Zacatlan Exhibit

Zacatlan and the Sierra Norte

Zacatlan and The Sierra Norte presented by the Wilmette Arts Guild will be at the Wilmette Recreation Center, 3000 Glenview Avenue, Wilmette until July 17th then it returns to Mexico. There are sixty photographs of this peaceful and beautiful region. Don’t miss this opportunity to see the twenty-five oil paintings of Miguel Diaz Guerrero, an indigenous artist basically self-taught, from the tiny village of Popotohuilco. Miguel and his translator Mary Carmen Olvera Trejo visited Wilmette for a week in June conducting seminars about everyday life and art in this remote region. Mary Carmen brought examples of the embroidery, cloth and baskets that are in daily use. Miguel’s first language is Nuahtl , an indigenous dialect. He is learning English which he finds easier than Spanish. Wilmette was charmed by them both.One of the little boys in the audience was enchanted by the pictures of the village of Popotohuilco. He exclaimed to his mother,” It’s just like Grandpa’s in Greece!” His mother explained that her father has a vacation house in the village where he was born at the “end of the world.” This brought to mind that village life is really the basics of life and has a great deal to offer the human spirit. Village life is much the same whether in Mexico, China or the US.Mary Carmen’s work with the Mexican Tourist Bureau brought attention to the beauty and richness of indigenous life, “These are not “poor people” They are people without cash. They have a culture, food, clothing , amenities and beautiful Festivals. They do not compete with each other. They help each other for the well being of all.” This was an amazing concept to the young audience who stood spell bound as she spoke.This wonderful art and the incredible $14,000 Great Wilmette Clock from Zacatlan also on display at the Rec. Center was made possible by a “Cultural Preservation Grant” from R.W.Davis to the Wilmette Arts Guild. The Wilmette Arts Guild is so grateful for the opportunity to have facilitated this fascinating but brief glimpse into the lives and art in a truly remote part of the world, right next door in Mexico!

*For additional information and relevant links go to www.wilmetteartsguild.org .Click on the R.W. Davis Award.