Calendar of Events
2008 Smithsonian Institution Calendar of Events
A Celebration of Latino Art and Culture at the Smithsonian
September
Family Day
Living in Many Worlds: Hispanic Heritage Month Family Day Celebration
Saturday, September 13
1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Kogod Courtyard / Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture
8th St. and G St. NW
Washington, D.C.
Admission is free
The whole family is invited to kick off the Smithsonian’s celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month with craft and art making activities, bomba and plena music and dance performances, children’s storytelling, family-oriented bilingual tours, and other interactive activities. This is the first event in the Smithsonian Heritage Month series “Living in Many Worlds,” which explores the many influences of time and place on heritage and identity. This program is also part of the “Puerto Rico at the Smithsonian” program series and is sponsored by the Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the Smithsonian Center for Education and Museum Studies, the Smithsonian Heritage Months Steering Committee, and the Smithsonian Latino Center.
Exhibition
September 17, 2008 — January 18, 2009
Concourse of the S. Dillon Ripley Center
1100 Jefferson Drive, SW
Washington, D.C.
As part of the 2008 program series “Puerto Rico at the Smithsonian,” the Smithsonian Latino Center presents an exhibition of iconic Puerto Rican poster art from the late 1940s to the late 1980s. During that period, the island’s best known graphic artists—Rafael Tufiño, Lorenzo Homar, José Meléndez Contreras, and many others—were enlisted by a government agency known as DIVEDCO (División de Educación de la Comunidad). Their goal was to create art for social change. Brilliant, dramatic, colorful, and didactic, these posters illustrate the island’s hopes and aspirations during the first pivotal decades of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and into the 1980s.
Annual Gala
“The Smithsonian Latino Center’s Annual ¡Smithsonian Con Sabor! Gala and Legacy Awards”
September 18
Kogod Courtyard / Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture
9th and F Streets, NW
Washington, D.C.
This year we honor Puerto Rico and recognize the contributions of Puerto Rican individuals in the arts, humanities, sciences, and other areas of U.S. culture.
School Workshop
“Art for Social Change”
Thursday, September 25
10:00 a.m. — 12:00 p.m.
3rd Floor of the S. Dillon Ripley Center
1100 Jefferson Drive, SW
Washington, D.C.
As part of the 2008 program series “Puerto Rico at the Smithsonian”, the Smithsonian Latino Center is offering educational workshops to complement its exhibition of Puerto Rican posters. These workshops will focus on the use of art to promote social change and issues. Using the DIVEDCO Poster and Film collections as a basis, topics and themes presented as part of the program will include current social issues such as health, education, and the role of family and the community in society. The workshops will include a guided tour of the exhibition, classroom discussion, and hands on activities. Art for Social Change is appropriate for both middle school and high school groups.
October
Performance
“Borinquen! Music & Dance of Puerto Rico”
October 1
10:15 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
Baird Auditorium / National Museum of Natural History
10th and Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington D.C.
The event will include group discussions and instrument demonstrations.
Art Lecture
“The Puerto Rican Poster in the 20th Century: Word and Image—with Teresa Tió”
Thursday, October 2
Pyramid Atlantic Art Center
— 8:30 p.m.
8230 Georgia Avenue
Silver Spring, Maryland
The Smithsonian Latino Center and the Pyramid Atlantic Art Center have invited the foremost expert on the Puerto Rican poster-making tradition, Dr. Teresa Tió, to present an illustrated history of one of the island’s most influential art forms. To reserve a seat at this free event, please email SLCevent@si.edu. This program is being presented in collaboration with Pyramid Atlantic, a center for contemporary prints, paper, and book arts. For more about Pyramid Atlantic, including directions from the Silver Spring Metro Station and parking information, please visit www.pyramidatlanticartcenter.org/about/contact.htm#directions.
School Workshop
“Art for Social Change”
Thursday, October 9
Thursday, October 23
10:00 a.m. — 12:00 p.m.
3rd Floor of the S. Dillon Ripley Center
1100 Jefferson Drive, SW
, D.C.
