“Latino Impressions: Portraits of a Culture”, through June 3, and “Poetas y Pintores: Artists Conversing with Verse”, through April 29, are two new high caliber exhibits featuring Latino artists and themes at the Lubeznik Center for the Arts.

Latin Dance classes with Larry Payne, in collaboration with Alembic Artistic studio, are underway beginning April 5 through May 31. It is not too late to learn to salsa! Call today for reservations.

On April 10 at 7:00 pm see “Diego Rivera: I Paint What I See” a documentary film tracing the artist’s career, from childhood in Guanajuato through Rivera’s years as a cubist in Paris, to his fame as a muralist in Mexico & the United States, as well as an exploration of the stormy 25-year relationship with another celebrated Latino painter, Frida Kahlo. $5 donation, members free.

April 15 at 11:00 am, weavers Eric & Janet Chavez from the Oaxaca Valley in Mexico will demonstrate their natural dyeing technique at the Lubeznik Center for the Arts. Natural dyeing is a process that is utilized by only about 10% of village weavers. It is a much more expensive and labor intensive process, but the result is more subtle and permanent color. $3 donation, members free. Additionally, on April 20 from 4:00 – 8:00 pm, the Chavez’s will demonstrate their loom weaving technique. This demonstration is a partnership between the Lubeznik Center and LaPrairie Farm and will take place at 2215 E. 350 N. in LaPorte County. At both demonstrations their one-of-a-kind Zapotec rugs will be available for purchase. More information about the Chavezs’ is available on our website.

In conjunction with the “Latino Impressions” and “Poetas y Pintores” exhibits and in honor of National Poetry Month, the Lubeznik Center will be hosting a special event “In Celebration of Poetry” on April 26 at 7:00 pm. A panel of distinguished literature and poetry professors from the University of Notre Dame, St. Mary’s College and Columbia College of Chicago will examine and illuminate poetry in its historical and contemporary styles and genres. The panel will be moderated by cultural advocate Allen Turner, Chairman of the Board of Columbia College. Readings by the Three Oaks, MI Poet Laureate and other recognized regional poets will follow the panel discussion. $5 donation, members free.

Mexican Dances performed by Ballet Folklorico Azul y Oro will be at the Center on Sunday April 29 at 2:00 pm. Sixteen student dancers from St. Mary's College and the University of Notre Dame, will perform five traditional dances of Mexican folklore from the regions of Yucatan, Jalisco, Chiapas, and Vera Cruz. $3 donation, members free

Programs continue into June with a Linocut Print Demonstration by artist René Hugo Arceo, an artist represented in “Poetas y Pintores” exhibit, on June 2 starting at 10:00 am. Arceo is a graduate of Printmaking from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. He explores a number of issues concerning humanity represented through figurative elements and eclectic styles. His constant, innovative search for a pictorial method to break away from illusion gives his work great impact. $3 donation, members free. Photo above: "Spiritual Dancer" Linocut by Rene Hugo Arceo.

Planning a trip to a Spanish Speaking country? Looking to communicate more effectively with Spanish Speaking co-workers? Dr. RoseAnna Mueller teaches "Conversar sin parar", an intermediate conversation class designed for those who took a year or two of Spanish in high school or college and want to polish their conversational skills for work, travel, or pleasure. Classes will be held from 7:00 to 8:00 pm Mondays & Wednesdays from June 4 – July 11 (skipping July 2 &4). Students must purchase textbook “Basic Spanish Grammar” by Jarvis, Legro, & Mena-Ayllon. (a used copy is fine, available on Amazon.com). Fee $65 - Please call ahead, registration is required.

Also on exhibit through June 3 in the upstairs Brincka Gallery is “Robert Stanley: Oversoul”, a member of the Area Artists Association, and “Image Makers” featuring the photographs by the Michigan City Boys & Girls Club in the Library Gallery through April 29.

All programs (except the weaving demonstration on April 20) will be held at the Lubeznik Center for the Arts at 101 W 2^nd St. in Michigan City, IN. All times listed are Chicago time. Visit www.lubeznikcenter.org or call 219-874-4900 for more details.

“Latino Impressions” educational programming is generously sponsored by Unity Foundation of LaPorte County with exhibition support from McDonald’s Hispanic Owner-Operators Association and WNIT television.

“Poetas y Pintores” is a collaborative project sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts, initiated by the Center for Women's InterCultural Leadership at Saint Mary's College and the Institute for Latino Studies at the University of Notre Dame.