When Ana Martinez was only 8 years old, her mother taught her the art of cross-stitching and crocheting, traditions she previously had passed on to Ana’s sisters.
“I learned by just watching my mom and my sisters,” said Mrs. Martinez, who grew up in Jalisco, Mexico. “You help yourself (financially) by selling these products, so you learn from an early age.”
Now the 30-year-old mother of two boys is doing the same with her oldest son, Jose Martinez, 9, who is eager to learn by her side.
IF YOU GO* What: Latino Arts Project kickoff* When: 3-5 p.m. Sunday* Where: St. Andrews Center, 1918 Union Ave.* Cost: Free* Information: 423-629-9872WHAT’S NEXT* Sept. 26: The Empanada Storytelling Hour, free empanadas and Latin folk stories.* Oct. 17: La Llorona Theatre Production, based on a popular Mexican folktale.* Nov. 7: Praise in Highland Park Spiritual music performance.CLASSES: $20 for each 8-week session* Aug. 3-Sept. 28 (6:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays): Spanish Guitar for Beginners* Aug. 5-Sept. 23 (6:30-7:30 p.m. Thursdays): Spanish Guitar Advanced* Aug. 6-Sept. 24 (6:30-7:30 p.m. Fridays): Salsa for Beginners* Sept. 1-Oct. 20 (6:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesdays): Mexican Folkloric Dance for Beginners
On Sunday, Mrs. Martinez and a group of five Mexican women will demonstrate and sell their work, while the Carlos Colon Puerto Rican musical trio performs during the kickoff of a new series of cultural programming in the St. Andrews Center.
The programming is designed to celebrate Chattanooga’s diverse Hispanic communities.
“This is a great awareness event and celebration for the Latino communities and community at-large,” said Liza Blair, Latino Arts Project director and folklorist.
“These are some art forms that, for many reasons, people have not been able to continue,” she said. “And when people are doing this type of work, it’s always nice to see it and promote it.”
The St. Andrews Center is a nonprofit that advocates for new immigrant and second-generation Americans in the community.
The Latino Arts Project was created four years ago to identify and document Hispanic traditional folk arts, said Mrs. Blair.
“I was looking for people who are singing traditional music, dance styles like some merengue, norteña, cumbia, ranchera, and people who were doing traditional cooking, (or) people making things with their hands such as piñatas, anything that was reflective of the culture,” she said.
Starting this week, there will be free presentations every month from artists that range from live music performers to storytellers. Dance and guitar classes also will be offered, she said.
The cultural programing will be a learning experience for the whole community, said Michelle Hayes, director of operations for the St. Andrews Center.
“People come from all different backgrounds, and to be able to connect together and understand each other through our cultures is always a good opportunity,” she said.