FRIENDS OF MEXICAN ART

SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER

Welcome back to FOMA’s 2011-11 season.  Lots of interesting activities are planned, so be sure to read your monthly newsletter and consult the website for plans and activities.

BEGINNING OF THE YEAR PARTY

Our Beginning of the Year Party will be at Talking Stick Golf Club on Sunday, September 12, from 6 - 8 in the evening.  The cost per person will be $35.  Ginny Waroblak will be sending invitations with more information in the near future.

FOMA - SMOCA COLLABORATION

Once again, SMOCA (Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art) has invited us to participate with them in an event:  author Susan Vogel will discuss her book,  Becoming Pablo O’Higgins.    Vogel is a graduate of San Francisco State University and Hastings College of the Law, studied at the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Mexico City, and  has published  in many national and international publications.   The book examines the complex personality of American artist Pablo O'Higgins and his participation in the vibrant and often volatile twentieth century political art movement in Mexico. Unraveling O'Higgins' true identity, this fascinating narrative weaves together some of the most powerful personalities in international politics and art.  The lecture and book signing  will take place on Sunday, September 19, at 2 pm at the Stage 2 at the newly remodeled Scottsdale Center for the Arts (7380 E. 2nd Street, Scottsdale).  This is a free event for FOMA members and their guests.  Seating is limited, so get there a bit early.

THIS YEAR’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETINGS

Beginning in September, the Board of Directors will meet the first Thursday of each month instead of the first Tuesday.   So  - the next Board meeting will be on Thursday, September 2, at the home of Michael Tomlinson.  The meeting will begin at 7:30 pm.

BOOK CLUB

The first Book Club meeting for the  year will be on Tuesday,  September 21, at 1:00 pm at the home of Kotzie Wheeler.  The book to be discussed is The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver.    This novel covers the 1930’s and 40’s in Mexican politics and features Diego Rivera and Frieda Khalo as central characters.  New members are always welcome, so call Kotzie if you are interested.

COMING UP - DAY OF THE DEAD AT MESA ARTS CENTER - DONATIONS NEEDED

Last year our booth at the Day of the Dead Celebration at Mesa Arts Center was hugely successful, due to our “garage sale”.  This was the selling of items (art, books, accessories and even clothing of Mexican/Latin American theme) donated by our members.  We plan to do the same thing again this year, so if any of you have items to donate, contact Sarah Maresco at 602-861-1129.   

TRAVEL OPPORTUNITIES

•Architecture of Mexico City and Puebla (Barragan, Legorreta, O’Gorman, Norton and others):  October 14 - 21, 2010;  contact Jean Grimm (480-730-1764 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) 

•Day of the Dead in Patzcuaro:  October 28 - November 4, 2010;  through LADAP;  contact Cathey Merrill (713-253-3537 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) for more information

•Chiapas  (Palenque,  weavings, painted gourds, native costumes, gorgeous scenery):  November 29 - December 7, 2010;  contact Jean Grimm (480-730-1764 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) 

•Yucatan - Pyramids and Haciendas (Cancun to Merida, archaeological sites, murals, museums crafts and more):  December 10 - 17, 2010; contact Jean Grimm (480-730-1764 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) 

DATES TO REMEMBER

September 2 Board Meeting at the home of Michael Tomlinson;  7:30 pm ( remember it’s on Thursday instead of Tuesday! )

September 12 Beginning of the Year party at the Talking Stick Golf Club;  6 - 8 pm

September 17 FOMA/SMOCA Collaboration:  author Susan Vogel discusses her book,  Becoming Pablo O’Higgins;  Scottsdale Center for the Arts - Stage 2;  2 pm

September 21 Book Club discusses The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver at the home of Kotzie Wheeler; 1 pm

October 30/31 Day of the Dead at Mesa Arts Center;  donations needed - see above

November 20 Casa de Navidad -  a success last year so we’re doing it again;  at the home of Andrea Robinson from 2 - 6 pm