To celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, the Avalanche worked with multiple artists to showcase their talents to all of Avs Faithful.
To kick off the month, the Avs welcomed Juls Mendoza to Ball Arena as a part of Ball Fall Fest, where he created an interactive painting celebrating his Latino background. As a part of the painting, Mendoza welcomed fans to place their thumbprint on the Avs logo in the center of the painting. “[Getting the fans involved] is what makes it the most important and meaningful,” Mendoza said.
In addition, the Avalanche worked with Spanish artist Cristina Del Hoyo to turn an Avalanche home sweater into a one-of-a-kind art piece that honors her background and Hispanic heritage.
The sweater is inspired by the vibrancy and resiliency of the Hispanic community. The diverse color palette symbolizes the rich history of Hispanic, Latin, and Chicano cultures. “While each hue stands distinct, they unite to form a dynamic mosaic—much like our community itself. This interplay of colors represents both our unique identities and our shared heritage, creating a visual metaphor for the contrast and support we offer one another,” Del Hoyo said.
The back of the design features a sun, a symbol of connection to Earth and nature. “It represents life, warmth, and our intrinsic bond with the natural world,” Del Hoyo continued, “the additional spheres evoke the vastness of the cosmos, while the triangular elements reach beyond the material realm, hinting at our spiritual dimensions.”
Cristina used the jersey as a celebration of the multi-faceted identities of the Hispanic community. “I believe our differences make us stronger, enriching our communities and nurturing mutual understanding as we proudly celebrate our traditions with radiant enthusiasm,” Del Hoyo explained, “[Our identity is] rooted in tradition yet ever-evolving, grounded in shared experiences yet aspiring towards greater heights.”
Both the jersey and the painting were displayed on the concourse during Hispanic Heritage Month, and the artists were interviewed as a part of Avalanche Insight.
Juls can be found on Instagram @jwlc_art, or by viewing his website at https://julsmendoza.com.
You can find more of Cristina’s work on Instagram @cristinadelhoyo_art, or by viewing her website at https://www.cristinadelhoyo.com.
