News

News from Multicultural Education and Counseling through the Arts (MECA)

MECA:

Mariachi MECA named to 2009 American Masterpieces Touring Artist

MECA is pleased to announce that Mariachi MECA has been selected as a 2009 National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) America Masterpieces touring artist. Mariachi MECA is a youth ensemble that began in 1991 under the direction of Alfonso Guerra, a respected musician for over 50 years playing with such greats as Jose Alfredo Jimenez.

The NEA has placed a priority on touring and presenting the best in the arts, and with that they established the American Masterpieces program.

Mariachi MECA is one of only 25 outstanding Texas Artists from the current Texas Commission on the Arts (TCA) Company and Artist Roster chosen for inclusion in the American Masterpieces program.

MECA Alumna named the Official Artist for the 9th Annual Latin GRAMMY® Awards

The Latin Recording Academy® announced that Lizbeth Ortiz, MECA Visual Arts Coordinator, has been named the official artist of the 9th Annual Latin GRAMMY® Awards.

Ortiz, former MECA alumna, graduate of the High School for Performing and Visual Arts, and current MECA Visual Arts Coordinator was selected among 15 finalists. The artwork will be used as the official image of the 9th Annual Latin GRAMMY® Awards. Her work can be seen regularly on display at MECA.

MECA Continues Its Annual Tradition

MECA and GOYA proudly present the annual Día de los Muertos Festival: Honoring Our Past, Celebrating Our Future. The festival will be held November 1 through November 2, 2008.

Día de los Muertos is a traditional Latin American holiday that honors and celebrates the lives of family and friends who have gone before us. The common theme that runs through the two-day celebration is the belief that the dead return home, visit loved ones, and feast on their favorite foods. A playful mockery of death and a reaffirmation of life are demonstrated through music, dance, theatre, and visual arts.

The festival will feature foods and products by GOYA.

MECA Día de los Muertos Festival is held at MECA's colorful, art-filled campus located at the nationally recognized historic Dow School in Houston's Old Sixth Ward.