Casa de Unidad (Unity House), southeast Michigan's Latino cultural center, in partnership with The Scarab Club of Detroit, the Institute of the Mexicans in Michigan and Ohio (IMMO), and the Consulate of Mexico, celebrated the opening of Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) exhibit and celebratory fundraiser, sponsored in part by Bank One and MASCO Corporation Foundation. The Scarab Club hosted an the artists‚ reception and opening benefit on Saturday, October 9.
Featuring an exhibit by Mexican and Michigan Latino artists, with a Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) altar by artist Martha Chapa (www.marthachapa.com) of Mexico City, festivities will include canapés and tapas significant to this most holy of holidays in the Mexican culture, a cash bar, live music, and a silent auction. In addition to being an artist, Ms. Chapa is a known and respected restaurateur and author, and will supervise the preparation of the evening‚s food. Some of the Mexican & Latino artists that participate in this show are:
Laura Castanedo, Tecate, BC, Mexico
Castanedo has been a Premiere Portfolio artist at absolutearts.com since October of 2003. View more of her work at www.absolutearts.com/lauracastanedo/
Alicia Miner, Monterrey, NL, Mexico
Alicia Villarreal, Saltillo, COAH, Mexico
Andrea Lopez, Mexico DF, Mexico
Catalina Ochoa, León, GTO, Mexico
Cristabel, Guadalajara, JAL, Mexico
Daniela Montemayor, Monterrey, NL, Mexico
David Sefami, Mexico DF, Mexico
Erick Pichardo, Grand Rapids, MI
Felipe Heredia, Texcoco, State of Mexico, Mexico
Guillermo Munro, Puerto Peñasco, SON, Mexico
Ingrid Rosas, Leon, GTO, Mexico
Jesus Figueroa, Grand Rapids, MI
Marcela Welsh, Monterrey, NL, Mexico
El Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a hybrid of pre-colonial native Mexican and Spanish Catholic practices, combining the solemnity of a holy day with the levity of a party, while maintaining a strong sense of intimacy within family and community. As a means to honor the departed, gravesites and ofrendas (altars) are specially decorated to embody that which was most enjoyed by the deceased during his/her life.
The exhibit remains open to the public Sunday, October 10, through Saturday, November 13, 2004. Artist Gerardo Macias Jr (www.gerardomacias.net), Executive Director of IMMO and coordinator of the Consulate of Mexico‚s Community Affairs department, is the exhibit‚s curator. Casa de Unidad will conduct Saturday workshops and presentations about Dia de Los Muertos.
Established in1981, Casa de Unidad is a not-for profit organization with a mission to provide the best available resources and programs that discover, develop, celebrate, and advance the Hispanic/Latino arts.
The IMMO works to enhance cultural and social opportunities for Mexican nationals and their families. The Consulate of Mexico, thru its community affairs department, the Institute of the Mexicans Abroad (IME, www.sre.gob.mx/ime) offers a variety of services, including educational, health, and investment programs.
Detroit's historic Scarab Club has been dedicated to serving the public and Michigan artists of all disciplines for the past century. The Club offers classes, lectures, exhibitions, special events, and tours. Galleries are open to the public from Noon to 5:00 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday.
The Scarab Club is located at the northeast corner of John R and Farnsworth, just east of the Detroit Institute of Arts. Lighted parking is available in a secure lot behind the building.
IMAGE
Laura Castanedo
Con El Deseo De Una Pequena Muerte
2004
Painting Acrylic
100 x 100 x 10 cm
Related Links: