Ceramic gods and mestizos
By Mary Breneman September 19, 2008 San Miguel de Allende

Art Opening
God Pots and People Pots
Beverly Redgate
Fri, Sep 19, 7pm
Sala de Alumnos
Bellas Artes
Hernández Macías 75

San Miguel attracts extraordinary people, so it is no accident that Beverly Redgate, formerly of Pompano Beach, Florida, decided to move here full time two years ago. She is a veteran world traveler and served with the Peace Corps as a teacher trainer in Poland. Redgate has always thrived on change, and that is what she finds so appealing about teaching and traveling.

What is most impressive about this woman is her current situation and the courageous and spirited way that she is dealing with it. She was diagnosed with head and neck cancer in 2001 and underwent a radical neck dissection, followed by months of radiation. It wasn’t long before she strapped the backpack on and crossed Antarctica off her list of more places to visit. She says, “I was sick and tired of lying on the sofa. Moreover, I wanted to become a member of the ‘traveled all continents club.’”

Since moving to San Miguel, she has taken up ceramics and often makes the analogy between being centered on the wheel and living a centered life. She is determined not to become despondent or depressed, but instead to participate fully in life and to help other cancer survivors deal with their stress and emotions. She has incorporated her traveling experiences with her art to create uniquely whimsical characters that decorate her home and many other homes in San Miguel. With her god pots, which may be Mayan-inspired, she invites us to turn over the fears and anxieties that are beyond our control and place them inside. The people pots seem to self-create on the kick wheel as they evolve into charming “mestizos.” She knows that time is short and her goal is to live each day to its fullest. The cancer did return in 2007, and the rest of her tongue was removed, followed by two more months of radiation. She is back on her feet, living life to the fullest and inspiring all those around her. Her website is www.godpots-peoplepots.com. 

Arias for Linares’ fantasy folk art 
By Deb Hall

Folk Art Exhibit & Sale
Los Linares
Sat, Sep 20, 11am–4pm
El Cortijo home of Rick and Deb Hall
Net proceeds benefit Ópera de San Miguel
No charge for admission

Diego collected them, Frida frequently displayed them throughout her Blue House, and Dolores Olmedo called every year because a Day of the Dead altar without them would not be as fabulous. They are the papier-mâché fantasy creations of Los Linares, the focus of a one-day exhibit and sale at the El Cortijo home of Rick and Deb Hall.

But why display Linares works at the Halls’ country home? “This will be a wonderful opportunity for the public to juxtapose older Linares works from our personal collection with newer works for sale,” explained Zócalo Folk Art’s Rick Hall. “And seeing the Linares family’s evolution from piñata makers to respected artists exhibited and collected worldwide is fascinating.” Comparisons with other styles of cartonería—as Mexican papier-mâché art is known—can also be drawn: the Halls’ collection includes a full-sized mojiganga plus many Judas figures and other examples from Celaya and Guanajuato. More than 20 works by three generations of Linareses will be exhibited and for sale, and a portion of the proceeds benefit Ópera de San Miguel. 

As the Day of the Dead approaches, this is the perfect moment to reflect upon the art and history of Los Linares, whose creations have come to symbolize Día de los Muertos for many Mexicans. Last year alone, Day of the Dead installations by Los Linares were displayed at Mexico City’s National Palace, National Museum for the Popular Cultures, Frida Kahlo’s Blue House, Diego Rivera’s Anahuacalli Museum and the Dolores Olmedo Museum. Additionally, works by the Linares will be the focus of the upcoming major museum exhibit “Harvest of Memories: Mexican Days of the Dead” at Toronto’s Gardiner Museum (October 3, 2008 – January 9, 2009).

Attendees will not only be privy to the Linares family’s recollections about Mexico’s best-known art luminaries, but also to exciting details about Ópera de San Miguel’s upcoming mini-festival in collaboration with Pro Musica, Tres Noches de Canciónes, November 21–23. Updates about next year’s San Miguel competition for young Mexican opera singers, destined to become an annual event, will also be given.

A private home, a country setting, and the fantasy art of Mexico’s famed Los Linares are all a part of the arts supporting the arts in San Miguel de Allende. Please join us for this singular experience hosted by Zócalo’s Rick and Deb Hall to benefit Ópera de San Miguel. The event is open to the public and admission is free. For directions, see today’s advertisement in Atención or call Zócalo Folk Art at 152-0663.

Deb Hall is co-owner of Zócalo and writes regularly about Mexican folk art and culture online at zocalodemexicanfolkart.blogspot.com.