The Mexico in Minneapolis Folk Arts Residency amplifies and elevates the presence and visibility of Mexican identity, spirituality, values and perspectives as practiced through folk art traditions. It connects Mexican-American diasporas, living and working in Minneapolis to heritage, skills and knowledge through mentorships, workshops, educational activities and public events.
In its second year, the 2022 Folk Arts Residency welcomes two artists from Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico; David Sánchez Beltrán and Lucero Paniagua Ortuño, from May 29 to June 7 and features workshops with Minnesota Latinx artists, youth workshops, and a public reception on Thursday, June 2, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Midtown Global Market.
Intercambio de artes populares de México en Minneapolis, (Mexico in Minneapolis Folk Arts Residency) amplifica y eleva la presencia y visibilidad de la identidad, la espiritualidad, las perspectivas y los valores mexicanos de acuerdo con la práctica de las tradiciones del arte popular. Conecta a la diáspora mexicoamericana que vive y trabaja en Minneapolis con la herencia, las habilidades y el conocimiento a través de tutorías, talleres, actividades educativas y eventos públicos.
En su segundo año, el intercambio de artes populares 2022 da la bienvenida a dos artistas de Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico; David Sánchez Beltrán y Lucero Paniagua Ortuño, del 29 de mayo al 7 de junio, y presenta talleres con artistas latinx de Minnesota, talleres para jóvenes y una recepción pública el jueves 2 de junio, de 5:00 pm a 7:00 pm en el Midtown Global Market.
Mexican Artists
David Sánchez Beltrán
David Sánchez Beltrán
David Sánchez Beltrán was born in Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico. He earned his Bachelor of Visual Arts degree from Centro Morelense de las Artes (CMA; Morelos Center for the Arts) in 2013.
In 2016 Sánchez Beltrán began his collaboration with the Centro Cultural Infantil La Vecindad, a children's cultural center founded in 1995 with a mission to introduce children to the visual arts, music, dance, and theater in a neighborhood of Cuernavaca, the capital of Morelos. He proposed a workshop on how to make jaguar masks from recycled materials. The popularity of this workshop grew into a cultural project extending its reach to migrant child laborers working with their families harvesting sugar cane in the municipality of Xochitepec, Morelos. In 2017, the workshop was extended to the city of Miacatlán, Moreles, for the children and adolescents from the nearby lake and town of the same name, Laguna del Rodeo.
In 2019, Sanchez Beltrán became the Coordinator of La Vecindad. He began to teach drawing and painting classes to young girls, boys and teens living in state shelters within the Sistema Nacional para el Desarrollo Integral de la Familia (DIF; National System for the Comprehensive Development of the Family). Concurrently he produced a line of low and high temperature ceramic objects called Abbure Tecuani (Brother Jaguar) in collaboration with his siblings, María Isabel, and Luis Fernando. Ceramics, along with graphic and pictorial techniques allow Sanchez Beltrán other routes of representation.
Sánchez Beltrán explores the relationships between the past and the present, notably through traditions such as the Danza de los Tecuanes – the dance of the jaguars, which coexists with characteristics of contemporary society. This intersectionality is what captures his imagination, the quality of memory which can be altered but not erased. His constant search for identity, the meaning of belonging, and reviewing his own familial history as a way of connecting with his origins, his family, and the land.
David Sánchez Beltrán nació en Cuernavaca, Morelos, México. Recibió su título de Licenciado en Artes Visuales de El Centro Morelense de las Artes (CMA) en 2013.
Lucero Paniagua Ortuño
Lucero Paniagua Ortuño
Lucero Paniagua Ortuño was born in Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico. She received her Bachelor of Visual Arts degree from El Centro Morelense de las Artes (CMA; Morelos Center for the Arts) in 2017.
Paniagua Ortuño’s work delves deep into the extraction of pigments, dyes and the traditional techniques of the pre-Hispanic colonial era and the ways in which they are used by master craftsmen. Her research has focused primarily on practices within the states of Michoacán, Oaxaca, and Morelos. She explores colors, fibers and supports, working in a pictorial way and taking up implicit historical symbolisms in each pigment. Paniagua Ortuño creates pigments and dyes extracted from; achiote (achiote); azafrán (saffron); cempaxúchitl (marigold); grana cochinilla (cochineal); curcuma (turmeric); muicle (honeysuckle); jamaica (hibiscus); palo de brasil (brazilwood), mixed with a vegetable and mineral mordent fixative and other color binders.
While a senior at CMA, Paniagua Ortuño initiated research on organic pigments informed by Mexican traditions and exhibited her series “Orgánico” (Organic) at the Museo de la Ciudad de Cuernavaca (MuCIC; Cuernavaca City Museum). In 2017, she participated in the 10th Biennial of the Pacific with her series entitled, “Origen” (Origin) exhibited in Chilpancingo, Acapulco and Taxco de Alarcón, located in the state of Guerrero, Mexico. Her 2019 solo exhibition, entitled “Transmutaciones” (Transmutations) brought together research, exploration and pictorial executions incorporating dye and pigment extractions from cochineal; palo de brasil; achiote; turmeric; beet; and Mexican honeysuckle on paper, wood, and cloth.
In 2018, Paniagua Ortuño held a workshop for children in Zitácuaro, Michoacán, on how to use knowledge through painting and collective memory based on cave paintings discovered near her home. In 2019 she conducted a workshop at La Casona Spencer Museum in Cuernavaca, on pigments and dyes in the plastic arts and the pre-Hispanic and colonial knowledge on extractions and how they may be applied in the arts.
Lucero Paniagua Ortuño nació en Cuernavaca, Morelos, México. Recibió su título de Licenciada en Artes Visuales de El Centro Morelense de las Artes (CMA) en 2017.
Cándida González
Cándida González
Cándida González (they/them) is an artist, healer, teacher, organizer and brujx. A queer, non-binary mixed Puerto Rican born in South Minneapolis, they approach their work by centering at the intersection of art, activism, healing, and personal/community empowerment. They are deeply invested in the concept of using art and community design as tools to wage love and healing. Currently González facilitates Making it Public workshops for Forecast Public Art. The workshops are designed for new and emerging artists of any discipline who want to gain knowledge about the nuts and bolts of public art and placemaking.
González also participates in local arts and healing initiatives and creates mixed-media jewelry/talismans under the name Las Ranas Jewelry.
Cándida González (elle) es artista, curandere, maestre, organizadore y brujx. Puerto Riqueñe de género cuir, no binario, nacide en el sur de Minneapolis, su trabajo se ubica en la intersección de arte, activismo, curanderismo y empoderamiento personal/comunitario. Elle están profundamente comprometides con el concepto de usar el arte y el diseño comunitario como herramientas para promover el amor y el curanderismo. En la actualidad, González facilita los talleres de Making it Public para Forecast Public Art. Los talleres están diseñados para artistas nuevos y emergentes de cualquier disciplina, que quieran adquirir conocimientos de los aspectos prácticos del arte público y de la planificación, el diseño y la gestión de espacios públicos (también conocido como placemaking).
González también participa en iniciativas locales de arte y curación, y crea joyas/talismanes de medios combinados, bajo el nombre de Las Ranas Jewelry.
Claudia Valentino
Claudia Valentino
Claudia Valentino is a full-time muralist, mosaicist, and painter. She is the founder and creative director of COPLA-Community Murals, a female-owned community arts studio. COPLA is comprised of highly skilled muralists, with a mission to help clients hire Latinx and other artists who are underrepresented in the creative economy. Valentino fosters projects that bring together people who thrive in inclusive, multicultural, and enriching team environments.
Valentino was one of ten artists who contributed her artistic talents to the 2019 Power of Vision: Mural on the Ave. The Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) in partnership with Hope Community–worked with Project for Pride in Living (PPL) to create a 4,000 square foot mural on Franklin Ave. The aim was to use art as a tool for building community, empathy, and compassion.
The daughter of parents who were exiled by dictatorships in South America, Valentino was born in Mexico, grew up in Argentina and Chile, and has been living in the United States for over a decade.
Claudia Valentino es muralista, mosaiquista y pintora dedicada a tiempo completo al arte. Es la fundadora y directora creativa de COPLA-Community Murals, un estudio de arte comunitario propiedad de mujeres. COPLA está conformada por muralistas altamente calificados, con la misión de ayudar a los clientes a contratar Latinx y otros artistas que están poco representados en la economía creativa. Valentino fomenta proyectos que reúnen a personas que prosperan en entornos de equipo inclusivos, multiculturales y enriquecedores.
Valentino fue una de las diez artistas que contribuyeron con su talento artístico al proyecto Power of Vision: Mural on the Ave de 2019. El Minneapolis Institute of Arts (Mia), en asociación con Hope Community, trabajó con Project for Pride in Living (PPL) para crear un mural de 4,000 pies cuadrados en Franklin Ave. El objetivo era usar el arte como una herramienta para desarrollar el sentido de comunidad, empatía y compasión.
Hija de padres exiliados por las dictaduras que imperaron en América del Sur, Valentino nació en México, se crió en Argentina y Chile, y vive en los Estados Unidos desde hace más de una década.
Monica Vega
Monica Vega
Mónica Vega is a multimedia artist, sculptor, and painter. Her work is profoundly connected to her Mexican roots and influenced by the popular art of Mexico, notably el Día de los Muertos or Day of the Dead, a Mexican tradition to honor and remember ancestors and loved ones via home and/or public ofrendas (offerings or altars). The holiday is observed on the first and second day of November, and celebrated in Mexico, throughout Latin America and the United States. Vega’s work is informed by the rich color palettes, textures, flowers, symbols, and motifs that make up the visual themes of the holiday. Originally from Mexico City, but with deep ties and memories to the state of Michoacán, she channels all her recollections of a holiday at once sublime and spectacular into her expansive altars.
Vega’s Day of the Dead altars have been exhibited at Centro Tyrone Guzman, Minneapolis Institute of Arts, MN Historical Society, and Weisman Art Museum. Her work is recognized through cultural events on Lake Street, Midtown Global Market, Mercado Central, and other commercial establishments.
Mónica Vega es una artista de multimedios, escultora y pintora. Su trabajo está profundamente conectado con sus raíces mexicanas e influenciado por el arte popular de México, en particular el Día de los Muertos, una tradición mexicana para honrar y recordar a los antepasados y seres queridos a través de ofrendas en la casa o públicas (ofrendas o altares). Esta festividad se observa el 1 y 2 de noviembre y se celebra en México, Latinoamérica y Estados Unidos. El trabajo de Vega se basa en paletas de colores intensos, texturas, flores, símbolos y motivos que conforman los temas visuales de la festividad. Originaria de la Ciudad de México, pero con profundos lazos y recuerdos del estado de Michoacán, Vega canaliza simultáneamente todos sus recuerdos de una festividad sublime y espectacular en sus amplios altares.
Los altares del Día de Muertos de Vega se han exhibido en el Centro Tyrone Guzman, en el Minneapolis Institute of Arts (Mia), Minnesota Historical Society, y en Weisman Art Museum. Su trabajo ha sido ampliamente reconocido en eventos culturales en Lake Street, Midtown Global Market, Mercado Central y otros establecimientos comerciales.
Ivonne Yáñez
Ivonne Yáñez
Ivonne Yáñez is an interdisciplinary artist and fashion designer from México City. Currently, she is studying in the Master of Fine Arts Program at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, where she is a graduate assistant in the Arts Entrepreneurship program and the class, Furniture: Textile and Surface. Her work has been exhibited at Fresh Eye Gallery, Gallery 148, and Gamut Gallery, all in Minneapolis, MN. From 2018 – 2020, her work was focused in fashion media and visual merchandising in Mexico City. She has a bachelor’s degree in fashion design from both the Universidad del Valle de México, México City, and from the Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti, in Milan. Her work is dedicated to creating immersive installations.
Ivonne Yáñez es una artista interdisciplinaria y diseñadora de moda de la Ciudad de México. Actualmente, ella está estudiando en el Programa de Maestría en Bellas Artes en Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD), donde es asistente de posgrado en el programa Arts Entrepreneurship y la clase, Furniture: Textile and Surface. Su trabajo ha sido expuesto en Fresh Eye Gallery, Gallery 148 y Gamut Gallery, ubicadadas en Minneapolis, MN. De 2018 a 2020, su trabajo se centró en los medios de la moda y visual merchandising en la Ciudad de México. Ella es licenciada en diseño de modas de la Universidad del Valle de México en la Ciudad de México, y de la Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti, en Milán. Su trabajo está dedicado a la creación de instalaciones inmersivas.
Midtown Global Market
We have stopped accepting RSVP’s for this event, but all are still welcome to attend. Gift cards will be distributed to RSVP guests only.
Welcome Lake Street Community Reception for David Sánchez Beltran and Lucero Paniagua Ortuño
The public is invited to meet David and Lucero at a free, welcome reception at the Midtown Global Market on Thursday, June 2, 2022.
This event will feature an on-stage conversation between the artists and Alejandra Peña Gutiérrez, the new director of the Weisman Art Museum of the University of Minnesota. Also in attendance will be the four selected Minnesota-Latinx artists; Cándida González and Claudia Valentino who will be apprenticing with David Sánchez Beltran, while Monica Vega and Ivonne Yáñez will be apprenticing with Lucero Paniagua Ortuño during their residencies.
Thursday, June 2, 2022 | 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm | On-stage conversation begins at 6:00 pm
Midtown Global Market | 920 E. Lake Street | Minneapolis, MN
Although we have stopped accepting RSVP’s for this event, all are still welcome to attend. Gift cards will be distributed to RSVP guests only.
El público está invitado a conocer a David y Lucero en una recepción de bienvenida gratuita en el Midtown Global Market el jueves 2 de Junio de 5:00 pm a 7:00 pm. Programa a las 6:00 pm. Aunque hemos dejado de aceptar RSVP's para este evento, todos son bienvenidos a asistir. Se distribuirán tarjetas de regalo a los invitados que confirmaron su asistencia.
Este evento contará con una conversación en el escenario entre los artistas y Alejandra Peña Gutiérrez, la nueva directora del Weisman Art Museum. También asistirán los cuatro artistas seleccionados de Minnesota-Latinx; Cándida González y Claudia Valentino quienes estarán aprendiendo con David Sánchez Beltrán, mientras que Mónica Vega y Ivonne Yáñez estarán aprendiendo con Lucero Paniagua Ortuño durante sus residencias.
Alejandra Peña Gutiérrez
Alejandra Peña Gutiérrez, Director of the Weisman Art Museum
Alejandra Peña Gutiérrez has been working for 30 years as a visual arts and museum professional. Her career started in Mexico City where she worked at various museums before she became director of the Museo del Palacio de Bellas Artes. She was General Deputy Director of the National Institute of Fine Arts in Mexico before she moved to Puerto Rico to work at the Museo de Arte de Ponce, where she was the director from 2013 to 2021. She is currently the director of the Weisman Art Museum of the University of Minnesota.
Alejandra Peña Gutiérrez ha trabajado por 30 años como profesional de las artes visuales y los museos. Su carrera inició en la Ciudad de México en donde trabajó en varios museos antes de convertirse en directora del Museo del Palacio de Bellas Artes. Ella era subdirectora General del Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes de México antes de mudarse a Puerto Rico en donde trabajó en el Museo de Arte de Ponce, en donde fue directora del 2013 al 2021. Ella es actualmente la directora del Weisman Art Museum of the University of Minnesota.
Jacquie Pine
Jacquie Pine, Musician
Jacqueline Zepeda, musician artist name Jacquie Pine, plays traditional Indigenous folk music called son jarocho, which originates from Veracruz, Mexico. This music was first seen in the 1700’s that reflects colonial life, and has a blend of Afro-Indigenous and Spanish styles. While the playing style of the songs are kept traditional, some of Jacquie Pine’s lyrics are shifted away from religious verses to words that reflect Indigenous resilience, the importance of connection to land and traditional ways. Jacqueline is also a woodworker and community organizer.
Jacqueline Zepeda, nombre artístico musical Jacquie Pine, interpreta la música folclórica tradicional indígena llamada son jarocho, originaria de Veracruz, México. Esta música surgió en los años 1700 y refleja la vida colonial con una mezcla de estilos afroindígena y de origen español. Aunque el estilo de interpretación de las canciones se mantiene tradicional, algunas de las letras de Jacquie Pine se alejan de los versos religiosos y se convierten en palabras que reflejan la resistencia indígena, la importancia de la conexión con la tierra y las formas tradicionales. Jacqueline es también ebaniste y organizadore comunitaria.