Arts
The influence of Latino art spans across many time periods. The ancient period consisted of art pieces from the Maya, Aztec, and Inca civilizations. Much of the art from this period reflected the important architectual achievements of these civilizations. During the Spanish colonial period, art was expressed through paintings, sculptures, and architecture. Lastly, the modern contemporary art period marked the beginning of many diverse art forms including paintings, folk art and print.18 The University of Michigan features artwork from these influential times in history.
*With the help of Ernesto Juavez Jr.,an outside artist, several Latino students at the University of Michigan have created a mural called the Arte Project. The mural will be displayed at the William Monroe Trotter Multicultural House once it has been renovated. The mural has 6 panels and each panel represents a different theme. The themes are religion, popular culture, education, political activism, birth & family, and lastly body, gender & sexuality. A retreat was held the first week of December to mark the beginning of the project. At the retreat, students discussed their feelings on leadership. the Latino community, and their identity. The mural will be an artistic expression of these views. The Arte project should be complete in early January of 2005. 19
*There are several pictures and paintings in the American Culture department on the 3rd floor of Haven Hall that were done by Latino artists.
*Another art venue is the University of Michigan Art Museum on the corner of State St. and S. University (across from the Michigan Union). The museum is free and open to the public.
*Try something different and take a ride on the culture bus! The Arts at Michigan program invites students to take a trip to various museums. We had the opportunity to enjoy the culture bus when we took a trip to the Detroit Institute of Art and Mexicantown in Southwest Detroit. 20