Above & Beyond Children’s Museum in downtown Sheboygan, which has hosted its inaugural Hmong heritage exhibit since spring 2023, is transitioning into a refreshed space showcasing the Mexican immigrant experience in the greater Sheboygan community.
Above & Beyond Children’s Museum (ABCM) is partnering with Gabriela Marván, a Mexican artist from Viroqua and co-founder of the Mexican Folk Art Collective, on the exhibit and programming. This exhibit will spend the next three years exploring Mexican folk traditions with Marván and members of the Mexican Folk Art Collective. Marván will talk about her work and vision for the exhibit on Sunday, May 4, 1-3 p.m.
The exhibit being created by Marván will be composed of two monumental traditional papier maché sculptures called alebrijes, an ofrenda altar during the Day of the Dead / Dia de los Muertos Celebration – Marván’s favorite tradition, and papel picado the traditional paper cut flags, according to a press release from ABCM. Workshops will educate attendees about the origin of the alebrijes, and the use of ofrenda altar to celebrate and remember loved ones who have passed. Museum goers will play the traditional game of loteria, explore traditional Aztec dance and host readers for bilingual storytimes, with the guidance of members from the Mexican Folk Art Collective.
“I am so excited about connecting with children and families through the Above & Beyond Children’s Museum partnership. Every time I see someone connect with my work, I feel hopeful that I am planting a small seed for a more multicultural and inclusive world,” said Marván in a press release. “I think diversity is the richness of a community and art is a perfect way to foster that. Through the Above and Beyond project, it feels like bringing a piece from Mexico to Wisconsin, sharing my art through my favorite tradition (Día de los Muertos) and the fantastical world of alebrijes, creatures based on the imagination of each cartonero or cartonera (artists who work with paper and glue). I am grateful for this opportunity.”
Above & Beyond Children’s Museum of Sheboygan County is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization located at 902 N. Eighth St. The Museum was established in 1993 and has served the children and families of Sheboygan and surrounding communities for over 30 years.
