Faner Hall's University Museum is about to get a dash of Latino flavor.
Friday will mark the beginning of the Carbondale Community Arts' 11th Biennial Art Show. For the next month the museum will be showcasing some of the state's best Latino art.
Scheduled events include a gallery talk from the exhibit's curator, a Flamenco Serenade performed by guitarist Sergio Barranco and an Art Song concert by tenor Gustavo Flores.
This exhibit is just one of the events sponsored by Carbondale Community Arts for their "Las Noches de Septiembre" celebration.
In addition to the musical aspect of the reception on Friday, there will also be other freestanding pieces. The uniqueness of the pieces range from Mexican artist Elvia Rodriguez's elaborate decoration of a small white microwave to Mexican artist Harold Mendez's mixed-media piece entitled, "A Teenage Love That Didn't Feel No Hurt Yet."
Mendez's piece features floral foam, spun sugar, cassette film, a corncob, mango fruit, preserved foliage, carnations, rubber latex, water and wood.
Executive Director of Carbondale Community Arts Nancy Stemper said the work showcased varies in style and aesthetics.
"The one common denominator that they (the artists) share is being Latino and living in the U.S.," Stemper said. "However, they have different back stories - whether they are Puerto Rican, Mexican or U.S. citizens for example."
The University Museum's designer for this particular exhibit, Nate Steinbrink, shares the same enthusiasm with Stemper for the chance to show the Latino art.
"This is an exceptional opportunity for the university and Carbondale residents to view very high quality artwork by these Latino artists," Steinbrink said.
With such high quality and interesting art coming to Carbondale, Steinbrink said he wants to see a number of people experience the exhibit.
"I hope people can take advantage of this rare opportunity," he said.
For more information on the exhibit, visit the museum's website at www.museum.siu.edu or by call Carbondale Community Arts at 618-457-5100.
Julia Rendleman contributed to this report.
McCormick can be reached at 536-3311 ext. 275 or lmccorm2@siu.edu.
