Art & Books: The Seeds of Dreams

10/06/23

Summit County Library is proud to partner with Breck Create and Mountain Dreamers for an art exhibition by Stephanie Mercado on display at Old Masonic Hall from October 6 - November 26, 2023.

Inspired by the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago's reading room, the vision of this project is to provide our community with a display of books for check-out and a reading list to learn and enjoy, in conjunction with the beautiful artwork on display. 

Who is Stephanie Mercado?
 

Stephanie Mercado is an interdisciplinary artist and art administrator, born and raised in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, to a family of self-taught artisans. Stephanie grew up spending time in her family’s upholstery business, her mother’s fabric store, and around seamstresses, carpenters, and craft workers. Her artwork and artistic practice are centered on the workforce, manual labor, and empowerment. Her imagery is eclectic, inspired by lived experiences, cultural references, and the fusion of traditional printmaking with experimental practices.

Stephanie Mercado es una artista interdisciplinaria y administradora de arte, nacida y criada en Boyle Heights, Los Ángeles, en una familia de artesanos autodidactas. Stephanie creció pasando tiempo en el negocio de tapicería de su familia, en la tienda de telas de su madre y rodeado de costureras, carpinteros y artesanos. Su obra de arte y práctica artística se centran en la fuerza laboral, el trabajo manual y el empoderamiento. Su imaginería es ecléctica, inspirada en experiencias vividas, referencias culturales y la fusión del grabado tradicional con prácticas experimentales 

What is The Seeds of Dreams?

The Seeds of Dreams is a tribute to the vibrant Latine communities of Summit County, Colorado, shining a spotlight on the unwavering dedication and resilience of Latine workers quietly working behind the scenes to establish roots and harvest dreams. Through a series of portraits, this exhibition pays homage to individuals who contribute to the fabric of society, toiling in the food industry, maintenance, and nonprofit sectors, tirelessly advocating for workers’ rights, and striving for a just, equitable, and inclusive world.

Stephanie Mercado, Hacienda Restaurant, 2023

Las Semillas de los Sueños es un tributo a las vibrantes comunidades Latinas del Condado de Summit, Colorado; que resalta la inagotable dedicación y entereza de los trabajadores Latinos, que laboran silenciosamente detrás de bastidores para sembrar sus raíces y cosechar sus sueños. A través de una serie de retratos, esta exhibición rinde homenaje a individuos cuya contribución forma parte importante de la sociedad, trabajando duro en la industria alimentaria, de mantenimiento, en sectores sin fines de lucro, abogando incansablemente por los derechos de los trabajadores, y luchando por un mundo justo, equitativo y de inclusión. 

Learn More about the Exhibit Here 

What special events are happening?

OPENING RECEPTION + ARTIST TALK

Friday, Oct 13 • Old Masonic Hall
5:30pm – Doors open • Live music featuring Javier de los Santos
6pm – Artists talk

Viernes, 13 de Oct • Antiguo Salón Masónico
5:30pm – Abren las puertas • Música en vivo presentando a Javier de los Santos
6pm – Hablan los Artistas

Where can I find the art exhibition ?

Old Masonic Hall 136 S Main St, Breckenridge, CO 80424

Where can I find the book display?

Two blocks away at the South Branch Library, 2nd Floor, 103. S Harris. Breckenridge, CO - next to the  fireplace

Recommended Reading List:

Click the link to place a hold through our catalog or see if it is digitally available on Hoopla or Libby.

*Recommended by the artist

• The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho*
• The Jungle by Upton Sinclair *
• Across the Wire by Luis Alberto* Urrea
• By the Lake of Sleeping Children by Luis Alberto Urrea*
• The Dream Life of Sukhanov by Olga Grushin*
• Ninth Street Women by Mary Gabriel*
• The Wisdom of Insecurity by Alan W. Watts*
• Our Migrant Souls by Hector Tobar 
• Tightrope: Americans Reaching for Hope by Nicholas Kristof
• The Soul of a Woman on Impatient Love, long life and good witches by Isabel Allende
• Maid: Hard work, low pay and a mother’s will to survive by Stephanie Land 
• Just Like Us- the true story of four Mexican girls coming of age in America by Helen Thorpe
• The Devil’s Highway by Luis Urrea 
• The Undocumented Americans by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio
• Solito by Javier Zamora
• The Death and Life of Aida Hernadez by Aaron Bobrow-Strain
• The Queens of Animation the untold story of the women who transformed the world of Disney and made cinematic history by Nathalia Holt
• The Boy, the mole, the fox and the horse by Charlie Mackesy
• The Sun is also a star. by Nicole Yoon

Questions? 
For Breck Create: Email Drea at drea@breckcreate.org
For Summit County Library: Email Sarah at Sarah.Hulsey@summitcountyco.gov