NOTE: This obituary has been reprinted from Mt. Olivet Cemetery/ Archdiocese of Denver Mortuary
The death of iconic Mexican folklorist Rita Wallace de Flores on April 27 in Denver marks the end of an era for the Chicano/Mexicano Arts Community of Denver. Rita was considered by many to be Denver’s first lady of Mexican folk art, story and dance.
Her monumental contributions to Colorado’s Mexican folklore, arts, and dance culture have been celebrated for over 40 years statewide. Rita’s exhibitions have been showcased in such places as the Denver Art Museum, Denver Museum of Nature and Science, El Pueblo History Museum, the MSU Denver Center for Visual Arts, and more.
Rita was born April 15, 1937, in Galeana, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, to Eulogio Flores Aguirre and Rita Melendez de Flores. Her father was a hydrological engineer employed by the government to travel to the rural areas of Mexico and establish potable water as well as develop new agricultural areas. Often he took Rita and her brothers with him. During that time Rita was able to mingle with the locals and learn their way of life.
The family moved to Saltillo, Mexico, when she was eight years old, and where she lived until she was married. She grew up in a home surrounded by talented family members who taught her the many folk arts of Mexico. She studied for many hours in the church convents and learned much of their religious embroidery techniques.
When she was eleven, her father’s brother came for a visit and left four of his five children at the house while he went on a business trip. During this trip, his car went off the road and his baby and wife we killed. Because her uncle was disabled, the surviving children became part of Rita’s family — 14 children in total. Soon after, her mother’s sisters, Tia Lilia and Tia Josafina, with her seven children, also came to live at the house. A daughter of Tia Dora and two paternal brothers followed later. Rita was the oldest girl and had many responsibilities within the large household.
When Rita was old enough to help out, she got a job at the local department store, the PH (‘pay ah chay’). She worked there for 13 years, then she traveled to several states selling ‘Sunbeam Osterizers’ (blenders), and Singer Sewing Machines. She also worked as an administrator at a ranch in Chihuahua.
She then spent her formative years traveling throughout Mexico studying traditional folk art with local indigenous communities. Rita danced with the prestigious Escuela Nacional de Bellas Artes in Mexico City, where she performed with their Coahuila dance troupe. She was renowned in Mexico as a master artist for her papier mâché, papel picado, folk dancing, and especially for her bordado magico (magic embroidery).
From her early days when she was in elementary school, Rita loved to dance! She was fortunate to have La Famosa Senora Carmen Weber as her teacher. As an adult, she also joined with the Coahuilian Mexican Ballet de Folklorico, one of each of the 32 states in Mexico. The main folkloric group was centralized under the coordination of Amalia Hernandez, the founder of Ballet Folklórico de México, in Mexico City. La Senora Hernandez held a competition to see which state would be sent to Mexico City to study with her. Rita’s group was the runner-up choice and went on to study with Senora Hernandez. They continued to dance as a group of 39 for twelve more years in Northern Mexico.
In 1980, she married John Herbert Wallace, Jr., a teacher from Denver, Colorado, and resumed her artistic endeavors in her newly adopted home. Over the years Rita was honored with numerous awards for her work with the community, including:
- The 1999 Governor’s Heritage Award
- Univision “Pillar of the Community”
- Excellent Teacher Award from the Mizel Museum of the Judaica
- Lena Archuleta Community Service Award
- CHAC Life Work Achievement Award
- SCFD Rex Morgan Award
- XUPANTLA “Cihuatoanii” Leadership Award
- Centro Juan Diego Madrina Award
- Metro State Colorado Folk Arts Counsel Corn Mother Award
- Latinas Honoring Latinas Companera Award
She was the dance director of Teatro Latina de Colorado and consultant / choreographer for Jeanette Trujillo of Fiesta, Colorado. Her memories and stories were also published as part of the Return of the Corn Mothers Project and the Tummy Tales book series, all of which are part of the Denver Public Library Western History Collection.
In 2020, the Wallace family donated her massive collection of tapestries and textiles to History Colorado with the help of the Metropolitan State University’s Denver Chicana/o Studies Department Journey Through Our Heritage program and the Chicano Humanities Arts Council. “This woman created a legacy for thousands upon thousands in our Latinx community. Her impact as an artist and educator cannot be stressed enough.” stated Chicano Humanities Arts Council Executive Director Brenda Gurule.
In 2022, she came out of retirement to work with local celebrity artist Cal Duran to create a new installation for Dia de Los Muertos at History Colorado and the Return of the Corn Mothers 2022 exhibition. “I was always enthralled by Rita’s artwork,” said Cal Duran.
“I was only 17 years old when I first saw her altars in 2005 at the Chicano Humanities Art Council Gallery. I knew she was one of the artists who helped establish this holiday here long before it was popular. To me, she was a visionary, paving the way for other artists in Colorado. Her knowledge of the spiritual significance of this holiday and her groundbreaking work in the ’80s was a catalyst that laid the groundwork for all of us.”
“She was, and continues to be, one of the most important cultural inspirations in our community. It was my honor and privilege to have been her friend for over 35 years. Her life was a shining example of kindness, love, and respect. She embraced the diversity of all people and understood the bigger picture. For her there was beauty in all.” said Jeanette Trujillo of Fiesta, Colorado.
Rita is survived by her devoted spouse of 45 years, John H. Wallace, Jr. as well as her children — Chris, Lisa, Steven, and Kenny. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, as well as her extended family in Mexico.
A mass for Wallace de Flores will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, May 16, at Mount Olivet Cemetery, 12801 W. 44th Avenue, Wheat Ridge, Colorado 80033 . A celebratory reception will follow from 3:30 to 6 p.m. at the LUMC Genesis Gallery, 1390 Brentwood in Lakewood.