Albuquerque – The National Hispanic Cultural Center (NHCC) announces the opening of three exhibitions on Friday, September 28, 2007. Maya Textile Art: Collections of the Centro de Textiles del Mundo Maya will open to the public Friday night at 6 pm in the NHCC’s Art Museum. This monumental exhibition showcases contemporary Maya textiles which, as objects of art, reflect the splendor and continuity of the Maya culture. The works in the exhibition emphasize the masterful artistic design elements of Maya textiles and include 20th century works designed by some of the leading artists of Mexico and Guatemala, dozens of huipiles (embroidered women’s blouses), and paintings by famed artists such as Carlos Mérida and Rufino Tamayo. The NHCC’s Director of Visual Arts, Dr. Tey Marianna Nunn states, “The Fomento Cultural Banamex has done a spectacular job in organizing this exhibit. The works are exquisite examples of art and adornment. The graphic quality of the motifs and aesthetics are really powerful. The exhibition also includes the work of many famous painters and artists who have been inspired by Maya textiles. We are so pleased to be able to host the exhibition in New Mexico at the NHCC.”  Prior to its arrival in Albuquerque this exhibition has been on display at the Museo Nacional de Antropologia (National Museum of Anthropology) in Mexico City, the Meadows Museum in Dallas, The Americas Society in New York City and the National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago. 
 

Along with this exhibition, two additional exhibits focusing on textile art will open to the public on Friday, September 28. Threads of a Different Color: Guatemalan Textiles from the John Shaw Collection features wonderful examples of huipiles including those made especially for santos (saints) as well as other everyday and ceremonial textiles from Guatemala.   This exhibition is drawn primarily from the extensive John Shaw Collection, which was graciously donated to the NHCC’s permanent art collection.

Mayan Indians – Weavers of Color: Photographs by Linda Montoya will also be on view. A journey of the heart led Linda Montoya, photographer from Las Cruces, New Mexico, back to Chiapas, Mexico in the summer of 2003 to reconnect with Mayan Indian women and children she met previously in 1984. Montoya’s images chronicle her experience. 

Below is a list of public programs that will accompany the exhibitions. All exhibitions will remain on view in the NHCC’s Art Museum through January 13, 2008.

August 19
Slide Lecture with John Shaw
Wells Fargo Auditorium, 2 pm, Free 

August 26
Slide Lecture with Linda Montoya
Wells Fargo Auditorium, 2 pm, Free 

September 29
Maya Textile Art Exhibition Tour
Art Museum, 2 pm & 3 pm, Free with museum admission
$3 adults, $2 seniors and children under 16 

September 28 – 30
Textile Art Trunk Show at La Tiendita, the NHCC Museum Store
6 pm on Friday and 10 am on Saturday and Sunday

November 17
Textile Arts Community Day
10 am – 5 pm, Special activities free of charge.

For additional information on this and other programs at the National Hispanic Cultural Center, call 246-2261 or visit www.nhccnm.org The NHCC is a division of the Department of Cultural Center Affairs (DCA).