Enlarge El Alma de la Luna demonstrates Mexican and Vienna waltzes.

Posted: July 19th, 2010 James Willamor

To highlight and inspire cultural intersections, the Levine Museum of the New South created a summer program series, Verano Multicultural, to take place one Sunday in June, July, and August. This month's program, on Sunday, July 18, invited local artists to explore European roots in Latin America.  

Local Latin artists were invited to create painting and jewelry inspired by Frida Kahlo. Kahlo, the daughter of a European immigrant, was an important Mexican artist of the early twentieth century. Program director and Charlotte resident Lucilla Ruvalcaba gave a short lecture on Kahlo’s work and influences.  

One large, striking painting by Maria Jose Gonzalez Tostado is dominated by rosa Mexicano (magenta). “The inspiration for this work came from the idea of paying homage to Frida Kahlo, and artist that was part of my childhood,” said Tostado. “Growing up near her house in Coyoacan (near Mexico City), known as the blue house, I visited often as a child. Now I understand that my love of painting came from those wondrous visits.”

In addition to the artwork on display, the El Alma de la Luna dance group gave a demonstration of a Latin quinceanera. Similar to a "sweet sixteen" party or Bat Mitzvah, the quinceanera is a coming of age celebration held on a girl’s fifteenth birthday. The dance group also demonstrated Vienna and Mexican waltzes and, after a brief lesson, even had the audience join them in dance.

 “In my mind, I never dreamed of getting an opportunity such as this, so integrated with my roots and feelings,” said artist Verona Franco. “So, when I received the invitation to participate, I never doubted for a second and accepted right away.” Franco’s self-portrait stencil on paint and plaster pays homage to the self-portraits for which Kahlo was known.

“Frida is an icon,” said Franco. “How many walls all over the world proudly wear her stencils? I don’t know how many, but my self-stenciled portrait was the best tool I found to honor her, and say as best I can: ‘Frida is immortal!’”

The next free Verano Multicultural event will be at the Levine Museum of the New South on Sunday, August 8 at 2 p.m. “Poetry Around the World” will feature poets from different countries sharing their work in their own languages.

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