Carnaval

The Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History proudly presents ¡Carnaval! curated by Barbara Mauldin, Ph.D., curator of Latin American Collections, Museum of International Folk Art. ¡Carnaval! provides windows into eight communities in Europe and the Americas where the carnival season is important. Images, videos, costume pieces, musical instruments, and masks from their performances relate to historical and cultural traditions, while conveying the importance and function of community building through play.

This exhibit creates an extraordinary view into carnival life. Visitors will experience and learn about the variations in carnival traditions from locations such as Laza, Spain, where celebrants might throw dirt and ants at their neighbors to Tlaxcala, Mexico, where men dress as French dandies and perform a burlesque dance. Everyone’s beloved and well-known New Orleans Mardi Gras is also on display within this fabulous exhibit!