The Superstition Mountain Museum presents a celebration of fine art from Mexico at this free three-day event, March 10-12, 2023 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Museum grounds, patio, and barn will be filled with some of Mexico’s finest artisans. Meet potters, wood carvers and painters, a weaver, and a silversmith — many demonstrating their art and production techniques to visitors.
Artists include Mata Ortiz potters Lila Silveira, Trini Silveira and Elvira Bugarini as well as Oaxacan painter-woodcarvers Julia Fuentes and Armondo Jimenez, Mata Ortiz silversmith Yesenia Salgado and Zapotec master weaver Porfirio Gutierrez. Visitors will be delighted with live demonstrations of their craft and a sale of their work. They have traveled many miles to exhibit here and include internationally-recognized, award-winning artists. Their work is sought after by collectors all over the world.
This free event is family-friendly and educational, offering tremendous photographic and shopping opportunities. Parking is also free for visitors.
A fund raising event is also planned for Friday evening, March 10 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The Museum welcomes sculptor, muralist, storyteller and performance artist Zarco Guerrero for a Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) presentation. Expect hilarious and moving tales, with original characters including: the poetry spouting “El Vato Poeta,” the flirtatious “La Comadre,” the clueless “Special Ed,” the wise “El Abuelito,” and other beloved roles that Zarco has created. A mariachi band is also scheduled to add to this celebration of culture. Reservations and tickets are required for this event. Email [email protected] or call 480-983-4888 to sign up.
The museum is situated on a 12-acre site just beneath the west end of Superstition Mountain and is loaded with historical buildings and artifacts pertaining to the history of the Lost Dutchman Mine and of the area. It is run by the non-profit Superstition Mountain Historical Society and is open daily from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. For more information, go to www.superstitionmountainmuseum.org or call 480-983-4888.
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Introducing The Magic of Mexican Artistry Guests
Elvira Bugarini (Mata Ortiz) • Elvira is one of the rising stars of potters in Mata Ortiz. She has been winning major prizes in international and Mexican juried shows. The finely detailed pottery is painted with long strands of human hair in the traditional method of Mata Ortiz. Elvira collaborates with her husband Jesus M. Pedregon to create finely detailed unique pottery.
Julia Fuentes (Oaxaca) • Julia is the only Oaxacan wood carving artist that has been trained in painting by the prestigious Bellas Artes art school. Her beautifully painted pieces reflect her special training. Her shading of colors and fine detail are like no other Oaxaca artist. Her sculptures often take days or even weeks to complete. Julia’s work is collected by institutions and collectors all over the world.
Porfirio Gutierrez (Oaxaca) • Porfirio is the proud descendent of many generations of Zapotec weavers. Porfirio is recognized by the Smithsonian Institution as an artist working to preserve the traditions of natural dyes. His art has been shown on PBS as well as a documentary funded by the Smithsonian Institution. Porfirio has just returned from the United Arab Emirates 2023 International Traditional Craft Forum. He had the honor of being invited to share his work and culture with artists from all over the world. Porfirio lectures at universities, art foundations, and museums and has shown his work in eight countries on four continents. Porfirio will be demonstrating his weaving techniques and talking about the natural dye process.
Armondo Jimenez (Oaxaca) • Armondo is the grandson of Manuel Jimenez, the man given credit for the beginning of the Oaxacan wood carving movement. Armondo is an amazing carver that will be demonstrating his carving techniques at the Museum. Armondo specializes in many varieties of animals, full of movement and panache, such as leaping cheetahs, immense anteaters with long tongues, and possums with litters of babies suspended from their tails. His pieces are admired for their mischief and humor.
Yesenia Salgado (Oaxaca) • In Oaxaca, filigree jewelry traditionally has been a male dominated art form. Yesenia’s family workshop is made up mostly of females. Yesenia began silversmithing at age 16 and by age 29 she is winning awards for her precise and lovely filigree work. Each piece of jewelry is hand formed and soldered to achieve the final delicate result.
Lila Silveira (Mata Ortiz) • Lila is a master potter recognized as one of the top 20 potters in Mata Ortiz. Her work has traveled to Limoges and Paris, France. She was selected by the governor of Chihuahua to create a gift for every governor in Mexico when he hosted the yearly gathering of governors. Lila’s delicate, detailed work is collected throughout the world. Her work is painted with brushes, hand crafted of long strands of human hair. You will be able to see her demonstrating her fine detailed work at the museum.
Trini Silveira (Mata Ortiz) • Trini has been recognized as the first artist to master the use of liquid gold in the painting of her pieces. Trini recently won first place at the annual pottery competition in Mata Ortiz.
