The University of New Mexico

NEWS RELEASE


Contact: Carolyn Gonzales 277-5920
cgonzal@unm.edu

Jan. 18, 2007

Cultural heritage of Colombia is focus of new LAII exhibit

The University of New Mexico Latin American and Iberian Institute features a new exhibit, “Carnaval de Barranquilla,” a photo exhibition on the cultural heritage of Colombiaby Jerry Sutherlin. In conjunction with the exhibit, a reception is scheduledon Friday, Feb. 2 at noon at the LAII, 801 Yale NE on the UNM campus. The exhibit will be up through Wednesday, Feb. 28.

The Carnaval of Barranquilla is a permanent feature of Colombia’s vibrant cultural diversity, including indigenous, African and European influences in music, dance, theater and art. Faced with the threat of increasing commercialization, local organizers of the Carnaval of Barranquilla have gained legal protection for their cultural heritage and, since 2003, are supported through “Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity,” a UNESCO program.

Sutherlin has lived in Barranquilla since 1975 and has photographed many aspects of Colombian culture and society. He currently also lives in Cloudcroft, N.M. He has a bachelor’s degree in color theory and in industrial and scientific photography from Brooks Institute of Photographic Arts in Santa Barbara, Calif.

For more information, call Vickie Madrid Nelson at 277-2961 or email vnelson at unm.edu.

###

The University of New Mexico is the state's largest university, serving more than 32,000 students. UNM is home to the state's only schools of law, medicine, pharmacy and architecture and operates New Mexico's only academic health center. UNM is noted for comprehensive undergraduate programs and research that benefits the state and the nation.

www.unm.edu