicano the art is SPECTACULAR. Thank to CHEECH for allowing us to experience such an amazing collection of art. Entry includes entry to the Riverside Museum of art and The CHEECH Marin center for Chicano art & Culture The employees are very nice they walk around and give you more knowledge when it comes to art in general and the art in display I will definitely come back to check it out before new are it displayed later this year!!

I came here for a group tour and really enjoyed the museum. It was not too big or small, with lots of interesting art. Some of the art was by popular and well-known Latin artists, but they make a point of showing newer artists as well. The exhibits are well-organized, small gift shop and some parking in the back. Otherwise, there is street parking. Worth the drive.

My wife and I kept hearing about The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art and Culture on the radio and through a friend, so we made the trip up. We were there on a Friday about 11am and there was street parking and alongside the museum. No wait to walk in and not a lot of people at first. There is an abundance of artist's work exhibited in different mediums. You have paintings, drawings, sculptures and acrylic art pieces which all have a story and are quite amazing and eye intriguing. Some of the exhibits have videos in them. Cheech has put a nice example of Chicano art for our pleasure in one place. Orale Cheech! Gracias!!! Really enjoyed our visit

So for Memorial Day, we got tickets for The Cheech Marin Center in Riverside! We were able to find parking in the front and since it was a holiday, it was free parking. As soon as we walked in, we saw a giant piece of artwork that catches your eye right away. The Center was only open on one floor but there were some nice pieces and we will have to come back when they re-open the other floor as well!

I'm very proud of my community and where I'm from Moreno Valley Arts association and Entrepreneur,@succs2beu as a DJ of the Riverside Arts Walk. I attended the downtown Riverside arts walk in August and really enjoyed how the musuems show up and show out on these nights with live music, bright lights and interactive activities such as jewelry making. I hope to see more of your artists and events all over the city. This @thecheechcenter was a great Chicano date spot.

I absolutely loved visiting. It was a great exhibit and you got free attendance to the Riverside Art Museum too which was really fun and they had an amazing photography exhibit at the time which I really enjoyed. I think the price is more than fair and definitely worth coming in and looking at. I often find myself in Los Angeles or San Diego County for some art and it's nice to have somewhere local then I can go and see something beautiful without having to drive so far being a now IE resident since about 2013 and that's the one thing I was always missing and this really made it for me. #SupportLocal

Outstanding Art Gallery definitely a place to consider visiting if you have not had the opportunity to visit. Spacious and climate controlled inside. Small gift shop. Clean restrooms. Elevator if needed. Great selection of art that rotates periodically. Local artist work featured. A tip is to scan the barcode near the art piece you are interested in and it will link you to an audio and sometimes a video of the artist describing the art piece. I highly recommend if you are able to sign up and support this art gallery. When you join as a member you receive a discount at the gift shop, invitations to special events and more importantly your membership is helping many people to enjoy the Art.

Been to many museums around the world, this is probably my favorite or one of my favorite ones. We had brunch at Arcade and decided to go for a walk and ended up here. When I first heard of this museum I didn't expect much, but once inside I was mesmerized by the large holographic piece in the lobby. The closer I got to it the more images I would see. Then I walked around and it was like I finally found an art museum where every exhibit I fuck with. Aside from this featuring local artists, it also has a lot of colorful installations and paintings, but the pieces are relatable in that they're more current and of this time. One of the pieces was made from recycled cans and it reminded me of another piece I saw in Palm Springs recently at Desert X and low and behold, it was made by the same artist, Gerald Clarke who is also a professor at UCR! If you're not from America and you're looking for a place that explains life in America or at least California you need to add this to your places to see. TIckets were $15 and it's right off the freeway and next to the Mission Inn so there's other stuff to see and do in the surrounding area. It has so much in a small space and I hope they expand it, if possible.

STEPH JUDGEMENT: Great gem of a museum showcasing Chicano art. My friends and I made the drive out to Riverside to check this place out and we thought it was well worth it. We'd made reservations online and the check-in process was fast and easy. It's not a large museum, but there was lots to see. The ground floor was from their permanent collection, with a diverse array of modern and contemporary art. I certainly had no idea that Cheech Marin of Cheech & Chong fame was such an art connoisseur. The 2-story wall featuring a stained glass piece by the de la Torre brothers was mind boggling, as was their exhibit that took up the entirety of the second floor. We spent a good few hours looking at everything and were very impressed. I thought their gift shop was a bit sparse, but minor quibbles. Overall, an institution to make Riverside proud.

Staying at the Mission Inn, with the museum just across the street, we had to drop in for a visit. Growing up in Boyle Heights, it was a walk through memory lane with a lot of the artist showcasing some of the nearby parks (Echo and Hollenbeck) and points of interest.

