'Living the Tradition: Contemporary Hispanic Crafts from the Taylor Museum Collection' on View at the Kennedy Museum of Art

Contact: Clair Carpenter at the Kennedy Museum of Art, (740) 593-0955

Editors: Excellent photo opportunities exist on Saturday afternoons between 1 and 4 PM. Images can be downloaded at: www.ohiou.edu/news/pix/VIRGIN.JPG "Virgin of the Apocalypse" by Catherine Robles-Shaw, www.ohiou.edu/news/pix/GUADELOUPE.JPG "Our Lady of Guadalupe" by Eulogio and Zoriada Ortega, www.ohiou.edu/news/pix/DONA.JPG "La Dona Sebastiana" (death cart) by Nicholas Herrera

ATHENS, Ohio (October 13, 2000) -- The Kennedy Museum of Art, Ohio University, announces the opening of "Living the Tradition: Contemporary Hispanic Crafts from the Taylor Museum Collection" organized by the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. The exhibit will be on display Oct. 21 through Nov. 26.

A reception in celebration of the exhibit will be held Oct. 31 beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Kennedy Museum. There will be Latin music and refreshments will be served. Admission to the reception is free and open to the public. The Bobcat Express will be providing a shuttle service that will stop at Nelson Dining Hall, Shively Hall, Baker Center and Grosevnor Hall starting at 6 p.m. and returning every 20 minutes.

During the past five years, The Taylor Museum has dedicated considerable resources to acquiring contemporary Hispanic crafts from northern New Mexico and Southern Colorado. The focus of the collection is traditional Hispanic folk art produced in the Southwest during the 20th century. In addition, there is an introductory section focusing on the revival artists of the early 20th century.

There is also a section on the Virgin of Guadalupe, a sacred symbol and popular icon of Latino culture. The display traces the sources and history of the image in Mexico, possible connections to Spain and the Mexican Indian mythology, and the role of the image in the evolution of a Mexican national identity.

The exhibit includes many award-winning contemporary artists who are some of the most important figures in the Hispanic art community. Many of these artists have devoted extensive research and study to the traditional Hispanic art designs and processes and are also involved in restoring traditional artwork as well as creating their own.

The works include santos, weaving, colcha embroidery, straw applique, tinwork, and silver. Santos are depictions of religious figures which are made in two forms: bultos, statues made from wood or bronze, and retablos, paintings on wood or tin. Artists who make santos are called santeros, or "saint makers."

The art blends a strong devotion to Hispanic heritage, religion, and family with contemporary culture. The end product is strong in both innovation and tradition. Catherine Robles-Shaw, whose santo "The Virgin of the Apocalypse" will be on view, says of her work, "As a santera I hope to preserve some of the unique traditions of my Hispanic culture. Retablos are the storytellers of my ancestors. They are a natural extension of the beauty and simplicity of our Spanish lives."

The Ohio Arts Council provided partial funding for this exhibit to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans.

Also on view is the Education Gallery, featuring selections from the Southwest Native American Collection, and the exhibit "Woven Vessels: Chauncey Elementary Fifth Grade," both of which are supported in part by the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation.

The Kennedy Museum of Art is located in Lin Hall, The Ridges. Regular gallery hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, from 12-5 p.m.; Thursday from 12-8 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday from 1-5 p.m. Admission and parking are free to the public.

The Bobcat Express is now available free of charge for student museum patrons, stopping at The Ridges every half-hour. The shuttle also stops at Peden Stadium, The Ping Center, The Oasis, Grosvenor Hall, Baker Center, and The Convocation Center.