Artists Michelle Angela Ortiz (ACG ’07, LTA ’08) and Nora Hiriart Litz (ACG ’09) will open the exhibition of their project “El Viaje” (The Journey) on Friday, June 11, 2010 from 6-9 p.m. at Casa Monarca located at 1148 South 17th Street, Philadelphia, PA. The opening reception will showcase original paintings by Mexican families living in South Philadelphia, a performance of folkloric Mexican dance by community members, and a special outdoor screening of the “El Viaje” documentary. The event is free and open to the public.
Artists Michelle Angela Ortiz and Nora Hiriart Litz created the project “El Viaje” (The Journey) which brings together the emerging Mexican community in South Philadelphia to give them a voice to tell their stories. Last summer, the artists extended an open invitation to Mexican families of South Philadelphia to simply share their struggles and accomplishments and connect with each other through conversation. The families participated in a 10-12 art workshop series and created original artworks that represent moments of their journey. A video documentary was also created which contains the authentic experiences as told by the families.
The families communicated their similar struggles, sacrifices, triumphs, and realities as immigrants making the journey to the United States. The shared hopes of “El Viaje” and its participants is the awareness in Philadelphia of the real struggles of this rising immigrant community as well as to give them the voice and a safe space to tell their stories.
For more information on the event, call: 215-253-3033. More information on the “El Viaje” project can be found at their website.
