Thanks goes out to the Chinati team
The Chinati Foundation extends a heartfelt thanks to everyone who joined us for Community Day 2026.
We’re grateful to Los Diablitos Azules, MISD Ballet Folklorico, and Mariachi Santa Cruz for sharing their talents with us. We’d like to congratulate the students of Marfa and Presidio ISD on the success of their exhibition, which featured furniture, cyanotypes, and photography. Throughout the event, artist Janelle Esparza generously shared her expertise during drop-in weaving workshops.
Several community organizations joined us to share about their important work: Marfa Bird Club, Marfa Live Arts, the Marfa Golf Course, the Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute, the Marfa ISD PTO and the Mexican Consulate. The Judd Foundation hosted Open Hours at the Ranch Office, and Grand Companions brought five puppies—all adopted by the end of the day. Marfa Public Radio, Big Bend Sentinel, the Alpine Avalanche, and KVLP/KALP were instrumental in spreading the word ahead of the event.
Thank you, Ben E. Keith, Blue Bell Creameries, Cochineal, L&F Distributors and Glazer’s Beer and Beverages, for your contributions, which kept us fed and hydrated. This gathering would not have been possible without you. We extend our gratitude to the Texas Commission on the Arts and the City of Marfa for their ongoing support of Chinati’s programming.
The Marfa ISD junior class—with help from volunteers Mark and Isabel Cash, Juana Jaimes, Mayra Torres, Cesar and Yadira Torres—was essential in preparing and serving the many hot dogs and hamburgers. MISD and Presidio ISD played an invaluable role in making this event possible, with thanks to Adele Powers, Molly Ferguson, Arturo Alferez, and Citlali Sanchez.
Finally, I’d like to extend a very special thank you to Chinati’s staff and docents for their contributions to Community Day 2026: Michael Carnes, Al Davis, Rowdy Dugan, John Ehrke, Micah Francis, Malinda Galindo, J.D. Garcia, Hannah Goldfarb, Regina Gutierrez, Kyp Hinojos, Miguel Leyva, Rhonda Manley, Stephen Martin, Kat McKenna, Suzanne McLeod, Dillon Orr, Janelly Pereira, Ben Shurley, Bogna Skwara, Rachel Smith, Prepney Torres and Katherine Vaughn. A special thanks is owed to Maritza Bautista and Sandra Hinojos for graciously organizing this wonderful day.
We look forward to seeing you on and off Chinati’s grounds again soon.
With gratitude,
Caitlin Murray
Director
Support from community made prom stellar
On Saturday, the Class of 2027 hosted prom at the Capri. It was magical: there was dancing, a photo booth, a killer DJ, and an impromptu and moving cell-phone-lit prom king and queen slow dance.
We could not have had such a wonderful night without the help of this amazing community: thank you so much to Laura Buckshaw and Kirish Dirkson of the Capri who let us have the venue at no charge—what a generous gift to our students. To Sarah Vasquez, Desiree Espada, and Chuck Salgado for lending us their talents at deep discounts. To Laura Diaz for a gorgeous balloon arch, and Ruth Martinez for last-minute table cloths.
Special thanks to many others who helped out in ways big and small: Arturo Alferez, Linda Ojeda, Lizzy Donaldson, Rachel Gomez, Jose Salgado, Donel Hartnett, Carlos Morales, the junior class and their parents, and the Marfa Police Department.
Events like this are a lot to pull off, and we could not do it without the support of this incredible and loving community!
Thank you,
Adele Powers
MHS Junior Class Sponsor & HS Art/Journalism/Yearbook Teacher