“Juan Quezada: Pioneer Potter of Mata Ortiz” Documentary Screening
Friday, April 5, 2024
Two screenings at 6 pm and 6:45 pm
Rio Grande Theater:
211 N Main St, Las Cruces, NM 88001
This short film documents one of the last recorded interviews before Juan Quezada’s passing in 2022. In the film, Quezada himself tells the story of his life, how he revived the ancient pots from the Paquimé site in Chihuahua Mexico, and how he was able to make a living as a potter–changing his life as well as the lives of the potters from Mata Ortiz. This screening is free and open to the public.
The film was made by Dina Perlasca, a Mexican-American artist and NMSU alumna. Dina teaches ceramics at The University of Texas at El Paso, she is part of the board of Artaxis and exhibits her work, nationally, and internationally. Her most recent solo exhibitions were at the Roswell Museum and at the Juarez Museum of Art.
Film credits:
Video Creator, Director and Editor: Dina Perlasca
Videographer: Bill Moore
Assistant to Director and local Casas Grandes liaison: Sandra Salaices
Assistant to Juan Quezada: Oscar Ortega (son in law)
Sponsor: NCECA
Sponsor: New Mexico State University Art Department
Poetry Workshop with Rodrigo Figueroa
Saturday, April 16; 5:30-6:30pm
Sandy Zane Bennett Collection Study Room (RM 106) in Devasthali Hall
Back by popular demand! The UAM proudly hosts a Poetry Workshop with Rodrigo Figueroa. Participants will explore methods and prompts to write their own poetry. Rodrigo Figueroa is an Assistant Professor of Spanish at New Mexico State University. He specializes in Mexican literature and creative writing. He has published two poetry books in Mexico and one in the United States. He has also published poetry in Spanish and English in multiple journals and magazines in both countries, including Latin American Literature Today. His drama La breve jornada [The Brief Day] was staged at Mexico's National University's theatre. A native of Mexico City, he enjoys riding the subway while writing stories about the people around him.