¡Fiesta!: Eiteljorg, community groups celebrate Latino culture in October

Behind the bright colors and the whimsical skeletons, the artwork carries a serious message.

A skull rests on top of a plant stalk underneath an oversized sun in “Climate Change.” Flowers, leaves and tendrils overwhelm a skeleton in “Facing Nature.” A crying skeleton stands with hands on their hips in “There Is No Planet B.”

In “Dead Serious,” artist Luis Fitch has created visually compelling images exploring the planet’s crucial issues and the urgent need to preserve and protect our environment.

“This is an exhibition with Day of the Dead icons telling people that this is what’s happening in our world,” said Eduardo Luna, founder of Arte Mexicano en Indiana. “It’s a weather-change conversation that he has with his artwork.”

Fitch’s exhibition, as well as a discussion by the artist, are at the heart of the Eiteljorg Museum’s celebration of Latino culture and arts throughout the month of October.

Visitors will be able to hear from Fitch, in addition to perusing works from innovative artists and vendors during “AHORA: A Mexican and Latin American Art and Design Pop Up Event.”

An exhibit of elaborate and engaging ofrendas, or altars, will be on display throughout the month, leading up to the annual Día de Muertos Community Celebration.

Working in conjunction with the Arte Mexicano en Indiana and Nopal Cultural organizations, the Eiteljorg hopes the coming weeks offer a wealth of opportunities to explore deep traditions and exciting art.

“We would not be able to do this amazing programming without Eduardo and without organizations like Arte Mexicano en Indiana and Nopal Cultural, and other community partners,” said Alisa Nordholt-Dean, vice president for public programs and Beeler family director of education at the Eiteljorg. “Eduardo and his teams are doing most of the work to make these programs possible at the Eiteljorg Museum.

“It means so much to us to have these wonderful partnerships we can call on.”

At the center of the celebration is “AHORA,” which is Spanish for “now.” The goal of the event on Saturday is uncovering the exciting creativity evident in the Mexican and Latino art communities.

“AHORA came to mind being something that a lot of people are able to learn. One word people understand is ‘ahora.’ It also means now, what’s happening the Latino arts now in Indianapolis and also in the nation,” Luna said.

The celebration came to life through the deep connection between the Eiteljorg and Arte Mexicano en Indiana, a nonprofit organization fostering and promoting Mexican art, music, and culture throughout the state.

The two groups have worked together every fall on the Día de Muertos event and the accompanying Community Art and Altar Exhibit. Organizers plan joint exhibitions of Latino artists to go with the events, often bringing in well-known creators to showcase their work.

Fitch’s artwork is recognized both nationally and internationally. The Minneapolis-based artist has work featured in over 380 private and institutional collections throughout the United States, Mexico, and larger Latin America — including in the Smithsonian Design Museum in New York, the Minneapolis Institute of Art in Minneapolis and the National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago.

Most recently, Fitch illustrated a set of four stamps for the U.S. Postal Service, and created an art collection for Target stores, to be sold nationwide to help commemorate Día de Muertos.

Luna had reached out to Fitch about showing some of his prints in Indianapolis. He accepted.

“I was thinking that, because he accepted and Minneapolis is not too far from Indianapolis, we could bring him to Indianapolis to give a small lecture about his work, because he would be the featured artist,” Luna said.

Eiteljorg officials thought it would be an outstanding opportunity, and go with Fitch’s talk, they could invite other local artists to be vendors during the event in a pop-up gallery.

“We were very excited about potentially showcasing Luis Fitch last year when the idea first sprouted with Eduardo. The fact that it fell into place this year is very, very exciting to be able to showcase an artist of that caliber here at the Eiteljorg Museum,” Nordholt-Dean said.

Fitch’s visit and the “AHORA” event falls perfectly within the museum’s Community Art and Altar Exhibit. A variety of organizations and artists from the area have designed custom ofrendas, or altars, to be displayed through Nov. 3. The ofrenda is an integral part of Día de Muertos, and visitors are invited to see the creativity that has gone into the altars while leaving a photograph or note in remembrance of loved one.

“Dead Serious” will also be on display throughout the run of the altar exhibit.

All of the exhibits and activities lead up to the Día de Muertos Community Celebration at Eiteljorg on Oct. 26. Día de Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is observed in Mexico, Latin America, the United States and elsewhere to remember loved ones who have passed on.

The Eiteljorg teams up with Arte Mexicano en Indiana and Nopal Cultural to put on an event that has becoming massively popular in the region. Last year, more than 5,500 people attended.

“Every year, this is like a homecoming for the community. People are looking forward to gather, to perform in this venue and have this audience,” Luna said.

The day features music and dance performances as well as cultural presentations. People can shop in the Mercado or market, and try art-making activities. An all-female mariachi orchestra from Chicago, Mariachi Sirenes, will perform twice that afternoon. Artist in residence Richard Gabriel, Jr., will demonstrate his Spanish Colonial tinworking art.

“Guests can expect a day of performances and artists. We have a very robust mercado featuring local artists but vendors as well. You can get your fill of pan de muertos, pick up a sugar skull, really engage with these artists and vendors, make your own art, experience a catrina parade and so much more,” Nordholt-Dean said.

IF YOU GO

Hispanic Heritage Month

Where: Eiteljorg Museum, 500 W. Washington St., Indianapolis

“AHORA: A Mexican and Latin American Art and Design Pop Up Event”

What: A community event where people can shop from local art vendors and explore a pop-up gallery of Latino arts as well as meet artist Luis Fitch, who will speak at noon and 3 p.m.

When: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday

Cost: Included with regular museum admission.

Día de Muertos Community Art and Altars

What: An opportunity to see a collection of altars, or ofrendas, created by different organizations and groups from the local area. People are invited to put a photo or note on the community ofrenda in remembrance of a departed loved one.

When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, noon- 5 p.m. Sunday through Nov. 3

Cost: Included with regular museum admission.

Día de Muertos Community Celebration

What: An event done in collaboration with Arte Mexicano en Indiana and Nopal Cultural, featuring music and dance performances and cultural presentations, a Mercado, or market, art-making activities, performances by Mariachi Sirenes, an all-female mariachi orchestra from Chicago, and demonstrations by artist in residence Richard Gabriel, Jr.

When: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Oct. 26

Cost: Free