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San Diego State University Imperial Valley and the Border Institute of Contemporary Art welcomed the community to the Steppling Art Gallery on Wednesday for the opening of El Pintor de la Frontera: The Art of Carlos Coronado Ortega, a retrospective exhibition celebrating the life and work of the pioneering Baja California artist.
Curated from the private collection of Arturo Selwick, a close friend and supporter of the artist, the exhibition presents a diverse range of works spanning over six decades of Coronado Ortega’s prolific career. From abstract compositions to realistic and impressionistic pieces, the exhibit includes paintings, reliefs, assemblages, and sculptures.
Carlos Coronado Ortega, whose artistic vision has shaped cultural spaces throughout the borderlands, is widely known for his vibrant murals and exploration of border identity. Among his most notable public works are The First Steps at the Mexicali Public Library (1974) and Un Siglo Fértil at Plaza Centenario in Mexicali (2004), both considered key visual landmarks in Baja California
The artist, who has lived and worked in Mexicali since 1966, draws inspiration from his heritage and the desert landscapes that define the Baja California and Sonora region. Named El Pintor de la Frontera by Selwick, Coronado Ortega’s work reflects themes of movement, origin, and form.
Coronado Ortega studied at the Academia de Pintura de la Universidad de Sonora in Hermosillo and continued his education at La Esmeralda, Mexico’s National School of Art. With more than 60 solo exhibitions to his name across Baja California, California, Arizona, and Panama, he remains one of the most influential artists in the region.
The exhibition was made possible by Selwick’s grandson, Nissim Ouzan, an emerging artist in his own right and the son of the late Calexico Mayor David Ouzan.
“My grandfather always instilled culture in us, especially through his relationship with Coronado Ortega. Growing up surrounded by real, powerful works of art influenced the path I’m on today,” Ouzan said.
Selwick’s journey to the Imperial Valley was shaped by resilience and a commitment to building a better future. Orphaned at a young age, he left the orphanage at 18 and enlisted in the military, serving a tour in Italy. After his service, he returned to the United States and pursued a degree in pharmaceutics at the University of Arizona. His career path eventually led him to the Imperial Valley, where he developed a deep appreciation for the culture and community of Mexicali and Calexico. It was there that he met artist Carlos Coronado Ortega, marking the beginning of a lifelong friendship and artistic collaboration.
According to Ouzan, Selwick encountered the artist while Coronado Ortega was working on a mural at Hotel Lucerna in Mexicali in the late 1960s. “My grandfather went to Lucerna and saw Coronado painting. He was fascinated. He invited him to come to Calexico and commissioned his first mural—part of which is now here in this gallery.”
The friendship between the two men blossomed over the decades. “They stayed in touch throughout their lifetime. At first, my grandfather would commission specific pieces, but over time he trusted Coronado’s vision and just visited his studio to collect new works.”
Beyond his passion for the arts, Arturo Selwick left a legacy of quiet philanthropy and civic engagement. “He helped many nonprofits and schools in Calexico,” Ouzan said. “He always taught us that giving should come from the heart—you don’t need to publicize it.” Selwick also served on the city’s Planning Commission and was remembered fondly as “the man on the bike,” choosing to ride his bicycle to work each day.
Now an artist himself, Ouzan credits both his grandfather and his father for nurturing his creative spirit. “I’ve been painting since I was a kid,” he said. “I started professionally about ten years ago, and being surrounded by my grandfather’s collection played a huge part in that. My father always pushed me to follow what I truly love.”
The exhibition will be open Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., April 17 through May 1.