Reweaving a Life - alumni presentation, Feb. 26, 2008

"Reweaving a Life" exhibit inspires, informs

On Feb. 26 more than 100 U of C alumni attended a special reception at Calgary's Glenbow Museum to celebrate the opening of the "Reweaving a Life" exhibition. The exhibit of basket weavings and original art from Tlamacazapa, an indigenous Mexican village, was organized by alumna Susan Smith, BN'75, PhD'95. Smith, who spends much of each year in Mexico working to better the lives of the villagers through an organization she founded a decade ago, accompanied several artists and weavers to Calgary to deliver a special presentation on the villagers' lives and their art.

Two of the Mexican artists explained their art and Susan provided the translation. Four Nahua women sat on the floor or on small chairs weaving; some guests were given woven baskets and Christmas ornaments.

Following Smith's presentation the alumni group enjoyed a private viewing of "Reweaving a Life", which runs until September 28, 2008 at the Glenbow as part of the larger exhibition Honouring Tradition: Reframing Native Art.

In 1997 Susan founded the organization Caminamos Juntos para Salud y Desarrollo which means, literally, "Walking Together for Health and Development." To learn more about Susan and her work in Tlamacazapa, see U magazine's feature article.