National Hispanic Cultural Center

“If art is to nourish the roots of our culture, society must set the artist free to follow his vision wherever it takes him.” - John F. Kennedy 

So Alejandro is a volunteer docent for the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque.  He was kind enough to take me down there to see what it was all about.  It is the largest center of it's kind in the United States, largely funded by Roy Disney (Walt's brother).  If you want to know more, just click on the link in the name!  Photography is not allowed in the museum, but since he knew the security schedule he was able to tell me when I could sneak pictures here and there (hooray for connections).  The main exhibit featured pieces of furniture hand crafted.  They were beautiful!   Here are some pics!

Happy almost Dia de Los Muertos! (This one is for you Bfrank) Also...note my sun burnt left arm from the ten hour drive the day before.  I now drive with a shirt covering that arm. 

This one is of a high ceiling in one of the entryways to a play house at the center.

Amazing hand carved crib with beautiful detail work.  So pretty!

I really wish this was not side ways (again, check the Picasa)...but those are guns painted onto the seats.  Also, the inscription says: Borracho Perdido.  This translates to: Lost Drunk.  I thought it was funny =)

With this being sideways it loses some of its charm...but it is a woodworking shop in the museum.  A painting of one.  Doesn't it look real?  It even has the little fire extinguisher in the corner.

I just thought these were awesome. 

Grrr!! Of course one of my two favorite pieces shows up sideways here ...but it is based on the book Men are From Mars, Women are From Venus.  "Venus" is on top and the bull represents the man (that's pretty damn accurate!) below.  I liked the contemporary feel of it and how the artists (two brothers) incorporated the Shell logo.

Alright - so check this out.  It is very pretty right?  I thought so...then I walked two feet to the left and saw what is pictured below.

It is a functional centerpiece!  You set it on your table and then when company comes over: Voila!  Each piece is a different dish, bowl or cup!  I was very impressed.  I just kept walking back and forth looking at the big piece and finding the little dishes within it.  So cool!

Okay, so this one is supposed to be the other way (of course), but it was my favorite piece.  It is a deity piece.  If you will look you can see a bird, wolf and horse head - all sharing one all knowing eye.  I thought it was fantastic - and trippy.

All in all I was very impressed with the exhibits at the center.  It was a nice break from the heat to walk around indoors for a while, too!  Plus, I learned a lot!