Guatemalan, Central and South American arts, crafts, cuisine, and performances that celebrate the richness
that these cultures bring to our communities.
Sponsored by Montague Catholic Social Ministries, DCR, The Guatemala Art and Culture Connection
and the local immigrant and Native American communities.
“MIGRATION – Connecting Through Art & Culture of the Americas” began when Lorna and Imre Kepes expressed interest in sharing Guatemalan art with the immigrant families who utilize programming at Montague Catholic Social Ministries in Turners Falls. Lorna, herself a programming volunteer at MCSM, knew that many of these families were of Mayan descent, originating from Guatemala and the Chiapas region of Mexico. While visiting the Center during a playgroup, the mothers – seeing the paintings from Guatemala - became nostalgic about the coffee harvest, volcanoes in the landscape, and the food of their homelands. Lorna and these women formed a plan with Susan Mareneck, Co-Director of Partnerships & Development and others at MCSM, to share the richness of Guatemala, Central and South America with their Franklin County neighbors. The series “MIGRATION – Connecting Through Art & Culture of the Americas” is scheduled from October 1-29 at the Great Falls Discovery Center and features traditional arts, crafts, cuisine, dance and music. Other sponsors of this series include DCR, The Guatemala Art and Culture Connection, local immigrant and Native American communities.
On display at The Great Falls Discovery Center through October 29 is “Bridging Borders and Cultures: An Exhibition by The Guatemala Art and Culture Connection.” The exhibition presents traditional art from Mayan villages around Lake Atitlan in Guatemala, including painting of harvest scenes, food markets, nature, and ceremonies which are integral to their life and culture. The artists are known for their distinctive style and have been exhibited in the Smithsonian in Washington as well as and internationally. More info at Facebook: Guatemala Art and Culture Connection or www.
The Visioning B.E.A.R. Singers and Medicine Mammals host participatory Native American activities for adults and children alike on Monday, October 10 (Indigenous People’s Day) from 1-4pm at The Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A in Turners Falls.
Six families from Turners Falls present a traditional “Dia de los Muertos” altar at Greenfield Community College on Saturday, October 15, during the Mary Lyon Foundation’s “Spirit of Place” Big Read family-focused event from 10am-1pm. The altar will travel to the Discovery Center where it will become part of the MIGRATION exhibition.
There is a closing celebration on Friday, October 28 at The Great Falls Discovery Center featuring authentic food and children’s activities from 3-5pm and performances by professional Ecuadorian dancers and a SPECIAL performance by Grupo Folklorico, a new children’ dance troupe from Turners Falls from 5-7pm.
The excitement and pleasure that the families feel as they share their culture with their neighbors is a tribute to their heritage as well as an opportunity for the rest of us to experience the beauty and exhilarating expressions of an ancient and sophisticated culture.
For more information visit:
www.mcsmcommunity.org
www.greatfallsdiscoverycenter.
www.marylyonfoundation.org