These workshops will focus on the use of art to promote social change and issues. Using the DIVEDCO poster and film collections as a basis, topics and themes presented as part of the program will include current social issues such as health, education, and the role of family and the community in society. The workshops will include a guided tour of the exhibition, classroom discussion, and hands on activities. Art for Social Change is appropriate for both middle school and high school groups.
School Workshop and Performance
“Catch the Beat—with Luis Garay”
October 14, 15, 16, 17
10:15 am & 11:30 am
The Discovery Theater
S. Dillon Ripley Center
1100 Jefferson Drive, SW
D.C.
In partnership with the Smithsonian Discovery Theater, the Smithsonian Latino Center will offer elementary students an interactive experience with Puerto Rican music, with a focus on percussion. Join us as we explore traditional Puerto Rican instruments and sounds to create the rhythms of the Island. The workshop will include a performance and interactive music session aimed at elementary age students. This program is part of the Smithsonian Latino Center’s Cultural Expressions program series.
Films Series
“The Puerto Rican films of DIVEDCO: Melodrama, Civics, and Modernity”
Featuring the short films, “El Resplandor” (1961) and
“Nenén de la Ruta Mora” (1956)
Thursday, October 23
7:00 p.m.—9:00 p.m.
Busboys and Poets
2021 14th St. N.W.
Washington, D.C.
This evening’s program features “El Resplandor” and “Nenén de la Ruta Mora,” two of the few DIVEDCO films that specifically address blackness in Puerto Rico. These films are available only in Spanish; a written, English-language overview will be available for viewers the do not speak Spanish. For directions to Busboys and Poets, visit http://www.busboysandpoets.com/.
November
School Workshop
“Art for Social Change”
Thursday, November 6
Thursday, November 20
10:00 a.m. — 12:00 p.m.
3rd Floor of the S. Dillon Ripley Center
1100 Jefferson Drive, SW
Washington, D.C.
These workshops will focus on the use of art to promote social change and issues. Using the DIVEDCO Poster and Film collections as a basis, topics and themes presented as part of the program will include current social issues such as health, education, and the role of family and the community in society. The workshops will include a guided tour of the exhibition, classroom discussion, and hands on activities. Art for Social Change is appropriate for both middle school and high school groups.
Films Series
“The Puerto Rican films of DIVEDCO: Melodrama, Civics, and Modernity”
Thursday, November 6
Featuring the film, “Los Peloteros” (1953)
7:00 p.m.—9:00 p.m.
Busboys and Poets
2021 14th St. N.W.
Washington, D.C.
This evening’s program features “Los Peloteros,” a masterpiece of Puerto Rican cinema directed by Jack Delano and featuring the legendary Puerto Rican comic, Ramón Rivero, known as “Diplo”. This film is available only in Spanish; a written, English-language overview will be available for viewers the do not speak Spanish. For directions to Busboys and Poets, visit http://www.busboysandpoets.com/.
Writers Talk
“Fantasy at the Hands of Puerto Rican Writers—with Beatriz Santiago-Ibarra and Rafi Torres”
Friday, November 21, 2008
6:30 p.m.—8:30 p.m.
Busboys and Poets
2021 14th St. N.W.
Washington, D.C.
Admission is free
From 19th century novels to pulp fiction, writer Beatriz Santiago-Ibarra from the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture interprets the broad topic of fantasy in the literature and popular writing of Puerto Rico. Santiago-Ibarra is the best-selling author of the fantasy novel El ultimo centauro (The Last Centaur), published in 2006. Mixing performance and lecture, she will be accompanied by musician and actor Rafi Torres. Be sure to arrive early—limited seating is available. For directions to Busboys and Poets, visit http://www.busboysandpoets.com/.
Films Series
“Puerto Rican Matinee pt. 1: Contemporary Films from the Island”
Saturday, November 22
1:00 p.m.—2:00 p.m. “La Isla Chatarra” (2007) by Karen Rossi
3:00 p.m. —5:00 p.m. “Ángel” (2007) by Jacobo Morales
McEvoy Auditorium / Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture
8th St. and G St. NW
Washington, D.C.
