Catrina Dinner 2023

When:

Sunday, October 15, 2023 @ 5:30 pm

Where:

Fonda San Miguel, 2330 W N Loop Blvd, Austin, TX 78756

Honorary Chairs:

The Honorable Cónsul General of México Pablo Marentes Gonzalez & Patricia Lerdo de Tejada

President of the Board, Paul Saldaña

Vice-President, Elizabeth Rogers

Honorees:

Elaine Salazar, Ampersand Art Supply

Mary J. Andrade, Artist and Photojournalist

Edwin R. Jordan

Maria Luisa “Lulu” Flores

Music:

Trio Musical Jorge Tamayo & Friends

Attire:

Cocktail attire, Catrina make-up and masks

Who is La Catrina?

The first image of La Catrina appeared as a zinc etching originally created by José Guadalupe Posada for a satirical leaflet produced in 1910. While most of his work was unknown during his life, Posada’s images were reintroduced to the public by Jean Charlot and Diego Rivera. Rivera popularized La Calavera Catrina in his mural Dream of a Sunday Afternoon in Alameda Park (1947), and she has since become a time honored symbol for Día de los Muertos that is embraced and celebrated by millions every year.

Mary J. Andrade is a prominent figure in the study of Day of the Dead and has documented the celebration in different states of the Mexican Republic. Mary J. Andrade, Cultural Advisor for the Disney Pixar movie “Coco,” began researching Day of the Dead in 1987 in Janitzio, Michoacán. Since then, Mary has covered a different state of the Mexican Republic each year, gathering information and taking photographs of the celebration of this pre Hispanic tradition known as Day of the Dead. She is considered a foremost expert on Day of the Dead history and meaning, as well as the creation of traditional ofrendas. Andrade’s photographs of Day of the Dead have been featured in over 300 exhibitions. Andrade has delivered countless lectures as well and produced videos on Day of the Dead. This year, Mexic-Arte Museum is beyond proud to announce the recent donation of The Mary J. Andrade Passion for Life, Day of the Dead in Mexico Photography Collection. An exhibit at the Museum featuring select photographs of various areas of Mexico and how this age old tradition is celebrated in distinct communities was exhibited Sept. 17 – Nov. 21, 2021.

Edwin R. Jordan was born in Austin, TX in 1934 and grew up in his parents home on West 7th St. He received his BFA from The University of Texas in 1955. Having fallen in love with Mexican folk art, he began to collect in the 1990s. Through visits to antique shops and thrift stores, along with annual trips to the Feria de los Maestros in Chapala, Mexico, he slowly amassed a unique collection. In the 1980s, Mr. Jordan visited the Arts Warehouse and became acquainted with Mexic-Arte. He found a place that shared his passion for Mexican art, and the Museum grew to be a major part of his life. Mr. Jordan has contributed in numerous ways, such as organizing art auctions, loaning art, contributing his own artwork, and donating many artworks, including a 400 piece nativity scene. With his ample knowledge and love of Mexican popular art and community, he has been an invaluable ambassador for the Museum.

Lulu Flores was born and raised in Laredo, Texas. Ms. Flores received her B.A. and J.D. from the University of Texas. As a founding member of Hendler Flores Law, Lulu is a senior legal advisor and Equity Partner. Ms. Flores served on Mexic-Arte’s Board of Directors for 9 years as a member and officer, 2 years as the Vice President for Public Affairs, and 5 years as President. As President, she helped the Museum secure a $5 million bond. She also led the campaign for the 78th Legislature of Texas to designate the Museum as “The Official Mexican and Mexican American Fine Art Museum of Texas.” She currently serves on the Austin Arts Commission. She served as President and CEO of the National Women’s Political Caucus and has served on the boards of Planned Parenthood and YMCA Austin. Lulu was named “National Latina Lawyer of the Year” in 2010 by the Hispanic National Bar Association, and she was included in the City of Austin Women’s Hall of Fame. Recently, she was named the 2020 Distinguished Lawyer of the Year by the Austin Bar Association.

Elaine Salazar is the owner of Ampersand Art Supply, a company she began as a graduate student at the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas in Austin. Her background in art history brought her into collaboration in 1993 with artist Charles Ewing to bring to market several unique painting surfaces for artists. Unparalleled quality, innovative coatings, and the company’s exclusive Archiva- SealTM are some of the many reasons artists trust Ampersand for their artwork. The company has surfaces for artists working in multiple media formats– from oils to watercolor. Elaine’s commitment to support Latino/a artists in their work has led to the company’s steadfast support of Mexic-Arte’s mission over the years. Since 2009 the company has been very proud to donate all the panels for Mexic-Arte’s Mix and Mash artwork benefit fundraisers.