A painted image of a smiling man complete in striped suit and wide sombrero next to a guitar covers the window of a small building at the intersection of Congress Avenue and Fifth Street. Inside the building, a painting honoring Mexican singer Vicente Fernández hangs proudly on the wall.

This year, the Mexic-Arte Museum presents its 18th annual Mix ‘n’ Mash exhibition, entitled “On Repeat: The Musicians Who Shaped Us.” The show, which doubles as a fundraiser, runs from Jan. 30 to Mar. 8. Featuring over 200 artists, the exhibition comprises 231 pieces, all of which the public can purchase. 

“Every year we have a different theme for Mix ‘n’ Mash,” Luisa Fernanda Perez, curator of exhibitions at Mexic-Arte, said. “Mix ‘n’ Mash has been part of our programming since 2010, so we wanted to do something special, and we were thinking of something very specific to Austin.”

Mix ‘n’ Mash, an ode to the mashing of genres in the art and the mixing of artists to create a unique collection, invites locals to participate in creating the works featured in the show. Ampersand Art Supply donates 200 12-by-12-inch gessoboards that Mexic-Arte distributes to anybody over 18 who would like to create a work, though creators may purchase additional gessoboards to use for their pieces. ItZel Carrizales-Aguilar, studio art sophomore and former curatorial intern at Mexic-Arte, created a piece for the show.

“I was in my room checking Instagram, and Mexic-Arte posted (about Mix ‘n’ Mash),” Carrizales-Aguilar said. “That clicked, and I immediately told my friend about it and was like, ‘Hey, dude, we’re doing this.’ … That was my gateway into (Mexic-Arte).”

The yearly show serves as a fundraiser, with 60% of the art sale proceeds going to youth and adult educational programming and future exhibitions. Artists keep the remaining 40% of the sale of their works. 

“(Mix ‘n’ Mash) is a dual (event) for us,” Perez said. “It is a fundraising event, but it’s also very much a celebration through our Austin community. I think that’s one of the most important things.”

The opening of “On Repeat,” scheduled months in advance, fell on Jan. 30, the day of the “National Shutdown” protest. The museum closed until 6 p.m., when the opening reception began. Mexic-Arte made the decision to donate 50% of ticket sales to Casa Marianella, a shelter for displaced immigrants in Austin. Syriah Enriquez, an English and Mexican American and Latina/o studies junior, attended the opening reception, which included a DJ, dance floor and arts and crafts table.

“(The opening reception) was packed,” Enriquez said. “I would say at least 300 people showed up. It was completely full. It was wonderful.” 

Enriquez said that she encourages students to take the bus and a buddy to enjoy Mix ‘n’ Mash, an exhibition that she said remains unique to Austin and Mexic-Arte.

 “The Austin community always shows up for Mix ‘n’ Mash,” Perez said. “It’s a special celebration of Austin and … the different types of communities that exist here. It’s a busy and challenging exhibit for us, but it’s totally worth it.”