Heart Burning by Ariana Gonzales at the Center for Colorado Women’s History Make sure to stop by the Center for Colorado Women’s History Museum (CCWH) to check out Athena Project artist Ariana “Nani” Gonzales’ new art installation – Heart Burning! Commissioned by CCWH and curated by Athena Project two years in a row, Heart Burning tells the story of Colorado women fighting for the right to vote through resilience, communication, and community. Ariana Gonzales is a queer, Hispanic artist from Colorado. She graduated from Metropolitan State University of Denver in 2021 with a BA in History and a minor in Industrial Design. Inspired by contemporary artists and the city of Denver, Ariana produced Genesis for the Center for Colorado Women’s History in 2025. Ariana’s art is influenced by her values of history, community, and experiences. She shares her love for art history with her husband and their three cats. Don’t miss Heart Burning as part of the Center for Colorado Women’s History’s Votes and Dreams Exhibit – on display from April 3rd, 2026 to March 31st, 2027! About Votes and Dreams Votes and Dreams: At the Ballot and Beyond explores how Colorado women exercise their hard-won right to vote and examines the barriers faced by women who were denied suffrage. Visitors to Votes and Dreams will experience a fascinating mix of artifacts, including an outfit worn by a woman to the polls, the ballot box in which she placed her ballot in the 1890’s, and the stories of early women leaders who inspired generations of visionaries, voters, and change-makers. Artist’s Statement – Genesis tells the story of the human experience through her adornments. All references are historical, and her story is one of many. The corsets exhibited inside the museum inspired my vision for her exposed ribcage overflowing with life. Her poppies are the memories of those who came before her. Her skirt is beaded with spirals sharing a journey inward while the butterflies symbolize her power to overcome adversity. The moon eclipsing the sun within the crown represents the divine union of feminine and masculine energies, a sign of wholeness and self-actualization. Finally, the tree of life offers us perspective on the miracles of existence. Ariana Gonzales Ariana Gonzales is a queer, Hispanic artist from Colorado. She graduated from Metropolitan State University of Denver in 2021 with a BA in History and a minor in Industrial Design. Inspired by contemporary artists and the city of Denver, Ariana produced Genesis for the Center for Colorado Women’s History in 2025. Ariana’s art is influenced by her values of history, community, and experiences. She shares her love for art history with her husband and their three cats. facebookinstagram
