Not your normal Halloween masks: DSCC announces fall exhibit | Arts & Culture

Some are happy, some are sad, several are colorful, several are gorgeous, while others are grotesque and scary. All are part of an exhibition of 40 wooden masks from the Mask Museum in the Centro Cultural Antiguo Colegio Jesuita in Pátzcuaro, Michoacán, Mexico that will be on display at the Learning Resource Center on the Dyersburg campus of Dyersburg State Community College September 18 through October 5.

These masks were made in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors to symbolize and represent religious ideas and gods. They were used in rituals and indigenous ceremonies.

The exhibit is offered by The Tennessee Consortium for International Studies (TnCIS) and the Ministry of Culture of Michoacán, Mexico. DSCC will hold a reception for the community on Monday, September 24 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.

The exhibition, made possible by an agreement between TnCIS and the Ministry of Culture, represents the fourth exchange of art and culture between Mexico and the TnCIS community.

Dyersburg State has been a member of TnCIS since 2008. TnCIS is an academic association of 19 colleges and universities in the state of Tennessee seeks to enhance internationalization at all of its member institutions. This exhibition demonstrates the high level of cultural contribution made by Mexico, and especially by artists from the Michoacán area.

The study abroad division of TnCIS sponsors academic programs in 16 different countries.

To see images of the masks to be displayed as well as additional information about the mask-making and local culture, go to:

http://picasaweb.google.com/108452321171609125752/RitualMasksOfMichoacanKIISExhibition?feat=directlink#.

For more information, please contact International Studies Coordinator Jorge Lopez at 731/286-3377 or lopez@dscc.edu.