Cultural Explorations: “Intro to Central America” is FREE to the public
From HPL,
The Hornell Public Library is hosting Alma de Mexico of Teaching Artists ROC at the 5th Annual Maple City Fall Festival on October 12th for some exciting events. Both a crafting workshop for kids and an interactive dance performance will take place at the Hornell Community Arts Center during the festival.
Intro to Central America with Alma de Mexico is part of the Hornell Public Library’s Cultural Explorations project, made possible by a $3,865 Community Arts Grant administered by the ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes. The project aims to introduce the Hornell community to the varying cultures of different regions, including Central America, Native America, the Middle East, and Asia.
On Saturday, October 12th at 1 PM kids will be able to make their own paper puppets of the Feathered Serpent at the Central American Crafts for Kids workshop. Quetzalcoatl, known as the Feathered Serpent, was the creator god in the Aztec ancient belief system. His name comes from the Nahuatl words queztalli, meaning “tail feather of the quetzal bird” and coatl, meaning “snake”. Quetzalcoatl was also known in the Mayan culture as Kukulcan. Registration is required for the craft workshop due to limited supplies. Unless your kids are registered for the workshop, there is no guarantee they will be able to participate in the craft the day of the event. To register, please call the library at 607-324-1210.
Then at 3 PM, Alma de Mexico’s dancers will wield a 10-foot-long Quetzalcoatl puppet for a Quetzalcoatl: The Feathered Serpent performance where dancers will battle against the serpent while audience members will learn dance moves to protect the community from danger. Children who were able to make their own Feathered Serpent hand puppet will want to use it during this fun performance!
Both the workshop and performance are free and open to the public.
Future Installments of Cultural Explorations with the Hornell Public Library
The library’s cultural programming series will include the following upcoming programs:
Intro to Native America – November 2024: Native American Community Dance workshop with DAYSTAR. Celebrating Native American Heritage Month on Saturday, November 23rd at 1 PM. Call the library at 607-324-1210 to sign up.
Intro to the Middle East – March 2025: An Arabic lettering and design workshop with Nada Odeh to kick off Arab American Heritage Month in April!
Intro to the Middle East – April 2025: A sand mandala workshop with Katie Jo Suddaby to continue the celebration of Arab American Heritage Month in April!
Intro to Asia – May 2025: A Pipa musical performance and an Asian blue and white porcelain design-inspired craft workshop with Leah Ou to celebrate Asian & Pacific American Heritage Month in May!
This project is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrant program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes.
The Hornell Public Library is located at 64 Genesee Street, Hornell, NY. The library’s open hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM, Wednesday 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM, Friday 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM, and Saturday 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM. The library will be closed Monday, October 14th in observance of Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
