Auction to feature local artists

Visitors and residents alike Hill have a unique opportunity to acquire works by leading Oaxacan artists on Saturday, October 29th, at the Art Auction which will be held at the recently opened Museo de los Pintores Oaxaqueños, 607 Independencia at the corner of García Vigil.

The auction, a fund-raiser for the Oaxaca Lending Library, has received more than 100 works from painters, print makers, ceramicists, and private collections. As well as leading contemporary Oaxacan artists, the auction will include a Rodolfo morales print. The art will be available for public viewing at the Museum fro 2-8 p.m. on Friday, October 28th. The auction will start at 7 p.m. the following day with a reception with refreshments and music and a silent auction until 8:30 p.m. which will be followed by the live auction. Bidders should arrive early to register and receive their bidding cards. Payment can be made by cash, VISA, or MasterCard, and purchases should be collected that evening. Many of the works may be viewed online at www.oaxlibrary.com/auction.htm

The Oaxaca Lending Library which celebrate its 40th anniversary next year, is one of the largest English libraries in Mexico with more than 30,000 books, VHS/DVD rentals, audiotapes, a friendly patio coffee shop with a extensive bulletin board, English/Spanish classes, a weekly bilingual children´s story hour, a monthly Latin American book discussion group, holiday get-togethers and special events, and community outreach programs. The library also has a large selection of books for sale and soon will publish a directory of expatriates. Located at 519 Pino Suarez (1/2 block south of Llano Park), The Library is open 10-2 and 4-7 Monday through Friday and 10-1 on Saturdays. Visitor memberships are available for 1, 2 or 3 months. Information about the Library and upcoming events is available at www.oaxlibrary.com or call 518 7077.

The successful Libros Para Pueblos (Books for Villages) project, which operates under the library´s auspices, establishes libraries in rural Oaxaca where resources are scarce. Since its inception in early 1998, Libros has worked with 12 schools and 9 communities benefiting more than 3,000 students. Working with the town mayor or the school´s director, the teaching staff, and parents, foreign and Oaxacan program members explain the library program, asking only that children have regular, open access to the library and that each child be allowed to take home any of the books available. The libros program buys the books and the village or school prepares the space, followed by a work session where the volunteer team and the local staff share ideas about how the library in order to keep it an ongoing, dynamic part of the children´s lives. U.S. tax-deductible donations for this outstanding program may be made through the Oaxaca Lending Library Foundation. The program also seeks schools in the U.S. for partnerships with these rural schools. For additional information go to www.librosparapueblos.com