Latino Arts Project to Install Gaspar Yanga Exhibition at SMU Featuring Never-Before-Seen Historic Materials
Latino Arts Project is proud to announce the installation of Yanga Rediscovered: The First Liberator of the Americas, an exhibition highlighting the heroic actions of Gaspar Yanga, at the recently renovated Owen Arts Center at SMU from February 1 through March 31, 2023.
Dallas, TX — Latino Arts Project is proud to announce the installation of Yanga Rediscovered: The First Liberator of the Americas, an exhibition highlighting the heroic actions of Gaspar Yanga, at the recently renovated Owen Arts Center at SMU from February 1 through March 31, 2023.
With newly uncovered historic documents dating back to the 17th century, the story of Gaspar Yanga – who escaped slavery in Mexico and became the First Liberator of the Americas in 1609 after negotiating demands from the King of Spain – unfolds through interactive and animated videos, folk art, sculptures, murals, stained glass, and documents never before seen by the public.
This installation, which will be the focus of the Black History Month exhibit at SMU Meadows, will also demonstrate ties to the African Slave Trade, the AfroMexican experience and African American experience with historical artifacts, photographs and sculptures.
“The purpose of this exhibit is to better understand the history we all share and the impact it has on us even today,” says Latino Arts Project founder and curator, Jorge Baldor. “This beautiful setting at the newly remodeled Owen Arts Center is ideal for our entire community of students and families to visit and experience at the SMU campus, many visiting for the first time.”
Reproductions of the authentic official historical documents from the Archive General de la Nacion (National Archives) in Mexico City and Archivo General de Indias (Archive of the Indies) in Seville, Spain will also be on display in the exhibit. These documents track the correspondence between Luis de Velasco, Viceroy of New Spain, Gaspar Yanda and Felipe III, the King of Spain. Also included is the 1630 Acto de Fundacion (Incorporation Act) for the foundation of San Lorenzo de los Negros, the community that resulted from Yanga’s courageous actions.
For sponsorship opportunities or to schedule curated individual/group tours, contact info@LatinoArtsProject.org.
About Latino Arts Project
Latino Arts Project is designed to bring a greater understanding of Latino art, history and culture through multicultural exhibitions and community programs in partnership with local, national and international artists and institutions.
True to its intended “pop-up” museum experience, Latino Arts Project will resurface in different venues from time to time but with the same mission — to create a better understanding of the impact art has on community conversation and how that discourse then impacts art.
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About SMU Meadows School of the Arts
The Meadows School educates visionary artists, scholars, and arts and communications professionals to create sustainable and transformative impact on both local and global society. Today, the Meadows School has achieved prominence as one of the foremost arts education institutions in the United States and offers training in an unusual mix of the arts – visual (art and art history), performing (dance, music, and theatre) and communications (advertising, film and media arts, corporate communication and public affairs, and journalism) – as well as a preeminent program in arts management and arts entrepreneurship. Learn more at smu.edu/Meadows.