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Sombrilla

The University of Texas at San Antonio Online Magazine



Remembering Home


Shadow boxes jut out from the walls, each portraying another family, other lives, affected by the Mexican Revolution of 1910. Large scrims hanging from the ceiling show haunting black and white images of family members. And playing in the background are videos of men and women sharing the harrowing and emotional stories of their families’ escape from war and the new lives they were forced to build in a foreign country.

The UTSA Institute of Texan Cultures’ exhibit, "Leaving Home, Finding Home: Texan Families Remember the Mexican Revolution," began in November to mark the 100th anniversary of the revolution. It tells the story of eight families who relocated to Texas and the impact that had on future generations.

Graduate students from the Department of History helped collect and edit the interviews for the exhibit.

Lupita Barrera, director of education and interpretation for the institute, said having students work on the exhibit gave it additional energy and depth.

"I think it’s very thought-provoking, and that’s what we wanted it to be," she said. "We wanted it to get in every person’s mind."

Rosa Canales Perez, whose family is featured in the exhibit, said it was an emotional experience.

"The larger-than-life size of the scrims brings my family back to life and gives them their due after what they went through," Perez said. "It brought tears to my eyes. It was a beautiful tribute to all these families, especially those of us who are simple people, poor people. To end up somewhere like that is very special."

- Lety Laurel

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