3 Ring Circus Productions 1638 Clio Street New Orleans, LA  70130 504-569-2700 www.3ringcircusproductions.com

GALLERY HOURS: Wednesday:   6:00 - 9:00 pm Thursday:   6:00 - 9:00 pm Friday:  3:00 - 6:00 pm Saturday:  11:00 am - 6:00 pm or by appointment - call 569.2700

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                July 16, 2004

3 RING CIRCUS PRODUCTIONS and THE BIG TOP PRESENT

THERESA HERRERA: CHICANA SPIRITUALITY

Exhibition dates:                     Saturday, August 7 – Saturday, September 4, 2004

Opening reception:                Saturday, August 7, 7:00 --11:00pm

Artist Talk:                             Wednesday, August 18, 7:00pm

Hands-on Clay Workshop:    Saturday, August 21, 2:00-4:00pm               

CONTACT:   Tracy Kennan

PHONE:  483-2639 or 569-2700

E-MAIL: circusart@yahoo.com

 

THERESA HERRERA:  CHICANA SPIRITUALITY

New Orleans artist, Theresa Herrera opens a solo exhibition, Chicana Spirituality, at 3 Ring Circus’ The Big Top Gallery on Saturday, August 7, 2004.  The show will remain on view through September 4th.

 

Herrera’s work honors the spirit of her ancient Aztec ancestors and their concept of Absolute Being.  She often invokes sacred geometry as a metaphor for the cosmos and universal order.  Circular mandala patterns, the Quinto Sol hieroglyph, celtic spirals and medieval labyrinths are familiar forms in her works which are created using transparent overlapping hues of acrylic paint.

 

Chicana Spirituality features a twenty-four foot walking labyrinth which invites audience participation.  The “Quinto Sol” is the hieroglyph at the center of the famous 13^th century Aztec Calendar stone.  The symbol stands for the four creation myths of the Aztecs and the belief in the preservation of the current era of existence called the Fifth Sun, Quinto Sol.  Herrera frequently invokes this symbol in her work to express connection to her Mexican origins and to represent the spiritual harmony and ecological balance struck by the cooperation of God and humans.  The labyrinth has traditionally signified a journey of contemplation and union with the spiritual.  Gallery visitors are invited to take off their shoes and embark on this spiritual journey.

 

The public is also invited to participate in a hands-on clay workshop on Saturday, August 21 from 2:00 – 4:00 pm.  During the workshop, entitled “The Sacred Feminine/La Sagrada Femenina,” participants will create clay goddesses as offerings to the artist’s altar installation to Our Lady of Guadalupe, also included in the exhibition. No pre-registration is required for the workshop.