Opening a new art gallery is a challenge anywhere but for Jake Prendez, White Center seemed like the perfect place. 

The Nepantla Cultural Arts Gallery located at 9414 Delridge Way SW. is a multi-use space, hosting art exhibitions, arts workshops, a retail space for artists and artisans, as well as a space for events such as spoken word, music and arts related lectures.

Their Grand Opening party is set for Feb. 2 from 5pm to 9pm.

"We'll have open mic nights, events for youth and adults, movie nights, poetry readings, book readings and there is a large assortment (in all price ranges) of gifts all art themed. They will put out call for local artists to meet a theme every month. "Next month the theme is "Love without borders" said Prendez.

Nepantla is a Nahuatl (Aztec language) term which describes being in the middle or the space in the middle. The term was popularized by Chicana writer/scholar Gloria Anzaldua. Most often the term references endangered communities, cultures or gender who due to colonialism/marginalization or historical trauma, that engage in resistance strategies of survival. Nepantla becomes the alternative space in which to live, heal, function and create. 

The Nepantla Cultural Arts Gallery will host monthly art exhibitions highlighting artists from marginalized communities. The Nepantla Cultural Arts Gallery will also be a place for local artists and artisans to sell their work. "We have teamed up with Northwest Folklife and will be hosting the Proxima Generacion: Youth Arts Residency every other Wednesday in our space from 4 to 6:30pm. We will offer free workshops on drawing, painting and group paint/drawing events that will be free and open to the community. Lastly The Nepantla Cultural Arts Gallery will also host other artistic events such as spoken word open mic nights, live music and lectures relating to cultural arts."

You can help them out by contributing to their GoFundMe page here too.