Colmenero is noted for his commemorative sculptures of Mexico's Day of the Dead holiday and is "one the best Day of the Dead artists I have ever met," according to Carol Edison, director of the Utah Arts Council's Folk Arts program. "His work is incredible."

Colmenero was arrested in late September after he failed to appear for an April 25 hearing related to an immigration judge's denial of his application for permanent-resident status. He was denied the status because of a 1995 conviction for possession of marijuana, when Colmenero was 19 years old. Colmenero said he did not receive notification of the hearing.

Lawyers filed an emergency motion to reopen the case, which was denied, and then an appeal of deportation. When Colmenero was given the choice of remaining in jail while the appeal was pending or going back to Mexico, he chose to return to his family's home in Cuahtemoc, Chihua- hua.

"This whole process has been humiliating for him," says his wife, painter Marla Lepe-Colmenero. "I told him I didn't want his artistic spirit to be squashed [in jail]."

Colmenero's artworks are part of the state's permanent collection of folk art, and he has exhibited at the Living Traditions Festival, as well as the Utah and Park City arts festivals. He has lived in the United States for 12 years and is married to a U.S. citizen.

On Tuesday, family and friends will host a fundraiser at a Salt Lake City gallery for expenses for Colmenero, who hopes to continue creating art, while in Mexico, for an upcoming exhibit at Westminster College and other shows.

The fundraiser will be from 5 to 9:30 p.m. at the gallery at 440 W. 900 South, and will include a silent auction and music.

For more information, call 415-350-7217.