SLCC showcases works inspired by artist Jose Guadalupe Posada

Salt Lake Community College will host “Calaveras Mexicanas – The art and influence of José Guadalupe Posada” and several related events October 23 through November 11.

The main exhibit, “Homage to Posada,” will feature pieces by contemporary Latin American artists commemorating the centennial of Posada’s death. Posada (1852-1913) is considered the “father of Mexican printmaking,” known for his use of skeletons (calaveras) in political cartoons that depicted life in Mexico City during the early 20^th century. The artwork will be shown in the George and Dolores Doré Eccles Gallery of SLCC’s South City Campus, 1575 South State Street, Salt Lake City. The October 23 opening reception, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., will feature a slideshow about Posada, appetizers, lectures about “Day of the Dead” and a craft table.

SLCC, Artes de Mexico en Utah and the Consulate of Mexico in Salt Lake City, along with the Utah Humanities Council, Utah Division of Arts and Museums and Wells Fargo Bank combined efforts to bring “Calaveras Mexicanas” to the college.

On October 28 SLCC will host the Latino Youth Leadership Conference, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the Student Event Center on its Taylorsville Redwood Campus, 4600 South Redwood Road. SLCC will feature student works from the college’s Mexican American Culture course in the “’Nichos’ and Altar Gallery” October 29 through November 4, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. each day, also in the Student Event Center.

Spoken word poet Michael Reyes will celebrate Hispanic/Latino heritage October 28, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Mestizo Coffeehouse, 631 West North Temple, Salt Lake City and then on October 29, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. in SLCC’s Student Event Center. There will be a “Day of the Dead” celebration November 4, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Student Event Center.