Rosas y Revelaciones: A textile homage to the Virgin of Guadalupe

Hispanic Heritage Series – Part I of V

From the Publisher: LaVozColorado presents a five-part series on five Colorado nonprofits that perpetuate the Latino community’s culture and history. 

Museo de las Americas’ audiences will have the rare opportunity to experience Rosas y Revelaciones, a landmark exhibition featuring around ninety extraordinary textile works that reimagine Mexico’s most beloved icon, the Virgin of Guadalupe. Curated by Maruca Salazar, the exhibition opens on Thursday, October 16 at 6pm.

“Exhibition curator Maruca Salazar brings a profound understanding to this collection. As a Mexican curator herself, she possesses the cultural sensitivity necessary to honor these works that celebrate the indigenous traditions expressed by contemporary artists at Museo de las Americas,” mentioned Museo’s Executive Director Claudia Moran.

From the devotion Linda Hanna, founder of the collection, first witnessed as a child visiting Mexico in 1959 to her collaborations with master artisans across Oaxaca and sixteen other Mexican states, the collector’s vision has culminated in an unprecedented exhibition. Each work embodies both technical brilliance and profound spirituality.

The exhibition affirms the Virgin of Guadalupe’s lasting significance, which exceeds religious iconography. She is also an emblem of hope, identity, and resilience—woven into the fibers of many cultures across the world, but particularly in Latin America.

“What I have been looking for as venues for this collection, Rosas y Revelaciones, are places that have a high percentage of people of Mexican descent. Nearly a third of Denver’s population fits this description,” said Linda Hanna. “Historically, the Virgin of Guadalupe is the figure that embodied hope and love for the vanquished Mexican indigenous populations. Over the last five centuries, since her first appearance in 1531, she has become much more than just an important figure in the Catholic Church.”

The collection draws on Hanna’s decades-long passion for textiles and her life in Oaxaca, Mexico. “The idea for this collection evolved from my own interest in textiles. I also firmly believe that the most outstanding pieces of art have a spiritual component to them,” Hanna explains. “I have lived in Oaxaca, Mexico for almost three decades and have become closely involved with the artists. It turns out that the State of Oaxaca has more diversity of textile techniques than any other state in Mexico. I was interested to see how the most important Mexican icon would be accomplished using the different techniques.”

Moran added, “This collection offers a powerful representation of Mexico’s indigenous vision, deeply rooted in cultural syncretism—the beautiful fusion of indigenous and European religious traditions that emerged from their historic encounter. What makes this collection truly unique is its authenticity and the passion it embodies. These works reflect the profound devotion and ancestral beliefs that inspire these artists. The featured contemporary artists consider these pieces to be among their most significant works.”

The exhibition not only focuses on decorative textiles but also clothing, since, as Hanna puts it, “the Virgin was seen for the first time on a cloak.” Accessories such as bags, shawls and jewelry are also on view—“items worn close to the heart.”

Rosas y Revelaciones is more than an exhibition—it is a cultural bridge connecting generations, geographies, and traditions. By bringing together the visions of skilled artisans with the enduring presence of the Virgin of Guadalupe, Museo de las Americas invites audiences to reflect on the power of devotion, identity, and artistry to shape community. This landmark show underscores not only the significance of a cherished icon, but also the role of art in sustaining resilience and inspiring collective memory across borders.

Source: Museo de Las Americas