El Interior Newsletter
1009 West Lynn,
Austin (512) 474-8680
www.elinterior.com
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January
2007 |
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Question of the Month: What is a milagro and what is it used for?
(scroll to the bottom for the answer) |
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In This Issue:
- Josefina & Demetrio Aguilar
- Collector's Corner
- Monthly
Drawing & Coupon
- Current & Upcoming Events
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| January Feature: Josefina & Demetrio Aguilar |
 Josefina Aguilar is perhaps one of the most collectable folk artists today. This month, we're featuring her whimsical Market Ladies (left) from her studio in Oaxaca, Mexico. These painstakenly painted little clay vendors sell a variety of wares - everything from iguanas, cats & chickens, to pots and pans - and we think you'll love them as much as we do, which is why we're offering, for the remainder of January, 15% off of these remarkable little figures (see below under "January's Special"). CLICK HERE to read about Josefina Aguilar and see the "Market Ladies".
We'll also show you works by Josefina's son, Demetrio Garcia Aguilar, another master Aguilar artisan with his own distinct style. His richly detailed figures (right) entice us with their intricacy, revealing tales historic and timeless, churning with fantasy and bordering on the frightening. CLICK HERE to read about Demetrio Garcia Aguilar and see our collection of his work.
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Marcia's Minute
 Happy
New Year!
Along with bringing in the New Year,
we are excited to be welcoming in a new manager, Amy
Morrow, as well. She will be bringing you these wonderful
new newsletters to enhance the sense of
community that we already feel among folk art
lovers & friends of El Interior, so stop by & say hello!
In addition, later this month, I'm off to Guatemala, so be sure to drop us a line if you have any special requests because I'm always happy to keep an eye open for specific items for you!
Saludos,
Marcia Lucas
Owner |
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| El Interior Mailbag |
Show us your project or collection! We'd love to feature YOU in an upcoming issue, so email us a project that you've done using our textiles or oilcloth, or your folk art collection, at amy@elinterior.com.
Also, we'd love to get your comments or questions, so submit them to the El Interior Mailbag to be featured in future issues of our newsletters! |
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Monthly Drawing!
Each month we will be holding a drawing for our email subscribers for a $50 gift certificate, so watch for it -
next month because you might see your name!
This month's winner is
Terri Myers
Do you know someone who loves folk art? CLICK HERE to send them a copy of this email and automatically enter them into the drawing!
As a bonus, you'll also get your
name entered twice in next month's drawing! |
January's Special!
This month, we're giving you
15% off
Josefina Aguilar's Market Ladies*
All you need to do is use the magic word "Guatemala" at checkout to receive the discount!
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| Collector's Corner |
Mary Ann Bosse
Collector
Austin, Texas
After years of surrounding herself with muted, soft color palettes, Mary Ann Bosse suddenly craved color after a life-changing event left her reeling with its impact. An evolution that she herself cannot fully explain, Mary Ann's sudden need for color vibrancy in her life turned her on to the vibrancy found in both the color, and culture, of Mexican folk art. 
Now, several years later after this personal transformation, her love for folk art and color can be seen everywhere in her formerly understated rooms. This month, we are pleased to bring to you this very special collection from this very special collector. CLICK HERE to view pieces from Mary Ann's collection.
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*offer not applicable to previous purchases or sale items. Offer good until 1/31/07 on one item per person. |
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| El Interior Current & Upcoming Events |
We are excited to announce an art exhibit for our very own David Mercado! David's new series of the Virgin of Guadalupe has been unveiled in San Antonio and runs until the end of January. Be sure to go see it!
Ruta Maya Riverwalk
107 E Martin
San Antonio 78205
(210) 223-MAYA (6292)
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January 26 & 27
El Interior will be at Le Garage, Palmer Events Center Exhibition Hall #1 from 11am to 6pm
January 27
El Interior will be at Central Market (N. Lamar at 40th St.) where Austin Friends of Folk Art & Austin Friends of Traditional Music will be showing Awareness Art. Multiple artists will be on display in the cafe and multiple bands will be playing throughout the day. |
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 Answer to the Question of the Month: In Spanish, milagro literally means miracle or surprise. Milagro also refers to an ancient aspect of Hispanic folk culture: small silver or gold votive offerings offered to a favorite saint as a reminder of the petitioner's particular need, or they are offered to the saint in thanks for a prayer answered.
The use of milagros is traceable to the Iberians who inhabited the coastal regions of Spain between the fifth and first centuries before Christ. The custom was then brought to the Americas, where it dove-tailed neatly with Native American religious practices, as the Native Americans had existing customs surrounding the use of amulets, talismans and votive offerings.
In Guatemala, as elsewhere, milagros are used as prayer offerings, but in addition, milagros have a talismanic function and are worn as part of women's chachales (silver chain necklaces with silver coin, coral, glass trade beads, etc). Certain bird and animal dijes in a woman's chachale may refer to her nahual—the bird or animal reflective of her personal spirit, her animistic alter-ego.
Milagros then are not solely religious items, nor are they only for collecting. They are part of the magical and symbolic past common to all cultures which continues to influence our lives today. Whether used traditionally or in modern ways, milagros are an ongoing part of a fascinating folk culture.
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