College of DuPage celebrates Frida Kahlo's birthday
People in brightly colored dresses and flowers in their hair dotted the crowd at the College of DuPage campus in Glen Ellyn during a birthday celebration for renowned artist Frida Kahlo.
Tuesday's event, held outdoors at the college's Kahlo-inspired garden, included live music by Mariachi Monumental De México, Miss Mexican Heritage, face painting, strolling costumed Frida Kahlo characters and more.
Nely Renteria, of Chicago, brought her three daughters, Victoria, 7, Paulina, 5, and Liliana, 5 months, dressed in a style Kahlo would certainly appreciate.
Renteria's mom, who is also named Nely, brought the outfits back from Mexico.
"This is so special, because my girls learn about Frida in school and we read about her at home," Renteria said.
"For them to see all of this in person and put the pieces together is awesome. It's just great for them to learn about our culture," she continued.
Kahlo, considered one of Mexico's greatest artists, remains an enormously popular cultural figure, fashion muse and feminist icon who defied the conventions of a male-dominated art world. Many of her paintings reflect the pain she suffered when she was severely injured in a bus accident. She later became politically active and married muralist Diego Rivera in 1929. She died in 1954.
The Cleve Carney Museum of Art in the McAninch Arts Center on the COD campus at 425 Fawell Blvd., is hosting the "Frida Kahlo: Timeless" art exhibition, which runs through Sept. 6.