Guatemalan Artesania

During September, National Hispanic Heritage Month, visit the library lobby to view a unique collection of traditional Guatemalan artwork on loan from Jiff Cornwell! The collection includes small hand-carved wooden sculptures called “hondas”(slingshots!), paintings, textiles, and beaded creatures.  

You are invited to join Jiff Cornwell for a discussion about her collection on Sunday September 14, from 2-4 PM. Guatemala has a strong history in textiles, but little is known about the smaller wooden works of art, Hondas, graciously on loan to us.  Jiff will share information about this wonderful and rapidly changing country and its creative people.

Jiff is a longtime Portsmouth resident with many ties to the community, most specifically the Arts community. She lived and worked in Guatemala for 10 years and has always planned to share the many pieces of traditional art and textiles she purchased as a way to support the local artisans. She hopes that the collection will one day reside in Guatemala as a permanent collection in one of their museums.

Registration is not required to view the exhibit or attend the Guatemalan Art discussion on September 14. Join us!