Visual arts celebrate Latino culture, history in Holland, Michigan

Celebrate Latino culture and history through the arts!

The seventh annual Tulipanes Latino Art and Film Festival, being held August 30-September 2, 2007, will feature variety of art venues throughout the Labor Day weekend in Downtown Holland, Michigan. Tulipanes showcases the Latino culture through art, music, film, dance, food, y más.

The 2007 Tulipanes event will have a special focus on culture through visual arts. Two exhibitions at the Holland Area Arts Council will take place: El Arte Popular Mexicano: Folk Art of México and Hispanic Art: Tradition and Innovation.
 

The exhibitions open Friday, August 31 at 2pm and continue through Sunday, September 2.  El Arte Popular Mexicano: Folk Art of México includes works that reflect the blending of Spanish and Indigenous cultures, such as retablos, ex-votos and the colorful masks used in traditional dances.  There will also be striking bead work and yarn painting by Huichol Indians and contemporary expressions such as Mata Ortiz ceramics.

Hispanic Art: Tradition and Innovation will feature examples of works of great Mexican muralists Diego Rivera and Jose Orozco.  Both created a heroic vision of the lives and aspirations of the Mexican people. Along with striking examples of their works are those of Latino artists who carry on their legacy today. Included are examples of Mexican folk art which provided inspiration for many of these arts.
 

On Saturday, September 1 from 10am-7pm, Tulipanes will feature a Fine Art Fair in the heard of Downtown Holland in Centennial Park. Festival attendees are encouraged to browse works of art from contemporary to abstract to realist to classical.  All artwork, which will be available for purchase, showcases a snapshot of Latino culture either through the eye of the artist or as the subject matter.

Throughout the day on Saturday, September 1, Latino artist Erick Pichardo will once again be encouraging children to participate in a giant Children’s Mural at the Centennial Park Gazebo. Pichardo will be working with children to create a work of art which will be on display for next year’s Festival.  Children will have the opportunity to learn some interesting painting techniques that may just bring out the Picassos in many of them. Children of all ages are invited to participate.

Tulipanes seeks to provide an international format for artistic expressions, promoting a positive image of Latino youth, families, senior citizens, and professionals. This goal is achieved through highlighting success stories in a fun, educational setting.

For a complete list of Tulipanes events, visit www.tulipanes.org.