CAE will open its first exhibition of 2026 on January 8 with a dynamic new partnership: a showcase featuring thirty artists from the Colorado South Asian Artists Group (C-SAAG) entitled “Grounded.” The show will feature around seventy works exploring culture, storytelling, heritage, identity, and contemporary artistic practice. The exhibition runs January 8 through February 7 at CAE with support from LIV Sotheby’s and the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District.

An opening reception will be held on Thursday, January 8 from 4 to 7 pm. Many of the participating artists will be present to share insights into their work and process. On the final day of the exhibition, Saturday, February 7, visitors will be invited to return for an afternoon artist talk in the gallery.

One of the exhibition’s highlights will be a full-scale interactive swing installation by artist Renluka Maharaj titled “To Rest Your Weary Soul.” The swing and frame are decorated with vines, ribbons, and flowers and will be placed on the CAE gallery stage for visitors to sit, enjoy, and photograph.

Maharaj says the piece is rooted in memory.

“Ever since I was a little girl, a swing is my safe space,” she says. “Whether hanging from a tree in Trinidad or a playground in Brooklyn. I get lost in childhood memories, swinging low and high until I can feel my stomach in my throat. It’s a place for joy.”

The opening reception will also feature a live Kolam drawing installation by exhibiting artist and C-SAAG founder, Bala Thiagarajan. Kolam is a traditional floor drawing practice from South India, created with rice powder in a pattern of dots and lines. The designs are drawn daily by millions of Tamil women around the world as grounding rituals that encourage focus, mindfulness, and connection to cultural heritage. The ephemeral nature of Kolam reflects cyclical rhythms of life: temporary artworks that celebrate pattern, repetition, dedication, and calm.

This exhibition marks an important collaboration between CAE and Colorado’s expanding South Asian arts community. The works on display will include painting, print, sculpture, textiles, photography, installation, and mixed media. Together, the pieces offer a rich survey of artistic expression across generations and traditions.