Guadalupe Tonantzin: Guide and Path Towards the Child Jesus” - A new art exhibit by Lalo Garcia

“Protectora de Migrantes” (“Protector of Migrants”) depicting the Virgin protecting monarch butterflies, known as a universal symbol of migration, is the centerpiece of the new 10-piece exhibit by Lalo Garcia titled “Guadalupe Tonantzin: Guía y Camino Hacia el Niño Jesús” (“Guadalupe Tonantzin: Guide and Path Towards the Child Jesus”)

The exhibit is located adjacent to the chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe, which houses the only known relic of the tilma or cloak of St. Juan Diego in the United States.
 
The exhibit features the debut of a new 30x40 acrylic on canvas painting by Garcia called “Protectora de migrantes” (Protector of migrants) depicting the Virgin protecting monarch butterflies, known as a universal symbol of migration, and it will be open to the public from December 3 through January 5, 2024. Admission is free.

Unlike the other art pieces in the installation, which were created at different stages of his career, “Protectora” – which Garcia dubbed “La Virgen Monarca” (“The Monarch Virgin”) – was completed two months ago and publicly revealed at the cathedral. The painting appears to show Guadalupe next to a wall, which Garcia said he painted to symbolize a border wall, but using an artistic style intentionally open to personal interpretation, “neither abstract nor classic realism.”

For 492 years, her image has been a symbol of unity, peace, compassion, and hope for people around the world.

The exhibit marks festivities leading up to the Cathedral’s annual “Las Mañanitas” celebration in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe on the evening of December 11, featuring indigenous dancers on the Cathedral Plaza, a special Rosary, and a Mariachi and musical tribute culminating with Mass at Midnight celebrated by Archbishop José H. Gomez.