The Santa Barbara Center for Art, Science and Technology (SBCAST) is pleased to announce Cycle of Life, a solo exhibition of textile art by Zapotec master weaver Porfirio Gutierrez. The exhibition emphasizes the artist’s holistic and environmentally sustainable creative process. A short documentary on the artist by Ricardo Palavecino will also be screened. A reception for the artist will be held at SBCAST at 513 Garden Street, Suite E, on September 7, from 5:00-9:00 p.m. The artist will demonstrate his weaving techniques on his loom at the event. Gutierrez will deliver a formal presentation about his work on Wednesday, September 20, 6-8 pm in Suite E. The exhibition is curated by Maiza Hixson and will be on view by appointment through September 30, 2017.

In addition to his live weaving demonstration, the artist will teach a natural dyeing workshop on Monday, September 11, 6-8 pm at SBCAST in Suite E. The cost for the two-hour workshop is $50 per person and includes materials and supplies. Space is limited. Individuals may RSVP to the dyeing workshop at maizahixson@gmail.com. More information on the workshop and the exhibition can be found at www.sbcast.org.

Porfirio Gutiérrez is a proud descendant of many generations of Zapotec weavers from Teotitlán del Valle, in Oaxaca, Mexico. He currently lives in Ventura, California. While primarily an artist, Gutiérrez also lectures on Zapotec weaving and natural dyes at universities, arts foundations and museums. In 2015, Gutierrez was chosen by the Smithsonian Institute to be one of only four artists in the Western hemisphere to participate in its Artists-In-Leadership Program. Gutierrez also contributed to the Forbes Pigment Collection at Harvard University and continues to be an advocate, educator and ethnic ambassador for traditional Zapotec culture.

For press inquiries or more information, please contact SBCAST Co-Director and Curator Maiza Hixson at maizahixson@gmail.com.

 

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