Museum Honors Mexicans In The Arts

 CHICAGO  -- The National Museum of Mexican Art (NMMA), the largest Latino cultural organization in the U.S. and the only Latino museum accredited by the American Association of Museums, has announced the honorees for its First Annual Revolucionarios Awards; an exclusive celebration honoring the contributions of distinguished Mexican artists and acknowledging the Bicentennial and Centennial milestones of Mexico's Independence and Revolution.

"The significant contributions of Mexican artists to our great city and nation deserve applause and recognition," said NMMA President and Chief Executive Officer, Carlos Tortolero.  "It is through the work of artists, such as our own 'Revolucionarios,' that communities are transformed, generations inspired, and the heart of our beautiful culture kept alive throughout history."

The awards ceremony debuts by honoring three nationally recognized artists of Mexican and Mexican-American descent known and admired for their contributions within disciplines ranging from the Visual Arts, Theatre, and Music.  The 2010Revolucionarios Honorees are:

• Alejandro Romero – Painter and muralist hailing from the state of Tabasco in Mexico, whose works of art exploded onto the Chicago scene in the 1980s.
• Victor Pichardo – Music Director for GRAMMY-nominated sextet, Sones de Mexico.
• Tanya Saracho – Former director and founder of Teatro Luna, she is now a resident playwright at the Chicago Dramatists and Teatro Vista.

The 2010 NMMA Honorees were selected by the NMMA Board of Trustees and Members of the Revolucionarios Awards Host Committee, which is comprised of nearly 30 high-ranking professionals from a variety of public and private organizations, media entities, and marketing/communications groups.

"Revolucionarios is meant to celebrate our historic past, while at the same time reaching the next generation of Latino leaders and engaging them in the work of the NMMA. We will continue to create events and experiences to share the spirit of the Museum with diverse audiences everywhere," said Marty Castro, Chair of NMMA's Board of Trustees. "An important event such as this could not be made possible without the special support of our presenting sponsors Comcast and the Hyatt Hotels Corporation as well as our supporters: the Chicago White Sox, The San Jose Group, Smartechs, and The Business Press."

The 2010 Revolucionarios Awards will be held November 18 on the stage of the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.  A $100 individual donation includes a one-year membership to the NMMA.

About NMMA

The NMMA is the largest Latino cultural organization in the U.S. and the only Latino museum accredited by the American Association of Museums. With over 6,500 pieces in its Permanent Collection, one of the largest collections of Mexican art in the U.S., the Museum serves Chicago's 1.4 million Mexicans and draws visitors from more than 60 countries each year.