On display from September 14th – November 4th, Waking Up by Maria Cristina Mercado and Qvetzal is an international collaborative exhibition between the Firehouse Art Center and the Universidad de Guadalajara, Centro Universitario De La Costa, Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico. On September 10th at 2-4:00 PM, both artists will appear on a discussion panel during the Pioneer Library’s event ¡Celebracion! Culture, Tradition, and Community at the Norman Central Library. On September 12th at 3:00 PM, they will give a public lecture for the OU School of Visual Art. An exhibition opening reception will be held Thursday, September 14th, at 5:30 PM. This reception will feature authentic Mexican food provided by Pepe Delgados. The exhibition will close on November 4th in conjunction with the creation of a new mural in Lions Park by Narcisco Arguelles. All these events are free and open to the public.

The Firehouse’s Executive Director/Curator Andy Couch said, “We are so grateful to host Maria and Qvetzal. The arts community here has been so kind and welcoming to our guests.” Waking Up will showcase the contrasting styles of the two artists. One is intimate and austere, and the other evokes an awakening from the outside. Both artists and producing murals for the Firehouse during their residency. Waking Up is an invitation to make our days a daily exercise in living life with passion.

The Firehouse Gallery is located at 444 South Flood Avenue in Norman. Hours are from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Monday – Friday and 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM Saturday. For additional information on the Waking Up exhibition, contact the Firehouse Art Center at 329-4523 or visit www.normanfirehouse.com.