SACBE: Pathways of Connection | 2023/2024 BIPOC Curatorial Fellowship Exhibition

The EAC is proud to announce the 2023/24 BIPOC Curatorial Fellow is Gustavo Herrera Yepez. Yepez has curated SACBE: Pathways of Connection, creating an exhibition with a rich tapestry of cultural significance and meaningful exploration.

Across Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, the ancient Maya civilization engineered an extraordinary network of raised, white-plastered paved roads known as sacbe. Far more than a thoroughfare, a sacbe served as a vital artery, linking major ceremonial centers and cities across the dense jungle landscape. SACBE: Pathways of Connection presents parallels between the contemporary Mayan community of the Yucatan Peninsula and our local communities. Showcasing traditional Mayan weaving alongside contemporary fiber art, the exhibition delves into the intricate ways communities harness the power to address and highlight pressing societal and environmental issues.

Originally a photography project, SACBE: Pathways of Connection was conceived with the vision of creating a space that bridges communities, much like the ancient sacbe that connected disparate corners of the Mayan kingdom. Embodying that ethos, this exhibition brings together two distinct countries and cultures, providing a lens into the similar ways they confront and address societal and environmental issues. More than just a Mayan road, a sacbe is a symbol of communication, of a spiritual journey, of trading cultures, and of pathways to possibilities. Celebrating the richness of cultural diversity and the enduring spirit of the Mayan people, SACBE: Pathways of Connection links us to the past and to each other. It seeks to inspire new ways to build stronger, more connected communities that recognize the beauty of our shared human experience.

SACBE: Pathways of Connection | 2023/2024 BIPOC Curatorial Fellowship Exhibition will be exhibited in the First Floor Gallery of the Art Center. The opening reception is free and open to the public. This exhibition is partially funded by the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency, and the EAC’s general membership.

Evanston Art Center, a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization, is dedicated to fostering the appreciation and expression of the arts among diverse audiences. The Art Center offers extensive and innovative instruction in broad areas of artistic endeavor through classes, exhibitions, interactive arts activities, and community outreach initiatives.

Evanston Art Center is located at 1717 Central St., Evanston, IL. Evanston Art Center Gallery Hours: Monday–Thursday, 9 am–6 pm; Friday, 9 am–5 pm; Saturday & Sunday, 9 am–4 pm. First and second floor gallery spaces are accessible. Limited free parking is available.