La Preciosa by Sunni Gibbons. Courtesy image.
SANTA PAULA — The Santa Paula Art Museum will present the 22nd “De Colores Art Show: Campesinas,” opening with a reception from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17 at 117 N. Tenth St., downtown Santa Paula.
The De Colores Art Show is an annual group exhibition and celebration of Latino culture, heritage and iconography. The opening reception will feature live, traditional Mexican folk music by Trio Guadalajara. Admission to the reception is $4 for adults, $3 for seniors and free for museum members and students.
Founded in 1992 by artist and musician Xavier Montes, the purpose of the De Colores Art Show is to communicate and celebrate the diversity of the Latino experience through art. The show has also long-endeavored to bring awareness to important issues including the farmworker struggle. A large majority of farmworkers in California are Latino, and at least one-third of California farmworkers are women. This year’s De Colores Art Show illustrates the unique experience ofcampesinas (female farmworkers) in California and Ventura County.
Montes, who as curator defined the theme of this year’s show, was inspired by the aunt who raised him.
“A Day’s Work” by Beverly Lazor. Courtesy image.
“When I see women working in the fields, I think of Carmen, my mother (aunt), who picked walnuts and cut apricots,” Montes said. “The work that female farmworkers do is extremely difficult and I wanted to acknowledge their work, their lives, and their struggle.”
Artists were invited to consider the many roles of female farmworkers both in the fields and at home. The resulting group of works are bold and meaningful, and are a stunning homage to the strength of these hardworking women. The exhibition, which runs through February 28, 2016, has been made possible through the generous support of sponsors Calavo, Clinicas del Camino Real, Guerrero Insurance Services, and La Cabana.
The museum’s regular hours are Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. Regular admission is $4 for adults, $3 for seniors, and is free for museum members and students.
Call 805-525-5554, visit www.santapaulaartmuseum.org or send an email to info@santapaulaartmuseum.org for more information.