Tres Voces, Un Corazón: Regis Professor and Alumnus Feature in Family Exhibition

From now through Sept. 13, 2026, the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art (BMoCA) features Tres Voces, Un Corazón, an exhibition bringing together the artwork of Regis fine arts professor Tony Ortega, his wife, Sylvia Montero, and son, Regis alumnus Cipriano Ortega, RC, ‘14. The exhibition envelops the viewers into the family’s history through place, space and identity by exploring the ways in which artistic expression develops in the context of “home.”

Each member of the family embraces unique artistic media, whilst developing from the same sense of place. The exhibit encompasses Cipriano Ortega’s musical and theatrical leanings, and the visual and sculptural work of Tony Ortega and Montero’s artistry. Although this is not the first time the family has exhibited their work together, this is the first time they have “taken over” a space, as Tony described.

This idea of “home” is reflected throughout the actual physicality of the exhibition. Bringing together this family of artists into one dedicated space mirrors the real home that they share in Denver. Each member has their own studio where they are able to focus on their work separately within the home while connecting their creative processes together as a family.

Growing up, Cipriano Ortega was encouraged to explore his creativity. As educators, Tony and Montero gave support as often as constructive criticism. Cipriano detailed how he did not have many toys bought for him as a child and instead was given the tools and materials to create his own.

“I was born into this reality that existed before me, and so the idea of creation and being an artist never was put upon me, but it was always there, even before I was born.” Cipriano continued, “I’ve always been encouraged to dive into those things and really have an opportunity, especially now that I'm older, to really understand what is my place as a creator, and what is it that I want to say.”

The sense of space shown throughout the exhibition extends outside of the home and to their shared community. Hailing from the Northside of Denver, now called the Highlands, Tony Ortega and Montero were at the forefront of the civil rights movement and the Chicano movement in Denver. This cultural history informs the art that they create and pass down to the next generation.

Growing up and living in the same neighborhood for nearly his entire life, Cipriano began to question the concept of “home” during his 2024 Breck Create artist’s residency in Breckenridge, Colorado. Cipriano’s main installation in Tres Voces showcases his band’s debut album developed during that period: “Lo Lo House.”

“Lo Lo House” blends together a blues inspiration with “low rock” vibes, featuring Cipriano on the two-string slide bass and vocals. The lyrics for many songs on the album were developed “while taking late-night walks in the neighborhood, the Northside, and really finding lyricism through my journey.” The residency was one of the longest periods he had ever stayed away from his family home, spurring not just his creative process, but also his desire for “home.”

"How do you make a space a home, especially when you're by yourself?” Cipriano continued, “My main installation is the home, because I always think of my home as truly where my heart is, where I've developed my whole self.”

During his education at Regis, Cipriano majored in sociology, with an additional emphasis in music and vocal performance. For him, Regis played a role in shaping his own self-education and spiritual explorations, molding his identity as a young artist after his graduation in 2014.

“I spent five years at Regis as an undergrad, and it really taught me how to curate my own continued education within the things that I'm interested in,” said Cipriano Ortega. “As a Jesuit university, my other emphasis was my spirituality. I've always been attracted to minimalism, so I think I still identify as a minimalist artist, and just in my lifestyle: what is minimal? What is essential to tell a story, to survive and to create things?”

Tony and Cipriano occupied Regis at the same time as professor and student. While not always interacting directly in the classroom, their family roots kept them connected throughout Cipriano’s undergraduate education. As a professor at Regis for more than 20 years, Tony  shared that because of Ciprano’s inside perspective, he was able to “know [his] students at another level.”

Throughout the summer, the BMoCA will host a series of summer workshops and events in tandem with the artists. From piñata making to live music performances, there are many opportunities to engage with both the artists and the community.

Coming up on June 11, 2026, writers can join the BMoCA and Cipriano Ortega with the Lighthouse Writers Workshop for a poetry workshop reflecting the themes of family, home and history intrinsic to the exhibition.

Learn more about the exhibition here.