From the fancy rims on pimped-out minivans to the island’s dependency on credit, “La Isla Chatarra” is an award-winning documentary highlighting Puerto Rican car culture. It is followed by the political thriller “Ángel,” a story about dirty cops and a framed leftist university professor directed by (and starring) Academy Award-nominated director Jacobo Morales. These films are in Spanish with English subtitles. Tickets are available one hour before each show and are subject to availability—be sure to arrive early for a good seat!
December
School Workshop
“Art for Social Change”
Thursday, December 4
Thursday, December 18
10:00 a.m. — 12:00 p.m.
3rd Floor of the S. Dillon Ripley Center
1100 Jefferson Drive, SW
Washington, D.C.
These workshops will focus on the use of art to promote social change and issues. Using the DIVEDCO Poster and Film collections as a basis, topics and themes presented as part of the program will include current social issues such as health, education, and the role of family and the community in society. The workshops will include a guided tour of the exhibition, classroom discussion, and hands on activities. Art for Social Change is appropriate for both middle school and high school groups.
Films Series
“The Puerto Rican films of DIVEDCO: Melodrama, Civics, and Modernity”
Thursday, December 4
7:00 p.m.—9:00 p.m.
Featuring the films, “Juan sin seso” (1960) by Luis Maisonet and “Modesta” (1955) by Benji Doniger
Hirshhorn Museum / Ring Auditorium
Washington, DC
Admission is free
Presented in conjunction with an exhibition in the Ripley Center of Puerto Rican posters produced by a government agency called DIVEDCO, this film series presents Puerto Rican films from the 1950s and 60s whose stories and images were determined by the public policies and cultural negotiations happening on the island during those pivotal decades of political, social, and economic change. This evening’s program features “Juan sin Seso,” a humorously didactic film about the dangers of consumerism, and “Modesta,” a comical but poignant declaration (and negotiation) of women’s rights on the interior of the island. Tickets are available one hour before the show and are subject to availability—be sure to arrive early for a good seat!
Films Series
“Puerto Rican Matinee pt. 2: Contemporary Films from the Island”
Sunday, December 7
12:00 p.m. —2:00 p.m. “Cayo” (2005) by Vicente Juarbe
3:00 p.m. —5:00 p.m. “Maldeamores” (2007) by Carlos Ruiz Ruiz and Mariem Pérez Riera
McEvoy Auditorium / Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture
8th St. and G St. NW
Washington, D.C.
Set on the island of Culebra, “Cayo” is a touching love story about friendships lost and regained. With stellar acting, “Maldeamores” is the award-winning film produced by Benicio del Toro. A dark comedy about love and relationships, “Maldeamores” will be followed by a short discussion on filmmaking in Puerto Rico. Tickets are available one hour before each show (or after 11:30 a.m.) and are subject to availability—be sure to arrive early for a good seat!
Art Lecture
“Puerto Rican Art Now – with Antonio Martorell”
Friday, December 12
7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Ring Auditorium, Hirshhorn Museum
Independence Avenue at Seventh Street SW
Washington, DC
Admission is free
The Smithsonian Latino Center presents one of Puerto Rico’s best known artists, Antonio Martorell, who will discuss the work of Puerto Rican artists since the 1980s and their presence in museums and galleries on the island and in the global art market.
January, 2009
Family Day
“Puerto Rican Holiday Festival”
Sunday, January 4
1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
3 p.m. Screening of the concert film “Queridos reyes magos” (2005)
Baird Auditorium / National Museum of Natural History
10th and Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C.
Plan on spending January 4th with your family and the Smithsonian Latino Center at the National Museum of Natural History. Learn about traditional Puerto Rican crafts, holiday music, Puerto Rican flora and fauna, and much more. This program includes a 3pm screening of the 2005 Banco Popular holiday concert film “Queridos reyes magos.”
School Workshop
“Art for Social Change”
Thursday, January 8
10:00 a.m. — 12:00 p.m.
3rd Floor of the S. Dillon Ripley Center
1100 Jefferson Drive, SW
Washington, D.C.
These workshops will focus on the use of art to promote social change and issues. Using the DIVEDCO Poster and Film collections as a basis, topics and themes presented as part of the program will include current social issues such as health, education, and the role of family and the community in society. The workshops will include a guided tour of the exhibition, classroom discussion, and hands on activities. Art for Social Change is appropriate for both middle school and high school groups.
