San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts

is pleased to announce the opening of 3 new exhibits on Thursday, September 16, all centered on the people and culture of Mexico..

One aspect of Viva México will focus on the sacred traditions and spiritual heritage of the Mexican people. In the museum’s large gallery on the 3rd floor, two historically significant paintings by Mexican artist Cristóbal de Villalpando will be on display. On loan from a private collector, Esther Siegfried of Feldmeilen, Switzerland, these large paintings are part of a series that depict the life of St. Francis of Assisi. They were commissioned for the city of Guatemala (today’s Antigua, Guatemala). The works were hung in place in 1695 and totaled 49 canvasses, each with a carved and gilded frame. Since then the works have been through numerous earthquakes and changes of location, which took their toll on the paintings. Only 17 of the original 49 canvasses are known to have survived, and the 2 paintings on display in San Angelo are among those few. Pieces from the museum’s collection will also be part of this section of the exhibition.

The second gallery on the third floor of the museum will explore the history of the Mexican Revolution through photographs and artifacts from that time period. The Mexican Revolution began in 1910 when Francisco I. Madero attempted to overthrown the rule of dictator Porforio Diaz. This was a time of great social upheaval. It was also a time when the well-know folk heroes, Pancho Villa in the north and Emiliano Zapata in the south, roused the populace into overthrowing Diaz. The story of Pancho Villa is of particular interest to the people of West Texas because of his raid on the New Mexico town of Columbus in 1916. An intense maelstrom of indigenous pride, left leaning politics, danger, hope and disillusionment, the revolution went through many twists and turns and though historians disagree when it actually ended, it is commonly accepted to have reached an end with the election in 1920 of Alvaro Obregón as president. The photographs and artifacts are on loan from the West Texas Collection at Porter Henderson Library at Angelo State University.

The third part of the exhibit will feature American traditions derived from Mexico, such as the influence on our language and the many culinary dishes from South of the border that are now found in mainstream American cuisine. Drawing upon the museum’s collection, numerous works that derive their artistic inspiration from Mexico will be on display and a look at the history of  the sheep shearing industry which was so integral to the history of San Angelo will also be part of this exhibit. Our shared history will be explored through artifacts, photographs, paintings, travel brochures and postcards, many on loan from the West Texas Collection. Included will be the Ortiz family bell, which was originally located at the Ortiz plaza on Avenue N and used to notify everyone about special events and fiestas.

Viva México will remain on display at the art museum through October 24th.