Northern Spark: Posters and Patches Pop-Up
Saturday, June 11, 9:00 p.m.–2:00 a.m.

On view in the M’s street-facing windows and Ecolab skyway entrance, Mestizaje: Intermix-Remix showcases the work of seven Latinx artists from the artist collective Grupo Soap del Corazón who are exploring questions of ancestry and what it means to claim a mixed-race identity consisting of both Indigenous and European descent.  

While the exhibition is entirely accessible from public space, the M is thrilled to be opening its doors for one night to celebrate Northern Spark! Register for a guided tour of Mestizaje with independent curator and educator William (Billy) G. Franklin who will lead you through the exhibition in Spanish and English. After the tour, head inside the museum to do some screen printing on fabric using designs created by Grupo Soap artists, and create a small patch to add to your favorite jacket, t-shirt, or tote. Embroidery floss, needles, and safety pins will be provided. Watch a series a short films by Xavier Tavera and pick up a limited edition Grupo Soap poster to add to your collection. 

Mestizaje: Intermix-Remix is curated by Dougie Padilla and Xavier Tavera, founders of Grupo Soap del Corazón and brings together the work of Marcela Rodríguez Aguilar, María José Castillo, Bobby Marines, Dougie Padilla, Maria Cristina Tavera, Xavier Tavera, and Vlocke Negro.  

Guided tours: 9:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Pre-registration required.
350 Robert Street North, St. Paul

Register for 9:30 p.m. tour here. 

Register for 10:30 p.m. tour here. 

For more information, email nariza@mmaa.org. This program is presented by the M as part of Northern Spark 2022, produced by northern.lights.mn.

Meet the Tour Guide: Billy Franklin

William G. Franklin “Billy” is an adjunct professor, bilingual educator and independent art curator. Franklin holds a Master of Liberal Studies with a minor in Art History from the University of Minnesota, his thesis work focused on the international scope of Surrealism. Franklin has curated more than a dozen exhibits locally and serves as panelist reviewing applications for grants and artist-in-residency programs. He volunteered for three years as a member of the Programing Advisory Board of the M and worked for a year as a bilingual educator for the Education Programs at the Walker Art Center. He is authoring and curating an upcoming Afton Press publication titled Latin Art in Minnesota–Conversations and What’s Next which will be published in Spring 2023. He is also a recurrent visiting instructor of Spanish at Carleton College.