Free "Olmec Trails Family Fiesta" at the MAC June 30

Mexican Cultural Center DuPage (MCCD) in coordination with Meztli Mexico and in partnership with the College of DuPage Public Art Project (COD) and the DuPage Convention & Visitors Bureau (DCVB) presents an exciting new project: “Olmec Trails: Culture and Legacy.” This new outdoor exhibit featuring 33 large, brightly colored, hand-painted renditions of iconic Mesoamerican sculptures will be displayed July through October 2024 predominantly throughout suburban Chicago’s DuPage County in an expansive exhibition highlighting the culture of the ancient Olmec civilization in a fresh and accessible way.

To celebrate the exhibition, a free “Olmec Trails Family Fiesta” celebration will be held at COD's McAninch Arts Center’s (MAC) Lakeside Pavilion, 425 Fawell Blvd., Sunday, June 30, 2-6 p.m. This family friendly event featuring live music by Mariachi Monumental, folkloric dance by Ballet Folklorico Quetzalcoatl, salsa dance lessons, face painting, food vendors and more is sponsored by College of DuPage Foundation. Attendees will have the opportunity to view the Olmec sculptures installed at COD and immerse themselves in the educational and informational display in the MAC lobby containing information on locations and artists and the mystery of the legendary Olmec people. More information is available at OlmecTrails.com.

Attendees to the "Olmec Trails Family Fiesta" can also catch the free public opening of CCMA's summer 2024 exhibition "Grid Luck " with remarks from the exhibition’s artist, Alberto Aguilar, and CCMA Curator, Justin Witte. With his fresh take on traditional art-making, Aguilar provides a new perspective on overlooked possibilities and explores the grid's role as both a generative and expansive tool, incorporating work from the College of DuPage Permanent Art Collection. More information is available at TheCCMA.org.