The Branigan Cultural Center is excited to announce a new exhibit Tlazoh Amoxochitl: Florecimiento del Conocimiento Preciosos: Flowering of Precious Knowledge featuring artwork that investigates pre-Hispanic Mesoamerican cultural traditions painted by K-5 students at the Raices del Saber Xinachtli Community School.

This engaging exhibit presents 43 paintings that represent the young students’ interpretations of pre-Hispanic stories and legends of Mesoamerica. Drawing from oral traditions, the students were exposed to stories in school about how corn was created, how a girl and a monster produced the cacao tree, and the symbolism of death and resurrection found in the change of caterpillars to butterflies. From these stories, the K-5 students created a wide range of artwork. Objects that are used to process corn and cacao beans are part of the exhibition.

The Raices del Saber Xinachtli Community School offers a multicultural and bilingual curriculum that infuses indigenous Mesoamerican teachings and traditions in a child-centered dynamic. The artwork presented in the exhibit was created in an after-school program that was taught by teacher Diana Ginez during the spring 2024 semester.

Students and teachers from the Raices del Saber Xinachtli Community School will be in attendance. An Aztec dancing group will perform during the reception.

Dates: The exhibit opens on May 3 and runs through June 22, 2024. An opening reception is scheduled for Friday, May 3 from 5-7pm.

Hours: Tuesday through Friday from 10am to 4:30pm and Saturday 9am to 4:30pm.

Location: Branigan Cultural Center, 501 North Main Street, Las Cruces , NM.

There is no admission charge. The museum is accessible from RoadRUNNER Transit Route 1 Stop 1.

For additional information, visit the website at https://www.lascruces.gov/museums or call 575-541-2154.