The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art Presents: Latino Folk Tales: Cuentos Populares Art by Latino Artists
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art is proud to present Latino Folk Tales: Cuentos Populares Art by Latino Artists which will open March 26 and run through June 9, 2013.
Folk tale literature throughout the world encompasses both magic and symbolism, comprised in stories of saints, gods, myths, and legends. The motifs, characters and plots are often ancient in origin and initially passed by word of mouth. These repeated and recorded stories transcend various national and cultural boundaries. Multiple influences that reach back through the centuries can be discovered in the stories and art in this exhibition.
Latino Folk Tales: Cuentos Populares features 63 original artworks from bilingual Latino folk tales published in children’s picture books. Twelve talented, award-winning artists focus their lively imaginations, distinctive styles and colorful palettes to bring the stories alive. The illustrations enhance stories collected from many Spanish-speaking regions including Mexico, New Mexico, Puerto Rico, Central and South America.
The stories began as songs and oral stories rich with endless variations. The Spanish language is common to these stories but the roots of the tales can be traced back through centuries to Persia, India and China. Cinderella, for example, was first recorded in China about 850 AD. This renowned tale transcends cultural boundaries and was brought to the New World by Spanish settlers. Mother and daughter artists Gloria and Lucia Perez illustrate Little Gold Star, their version of Cinderella.
Lulu Delacre, a leading Latina artist and writer, did extensive research to compile Golden Tales, a collection of Zapotec and Aztec stories from Mexico and the Caribbean Islands. Delacre’s paintings resound with the spirit of the native peoples and ancient motifs.
This exhibition features artists Lulu Delacre, Maya Gonzalez, Leovigildo Martínez, Felipe Davalos, Beatriz Vidal, Honorio Robledo, Esau Andrade Valencia, Amy Cordóva, Susan Guevara, Lucia and Gloria Perez and Raúl Colón. Their story telling art can be seen in The First Tortilla, Juan and the Jackalope, The Bossy Gallito, Sugar Cane: A Caribbean Rapunzel, and A Perfect Season for Dreaming and many other stories featured in this exhibition – a kaleidoscope of Latino folk tales. Bilingual books are also included in the exhibition.
Credit line: Latino Folk Tales: Cuentos Populares
Art by Latino Artists
Curated by Sylvia Nissley
Tour Development by Smith Kramer Traveling Exhibitions, Kansas City, Missouri
Related programming:
CactusHead Puppets presents: The Tale of Juan Bobo
Wednesday, April 17 – Saturday, April 20
11:00 am & 2:00 pm
Meet Juan Bobo! He always tries to do the right thing, but often makes mistakes. For Juan even the smallest task can lead to the silliest of results. But can Juan Bobo’s seemingly foolish actions end up saving the day? Join CactusHead Puppets as they bring this classic Puerto Rican folktale to life and decide for yourself. $5 (Members $4.50) Tickets may be purchased in advance at the Museum Admissions Desk or by calling (413) 658-1126.
Five-College Musicians at The Carle
Saturday, April 20, 2013
1:00 pm
Tickets $
Celebrate the Museum’s exhibition, Latino Folk Tales: Cuentos Populares, with a reading with musical accompaniment of Munro Leaf’s The Story of Ferdinand followed by a musical medley of Latin American songs. Tickets may be purchased in advance at the Museum Admissions Desk or by calling (413) 658-1126.
Public Art Program
Latin Landscapes
April 10 – May 21, 2013
Capture the beauty of the landscapes from Latino Folk Tales: Cuentos Populares-Art by Latino Artists and create a picturesque panorama adapting the textured drawing style of illustrator Raúl Colón.
Meet Artist and Author Raúl Colón
Sunday, May 19, 2013
ABOUT THE MUSEUM
The mission of The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, a non-profit organization in Amherst, MA, is to inspire a love of art and reading through picture books. The only full-scale museum of its kind in the United States, The Carle collects, preserves, presents, and celebrates picture books and picture book illustrations from around the world. In addition to underscoring the cultural, historical, and artistic significance of picture books and their art form, The Carle offers educational programs that provide a foundation for arts integration and literacy.
Eric and Barbara Carle founded the Museum in November 2002. Eric Carle is the renowned author and illustrator of more than 70 books, including the 1969 classic, The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Since opening, the 40,000 square foot facility has served more than half a million visitors, including 30,000 schoolchildren. Its extensive resources include a collection of more than 10,000 picture book illustrations, three art galleries, an art studio, a theater, picture book and scholarly libraries, and educational programs for families, scholars, educators, and schoolchildren. Educational offerings include professional training for educators around the country. Museum hours are Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday 10 am to 5 pm, and Sunday 12 noon to 5 pm. Open Mondays in July and August and during MA school vacation weeks. Admission is $9 for adults, $6 for children under 18, and $22.50 for a family of four. For further information and directions, call 413-658-1100 or visit the Museum’s website at www.carlemuseum.org.
Images are available for reproduction. For additional press information and /or images, please contact Sandy Soderberg, Marketing Manager at (413) 658-1105 or sandys@carlemuseum.org.
