Field Trip Fun in Pilsen

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, the CYC 21st AVE Program recently took an exciting field trip to the National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago's vibrant Pilsen neighborhood. This educational outing provided CYC children with a fun opportunity to immerse themselves in Mexican art, culture, and traditions! 

The adventure began before even stepping inside the museum. These explorers went on a walking tour of nearby murals, which are a famous, colorful tradition in the neighborhood. These giant art pieces served as a perfect preview of the vivid visual culture we would explore inside of the museum! 

During their museum visit, the children’s favorite part was the Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) exhibit. They were fascinated to learn about this important Mexican tradition that honors deceased loved ones. The exhibit featured ofrendas (altars) decorated with beautiful and fun photos, favorite foods, and mementos of the deceased. The young art aficionados loved seeing the many intricate sculptures that represented ancestors and what each person loved to do during their lifetime! This immersive experience gave children a chance to understand how cultures celebrate and remember those who have passed on, just in time for the holiday on November 1st. 

The junior investigators also loved to see how these exhibits tied to their lives in Chicago. This city is known for its many talented musicians who connect people and shape the world around them through their music. One musician who greatly influenced Chicago was José Cruz Alba. We learned that Alba was an immigrant from Durango, Mexico, who played a pivotal role in bringing mariachi to the forefront of Chicago's music scene. After many kids heard mariachi music for the first time that day, they were excited to uncover its importance to the history of their hometown. They discovered the story of Mariachi Potosino, the band Alba founded in 1958 that continued to perform all the way until 2019, leaving an unforgettable mark on the city's culture. As we left, we noted how amazing it was that one person could have such a wonderful, lasting effect on the community. 

This field trip offered these CYC adventurers an amazing opportunity to engage with Mexican culture and traditions! The museum mavericks were able to gain understanding and appreciation for the impact that many Mexican-American people had and continue to have on Chicago's history. CYC provides enriching experiences like these to help children see how amazing different cultures are and to feel proud of their own heritages, too 

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