<a title="Vejigante Panel Discussion Image" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/58941148@N03/11117094004/" rel=""><img class="alignleft" style="float: left;" title="Vejigante Panel Discussion Image" alt="Vejigante Panel Discussion Image" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7451/11117094004_9972176d2e_n.jpg" width="320" height="213" /></a>Panel discussion is on the meaning, contemporary interpretations, and significance of the vejigante figure in Puerto Rico's identity. The event will be moderated by Prof. José Lopez, Instructor, Adjunct Lecturer, University of Illinois at Chicago. Participating in the discussion will be the New York artists La Buruquena, Maria Dominguez and Marina Gutierrez, and retired educator and current Taller board member Maria E. Mills-Torres.

The concurrent exhibit brings together reinterpretations of a central figure in Puerto Rico’s culture - the Vejigante. Having evolved from a figure of mystery and mischief in carnivals and festivals in Puerto Rico, the Vejigante has developed into a symbol of cultural identity, resilience, and resistance. The artists in the exhibition La Buruquena, Miguel Caraballo, Raúl Ayala, Danny Torres, Marina Gutiérrez, Maria Dominguez, and Miguélàngel Ruíz range from the traditional to the contemporary, from the vejigantes as celebratory figures to iconic messengers of political, social and personal statements.

Learn more about the here

<a href="http://www.eventbrite.com/event/9333912985?ref=ebtnebregn" target="_blank"><img alt="Eventbrite - Panel Discussion, Vejigantes of Puerto Rico: Origins, Myths and Messengers" src="http://www.eventbrite.com/custombutton?eid=9333912985" /></a>