Fall Festival “Dream with Alebrijes”

Returning for a second year, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston invites visitors to celebrate the unveiling of six new temporary sculptures, inspired by the Mexican folk-art tradition of alebrijes at its Dream with Alebrijes festival on Sunday, November 5, from 1-5 p.m.

This year, the MFAH partnered with ALMAAHH (Advocates of a Latino Museum of Cultural and Visual Arts & Archive Complex in Houston, Harris County) for the selection and commission of six Houston-based Latinx artists to create the sculptures for the festival: Laura De León, Michele Matamoros, Hugo Perez, Rebo, Krystle Holnes, and Ignacio Sanchez. Each will create sculptures that are inspired by alebrijes, and also represent their own cultural heritage. Their work will be on view from the day of the festival through November 12, 2023.

Visitors will be greeted on the day of the festival by David Linares from Mexico City, whose grandfather, Pedro Linares, originated the alebrije concept with his papier-mâché fantastical creatures. Conducting workshops in Houston over the summer with the six artists, David Linares has conveyed the origins of this now-iconic art form and the preservation of its legacy through his family. 

Guests can also enjoy live music, dance performances, art making activities, and a new lotería game inspired by works in the MFAH collection. Film screenings will be provided by Houston Latino Film Festival. Both the Fall Festival and the Museum are open to the public with free Museum admission, thanks to the generous sponsorship of H-E-B.