How to Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month at the Garden
September 15 to October 15 is National Hispanic Heritage Month, and we are excited to be offering several events for Garden visitors to attend and celebrate throughout September and October. See the complete list below and be sure to visit each event page for more details and to register for classes.
¡Feliz Mes de la Herencia Hispana!
Aug. 9 – Oct. 30 Healing Circles by Alfonso Perez Acosta
Healing Circles is a series of six MANDALAS by artist Alfonso Perez Acosta that represent alternative healing practices. Through large format and beautiful patterns, the artist shares these practices to allow the spectator to reflect on a variety of introspective, and empathetic approaches to one’s healing journey—creating a connection from within and with others. This exhibit is on display in the Kelly Education Center Community Art Gallery. Alfonso will also be teaching three classes inspired by his exhibit throughout the month of October (more info below).
Thursday, Sept. 12, 4:00 – 6:30 p.m. La Milpa y El Maguey (SOLD OUT)
Join Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden on the road as we explore Mexican Cuisine with Chef Danny Mena at Conejo. In 2010, UNESCO put Mexican cuisine on the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage, primarily because of the bean, the chile and corn. The evening will start with a talk by Chef Danny, who will focus on these delicious and versatile plants along with the farming practices that have been used for centuries to grow these amazing crops. Following the discussion, join Chef Danny for an elevated and delicious three-course dinner with paired cocktails, wine and coffee!
Tuesday, Sept. 26, 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. Mexican Cuisine with Pati Jinich
Join Pati Jinich, host and executive producer of the award-winning PBS Primetime docuseries La Frontera and the 4x Emmy nominated PBS daytime show Pati’s Mexican Table as she discusses the plants important to Mexican Cuisine. Note: this is an online webinar conducted via Zoom.
Wednesday, Oct. 4, 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. Bilingual Yoga
Through a slow flow, instructor Michelle Israel will guide you into a gentle practice that will help you connect with your own self and the community. Incorporating different tools like meditation, mudras, breath work, or essential oils, this class will allow you to feel grounded and find joy and peace in every day. Instruction will be provided in both Spanish and English.
Mediante una secuencia suave, la instructora Michelle Israel te guiará en una práctica calmada que te ayudará a conectar contigo mismo y con tu comunidad. Incorporando diferentes herramientas como la meditación, los mudras, la respiración, o los aceites esenciales, ésta clase te permitirá sentirte aterrizado y encontrar gozo y paz en cada día. La instrucción será tanto en inglés como en español.
Sunday, Oct. 8, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Healing Circles: Sound Baths and Meditation
In this workshop, guests start with an artist-led tour of Alfonso Perez Acosta’s mandala exhibit in the Kelly Education Center to learn about his two mandala paintings that connect to sound baths and meditation. Then we’ll explore the healing power of sound baths and experience a guided meditation practice, led by Michelle Israel.
CÍRCULOS SANADORES: BAÑOS DE SONIDO Y MEDITACIÓN
Esta clase comenzará con un tour guiado por el artista en el Kelly Education Center para aprender sobre dos pinturas de mandala de Alfonso Perez Acosta; conectándonos con los baños de sonido y la meditación. Después, aprenderemos acerca del poder sanador de los baños de sonidos y experimentaremos una práctica de meditación guiada por Michelle Israel.
Wednesday, Oct. 18, 6 – 8:00 p.m. Healing Circles: Ajiaco Soup and Healing Plants
In this bilingual (Spanish/English) workshop, we’ll start with an artist-led tour of the mandala exhibit in the Kelly Education Center to learn about Alfonso Perez Acosta’s two mandala paintings that connect to a Colombian soup called Ajiaco (representing the comforts of home, family and tradition) and healing plants. Then we’ll engage with the ingredients and flavors of Ajiaco soup and explore the basics of healing plants found in Virginia. We’ll roll our sleeves up as Alfonso guides each participant in creating your very own mandala or healing circle on canvas using different drawing and painting tools.
CÍRCULOS SANADORES: SOPA AJIACO Y PLANTAS MEDICINALES
En esta clase bilingüe (español/inglés), comenzaremos con un tour guiado por el artista en el Kelly Education Center para aprender sobre dos pinturas de mandala de Alfonso Perez Acosta; una de ellas nos conecta a una sopa tradicional colombiana-Ajiaco y la otra explora plantas medicinales de Virginia. Después, Alfonso guiara a cada participante a crear su propio mandala o círculo sanador en un lienzo utilizando diferentes herramientas de dibujo y pintura.
Thursday, Oct. 26, 6 – 8:00 p.m. Healing Circles: Hugs and Altars
In this workshop, we’ll start with an artist-led tour of the mandala exhibit in the Kelly Education Center to learn about Alfonso Perez Acosta’s two mandala paintings that connect to the healing power of hugs and altars. Then you’ll experience a guided reflection on the ways in which your own experience of hugs (rooted in the comfort of close, caring relationships) and altars (rooted in the realm of the sacred) have played a healing role in your life. We’ll roll our sleeves up as Alfonso guides each participant in creating your very own mandala or healing circle on canvas using different drawing and painting tools.
CÍRCULOS SANADORES: ABRAZOS Y ALTARES
Esta clase comenzará con un tour guiado por el artista en el Kelly Education Center para aprender sobre dos pinturas de mandala de Alfonso Perez Acosta; conectándonos al poder sanador del abrazo y los altares. Después, experimentaremos una reflexión guiada que nos llevará a interpretar de manera personal lo que es un abrazo (basado en lo que es la cercanía, y el cariño en las relaciones) y los altares (arraigándonos en el campo de lo sagrado), y el rol que estos han tenido en nuestras vidas. Más adelante, Alfonso guiara a cada participante a crear su propio mandala o círculo sanador en un lienzo utilizando diferentes herramientas de dibujo y pintura.
Sunday, Oct. 28, 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m Harvestfest Dia de los Muertos
Our celebration of Dia de los Muertos is a family-friendly event, with live performances by The Latin Ballet of Virginia and Kadencia, crafts and activities for kids in the Children’s Garden, and food from local vendors including My Empanada and Latin Quarter Kitchen. There will also be a craft market of Hispanic artisans sponsored by the Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.