City Partners with Local Organizations to Host Two Sculptures from Olmec Trails: Culture and Legacy Exhibit
Sculptures celebrating Mexican Heritage on display at Nichols and 95th Street libraries through October
The City of Naperville is partnering with local organizations to showcase two sculptures from the Olmec Trails: Culture and Legacy exhibit this summer and fall. One statue is displayed in downtown Naperville at the Nichols Library, 200 W Jefferson Ave, and the second in south Naperville at the 95th St. Library, 3015 Cedar Glade Dr. This outdoor exhibit features hand-painted, large-scale renditions of iconic Olmec heads, which highlight the rich cultural heritage of Mexico.
The Mexican Cultural Center DuPage (MCCD) is hosting the “Olmec Trails: Culture and Legacy” exhibit, collaborating with Meztli Mexico and partnering with the College of DuPage Public Art Project (COD) and the DuPage Convention & Visitors Bureau (DCVB). The exhibit explores the indigenous roots of Mexican heritage, tracing a lineage to the ancient Olmec civilization, the “Mother Culture” of Mexico. It also brings attention to the importance of public art by showcasing the immense talent and creativity of more than 30 contemporary artists from across North America.
Support for the sculptures hosted in Naperville is provided by Alliance of Latinos Motivating Action in the Suburbs (ALMAS), DuPage Hispanic Alliance (DHA), the Naperville Public Library, the Naperville Sister Cities Foundation and the Special Events and Community Arts (SECA) Commission. To complement the presence of the sculptures, the groups will collaborate over the next several months to bring attention to Latin American culture. “The City is incredibly grateful to partner with these wonderful organizations to highlight Latin American heritage in the Naperville community,” said Naperville City Manager Doug Krieger. “Public art can help connect people and improve public spaces. The Olmec sculptures are the first of many public art pieces the community will enjoy thanks to Naperville’s Public Art program.”
The City received a $2,500 grant from Arts DuPage and JCS Arts, Health and Education Fund of the DuPage Foundation, a $1,000 donation from the Naperville Public Library and a $6,500 donation from SECA to assist with project expenses. The sculptures were installed on June 17 and will be available for viewing through October.
A Ribbon Cutting will take place at Nichols Library, 200 W Jefferson Ave, on Wednesday, July 24, from 5 to 6 p.m. More information about the event will be posted at www.naperville.il.us/olmec.
For more information about the sculptures and the partners responsible for bringing this project to the community, visit www.naperville.il.us/olmec.
(Right: The Olmec Trails: Culture and Legacy sculpture by artist Flavio López López (Anxel) on display at the 95th Street Library in south Naperville. Left: The Olmec Trails: Culture and Legacy sculpture by artist Juan Chawuk on display at the Nichols Library in downtown Naperville.)
About Naperville: Located 28 miles west of Chicago, Naperville, Ill., is home to approximately 150,000 people. This vibrant, thriving city consistently ranks as a top community in the nation in which to live, raise children and retire. The city is home to acclaimed public and parochial schools, the best public library system in the country, an array of healthcare options and an exceptionally low crime rate. Naperville has ready access to a variety of public transportation, housing and employment options. The city’s diversified employer base features high technology firms, retailers and factories, as well as small and home-based businesses. Residents also enjoy world-class parks, diverse worship options, the opportunity to serve on several City boards and commissions, a thriving downtown shopping and dining area, a renowned outdoor history museum known as Naper Settlement and an active civic community. For more information, please visit our website at www.naperville.il.us.