Such a classy, clean and cool space. I love all the colorful art. It is relatively small as far as museums go. But, well worth the visit. I love the zoom suit riot painting! My fave for sure.

First Sunday of the month is free. Didn't know it, so I was pleasantly surprised. Artwork is from Cheech Marin's private collection or artist provided. I enjoyed viewing two-stories worth of an eclectic collection created by Latin artists.

I throughly enjoyed this museum and the exhibition within. My wife and I made a date evening of it and had a great time! I won't post the works but there is a cheech narrated section where he speaks and tells the stories of each painting. The time frame we used wasn't enough to see all of the displays with the video narration but it will be great to revisit this place. Finally, you don't have to drive to LA to enjoy the Arts!

Got a chance to check this place out on Easter after brunch. We were surprised to find out they were opened so we strolled over and boy are we glad we did. The admission to the museum also included admission to another museum down the street which was a bonus. There's 2 floors and so much to see. Some of the paintings have QR codes you can scan to learn more info about the piece of art. I thought that feature was pretty cool. I would suggest bringing your headphones if you want to listen. It's not mandatory but I think it'll make the experience more intimate for yourself. There was so much art to admire that I could of honestly spent the whole day in there if I went alone. I look forward to bringing more friends and family to check this place out. It's such a gem in the middle of everything going on around in downtown Riverside!

Finally made it to The Cheech. Cheech Marin a well known actor ,donated art from his personal collection to the museum. From what I could see he must have had every wall of his home covered in art --even the corners.If he didn't have a personal connection to Riverside he has one now. The museum consists of two floors. The first floor is art from Cheech's collection . The second floor is being used to showcase the art of a team of brothers.There's seating throughout if you want to sit and absorb what you are seeing . There's a gift shop to purchase branded merchandise.I liked that there are QR codes placed next to the captions for more background info on a piece. Guess who is narrating? Cheech himself.There is a cost involved in visiting , but check the website for select discounts that are available ( military, teachers, children , EBT). The price of your ticket also secures entry to The Riverside Art Museum which is located a walkable block away.

Buy a ticket, thank me later. Honestly, you could spend hours here, there so much art, some much to admire, so much to ponder and so much to feel. I would go as far to say that it's worth a trip to the Inland Empire. This is the first museum in the United States solely dedicated to Chicano art and Cheech has quite the collection. The museum itself is very spacious and despite having a lot of people at the museum, it didn't feel crowded. You can definitely take each piece at your pace and are two levels to explore. I'll definitely making another visit when I'm in the area as the collection rotates.

Yesterday afternoon, my wife an I visited this museum, "The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art." We had been looking forward to going since its announcement that it was coming to downtown Riverside. It was a chilly, rainy day ... perfect for spending some time there and taking it all in. As you walk in you're immediately presented with a huge, larger than life, two-story tall reflective piece. It was amazing. There is a nominal fee to enter, you can obtain details on their website here: https://riversideartmuseum.org/visit/the-cheech-marin-center-for-chicano-art-culture/ Plan to spend some time here. It houses a fine collection of Chicano art by various artists. Karin and I had just watched the Netflix documentary about Carlos Almaraz, and friends "Playing With Fire" . Worth watching if you'd like to familiarize yourself with Chicano art and the philosophy behind it. It provides you with a good perspective. The first floor of the museum was filled with a great collection of art, ranging from colorful, vibrant, canvasses painted with acrylics, to pieces done in chalk, charcoal, water colors, as well as good range of mixed-media offerings. The QR Codes next to the captions of the art are very helpful and provides you with a more, in-depth description of the piece. It gives you a good depiction of life as a Chicano/Mexican American in places like East L.A., Boyle Heights, MacArthur Park and surrounding areas. As someone who grew up in Los Angeles County, it took me back to my childhood and brought me memories of friends I had that lived in those communities. On the second floor, you are presented with lots of three-dimensional art sculptures, and many glass-blown pieces that are very impressive. There is lots to look at. I would suggest you take your time to really soak it in and appreciate the time consuming effort that was meticulously put in by all the individual artists. If you enjoy museums, I would surely recommend this place. It's right in downtown Riverside, and next to the iconic Mission Inn. In addition to merely viewing the art, they also offer art classes as an added benefit. Oh, and one more included benefit available through Feb. 28, 2023, the cost of your ticket also grants you entry to The Riverside Art Museum which is located a short block away, that you can easily walk to. A two-for-one deal ... pretty nice, right? .. Again, for more details on this, refer to the website; https://riversideartmuseum.org/get-tickets/ There are plenty of places nearby to grab a bite afterwards, do a little window shopping, and strolling along the pedestrian mall. It's nice to enjoy some time outdoors, and if you're so inclined, there are a few spots also to sit and enjoy a cocktail or two. Overall, in my opinion, it's a nice opportunity to get out of the house and enjoy a leisurely stroll downtown.