Gabriela Marvan grew up in Cuernavaca, Mexico and now lives in Viroqua, WI. She studied under a master of cartoneria, an art form that came to Mexico from Spain in the 19th century. Using structures of wire, reed frame or clay molds, she applies layers of paper and creates a texture that is smoother and stronger than typical papier-mache.
Many of Gaby’s sculptures celebrate the Day of the Dead. Marvan creates Catrinas (dressed skeleton ladies), Judases (decorated devils), skulls and skeletons. Gabriela is co-founder of the Folk Art Collective, a project that showcases the cultural diversity of Mexico and demonstrates how art relates to traditions.
Julián Adem Díaz de León - Head Consul, Mexican Consulate of Milwaukee
rank of Minister. Mr. Adem has a long and solid professional background of more than three decades in the areas of consular services, documentation, protection and attention to Mexican communities outside of Mexico. Throughout his professional career he has collaborated with different areas of the Government of Mexico, particularly in the tourist arena.
Dinorah Marquez - Director of the Latino Arts Strings Program
Dinorah Márquez was born in Mexico City. At the age of 10, she immigrated with her family to El Paso, Texas, where she began her musical studies. Marquez completed her undergraduate studies at Northwestern University, with a minor in International Studies at the University of Florence, Italy. She later worked as Assistant Press Secretary for Mayor Harold Washington in Chicago. After several years, she returned to her musical activities both in the U.S. and Mexico, where she was a guest performer with the Filarmónica del Bajío in Guanajuato, the Orquesta de Mexico in Mexico City, and the Camerata del Estado de Veracruz.
Marquez founded an ethnomusicology project, which continues to this day. It focuses on the preservation of indigenous violin traditions in Xico, Veracruz, Mexico. Marquez established the national award winning Latino Arts Strings Program (LASP). The LASP has given her the opportunity to provide immigrant Latino children with the type of musical training she received as an immigrant child.