(Above: Artwork by Maricela Figueroa)

Edited by Randi Bjornstad

The September Second Friday Art Walk in downtown Springfield features an exhibit at the Emerald Art Center called Memories of My Homeland II, and consisting of colorfully embroidered fabric images representing architecture, flowers, landscapes and animals created by Latin American women who live in Lane County.

The women belong to the Art Club for Spanish-speaking mothers sponsored by the University of Oregon’s Jordan Schnitzer Museumm of Art. Work by artists Maricela Figueroa Zamilpa and Fabiola Marroquín are among those showcased in this exhibition.

The show is organized by Eugene Arte Lation & Comunidad y Herencia Cultural, in collaboration with the art museum, and coordinated by Jessica Zapata.

The opening reception from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 8 will include musical performance by Mariachi Monumental, offering a wide variety of traditional Mexican music.

In addition, Antonio Huerta will present an exhibit of traditional Charro attire as worn in Charrería, the national sport of Mexico, which involves horsemanship, roping, rope tricks and cattle work. The activity, which dates to the 1500s when the Spanish introduced horses and cattle in the Americans, has been designated an “Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity” by UNESCO, the United Nations Educational and Cultural Organization. This exhibit also recognizes the contribution of Oregon women who participate in the Charrería tradition, carrying out daring maneuvers while riding sidesaddle. The women, called Escaramuzas, symbolize the role of Mexican women during the Mexican Revolution of the early 20th century, when they displayed their horsemanship skills on the battlefield.

Aqua, by Barbara Soshnick

Terrazza 2, by Barbara Harrison

Additional artistic displays for the month of September included works by featured members Barbara Harrison (watercolors) and Bobbie Soshnick (art pieces created with recycled items).

And, as usual, new work by members of the Emerald Art Center also will be on the walls.

 

 

 

 

Emerald Art Center exhibits for September 2023

When: Sept. 5-29, except open until 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 8 during the downtown Springfield Second Friday Art Walk

Where: 500 Main St., Springfield

Gallery hours: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday

Information: 541-726-8595 or online at emeraldartcenter.org