Fall 2012 | Issue Seventeen |
This year I made a very difficult decision – to discontinue the Arte Maya Calendar after eleven years. I considered passing it on, but every scenario also included significant involvement on my part. The calendars took up much of my time during the year, and took time away from focusing on the Maya artists. I will now refocus this energy on exhibitions of the paintings and publishing material on the Maya Artists. My first effort, a free e-book, I offer (below) in this issue of the newsletter. For those of you looking for a 2013 Maya/Guatemala calendar, there are links and information at the bottom of this newsletter.
Joseph Johnston | |
| |
In this issue: | |
| |
Volcán de Fuego Eruption | |
The Volcán de Fuego, one of three active volcanoes in Guatemala, erupted the 12th of September, 2012. This is the biggest eruption since the 1940s. Authorities evacuated around ten thousand people. The eruption has already subsided, and volcanologists had predicted a short duration. The photos at the top of the page and above are the most dramatic that I could find of the current eruption. Click on them for larger images. Follow this link to a Prensa Libre article and video on the eruption. | |
| |
Free E-Book:
Raices: This book traces the influences both Maya and Spanish, that influenced the Tz'utuhil Maya culture from which the contemporary Tz'utuhil painting movement blossomed. The book has 19 original illustrations, and is 26 pages long. Available in two digital formats.
I have tested the two formats on my computer, an iPad, and iPhone. There may be other devices on which it does not display correctly. Please let me know if you have a problem on your device so that I can correct it or make another version for this and future publications. Please feel free to share this book. | |
| |
I highly recommend this article from ProPublica. It is one of the most compelling personal histories I have come across. by Sebastian Rotella, ProPublica, and Ana Arana, Fundación MEPI May 25, 2012, 6:59 a.m. Chapter 1: 'You Don't Know Me' | |
| |
Featured Artist: Julian Coche Mendoza Two weeks ago, Arte Maya acquired ten paintings by Julian Coche Mendoza. To help promote Julian for anyone who isn't familiar with his work, all Julian Coche paintings (including these ten) will be on sale for 33% off until Day of the Dead (November 2, 2012.) | |
| |
Taa' P'it: Taa' P'it Kortees, an Intercultural Learning Center for Tz’utuhil Mayan children, is a unique, Mayan-founded non-profit in San Pedro la Laguna in the Highlands of Guatemala. Taa’ Pi’t serves 120 students between 6 and 11 years old with programs in: computer technology and ecological education founded in the Mayan cosmovision and built on the strengths of the Maya culture. These programs change the capabilities and attitudes of the children, influencing their families and the community, and help strengthen the Maya Tz'utuhil cultural heritage. | |
| |
Journey to the Heart of Guate-Maya Guatemala 2012 December 16 – 28, 2012.San Pedro La Laguna, Lake Atitlan, Guatemala An extraordinary journey to a Mayan village on Lake Atitlan in the Guatemalan Highlands This trip benefits Taa' P'it and The Compassionate Listening Project For information contact: Journey to the Heart of Guate-Maya “When choosing between two paths, ask yourself which one has heart. Who chooses the path of the heart is never wrong.” Popol Vuh, the sacred Quiche Mayan book of creation. | |
| |
Casa Rosario Spanish School Videos
Casa Rosario Spanish school has added four short videos to their website that provide a glimpse of life in San Pedro la Laguna. The third one is a favorite because it shows what it is like to live with a Maya family. | |
| |
US Marines/Guatemala Anti-drug Operation
Huffington Post had an article about a United States Marine operation in Guatemala to provide military assistance to the Guatemalan government with the drug war. In light of the history of United States military involvement in Guatemala, and the atrocities carried out by the Guatemalan military during the 1980s, many people have expressed concern about this operation. | |
| |
Maya Calendars
For ten years NISGUA supported the Arte Maya Calendar by paying for and selling half of the print run. Without NISGUA's help the calendar would only have lasted one year. This year they have published a 2013 calendar of photographs of Maya Guatemala. The sale of their calendar funds much of their operating expense for the year. The work of NISGUA promotes human rights in Guatemala. ******* Shihoho Nikawa has produced a retrospective 2013 Arte Maya Calendar. Shihoho was the NISGUA contact who worked with me on the Arte Maya calendar for many years. Shihoho’s 2013 calendar, in Japanese and English, consists of paintings that were published in earlier editions of the Arte Maya Calendar. The calendar includes the Maya glyphs for every day. Although the calendar is primarily intended for Japanese audiences, readers here can purchase copies directly from Shihoho. Because of the exchange rate between the dollar and the yen, it will cost $25 plus $8 shipping. If interested contact Shihoho at recom@jca.apc.org. | |
| |
Links
Calendars:
E-book download: |