Join the Institute of the Americas to Celebrate Mexico's Pureprecha Women

Join the Institute of the Americas today to meet Guadalupe Hernández and Herlinda Morales from Michoacán, Mexico, view an inspiring trailer of the upcoming feature-length documentary Tierra Brillante (Brilliant Soil) by Galatea/Bulbo and enjoy an exhibit of photographs and beautiful hand-made traditional huanengos, embroidered linens and pottery.

Hernández founded Uarhi (woman in Purépecha), approximately 300 women from 23 communities that have come together to create a viable way to sustain their families. Morales is also a part of Uarhi.

The event is free and open to the public. Registration is suggested. Click here to register.

The event is at 6:30 p.m. It is being held in the Weaver Conference Center at the Institute of the Americas on UC San Diego’s campus at 10111 N. Torrey Pines Rd., La Jolla.

Tierra Brillante Synopsis:

By custom, thousands of artisans in Mexico still use lead-based glazes in their pottery without knowing the damage that this toxic element causes to their health.

Herlinda, an indigenous Purepecha potter, is one of the few artisans in her community who uses alternative lead-free glazes. Having achieved safer and healthier living conditions for her family, she faces the difficult task of finding a market for her impressive pieces.

But this does not dull her dreams of having her shop thrive and her brothers return from the United States to rejoin the family tradition.