Sometimes great things come in small packages. Take for instance the award-winning Spare Parts MINI ART MUSEUM (MAM). The mini museum concept sprang from the artistically fertile imagination of teacher and artist Gabriella Santiago, and Spare Parts founder and director Mary Elizabeth Cantú. Cantú explains the concept of MAM, “In the summer of 2013, during one of our many creative brainstorming sessions, the idea of the MINI ART MUSEUM arose as a unique solution to present meaningful fine art museum experiences where they are less accessible.”
This year the exhibit designed for Contemporary Art Month is delightfully entitled “Cabinet of Curiosities" and showcases original multimedia artworks created by fourteen artists from across the United States. Artworks submitted used recycled and/or natural materials and are displayed in portable, recycled binders. Dubbed #weeart, the tiny, but inviting art pieces deserve no less scrutiny than their larger counterparts.
The "Cabinet of Curiosities" experienced curator is San Antonio native Claudia Zapata. She received her BA and MA from The University of Texas at Austin in art history, specializing in Pre-Columbian and US Latino/Chicano art, and is currently pursuing her PhD at Southern Methodist University in the Rhetorics of Art, Space and Culture Program (RASC) in Art History. “This exhibition takes a look at the nature of the museum and its role in collecting and representing culture,” says Zapata
“Cabinet of Curiosities” and mini rummage sale with our tiniest treasures and antiques is opening at various places during Contemporary Art Month including:
Sunday, March 15, 2015, 11:00am - 5:00pm
Brick at Blue Star Arts Complex
108 Blue Star, San Antonio 78204
The Mini Art Museum is also available for school visits. Educational components include discussions around the artworks and hands-on small art projects all with the theme of creative reuse. Visit spare parts website for more information. Find out more about MAM on their Facebook page.