Sólo Una Vez en Esta Tierra
National Museum of the American Indian
November, 2008

Catalina Delgado Trunk


Through the medium of cut paper, I explore and reflect the rituals, traditions, myths, legends, and history of my native Mexico, so very rich in its culture of synthesis.



  • Eiteljorg Museum Interview - October, 2008

  • Resume (pdf)


    Selected Solo Exhibitions
  • 2007 "Papel Picado!" Black Rock Art Center, Bridgeport, CT.
  • 2000 "The Ofrenda Altar as a Teaching Tool," Bainbridge/Decatur Council for the Arts, Bainbridge GA.
  • 1999 "Beginnings, Blessings, Endings," Jeanine Taylor Folk Art Gallery, Winter Park, FL.
  • 1999 "Selected Cut Paper Works," Pioneer Settlement for the Arts, Barberville, FL.
  • 1998 "Selected Cut Paper Works," Lowndes/Valdosta Arts Commission Gallery, Valdosta, GA.
  • 1996 "Textiles and Charcoals," Valencia Community College West Campus, Orlando, FL.
  • 1995 "Inaugural Exhibit," Consulate of Mexico, Orlando, FL.

  • Selected Group Exhibitions
  • 2009 "Terpsichore and the Pochtecas" 6'X8' cut paper in 9 sections commissioned by The Museum of International Folk Art, Santa Fe, NM.
  • 2009 "Sólo Una Vez En Esta Tierra" 34"X36" cut paper. Fine Art/Folk Art, Santa Fe Arts Commission. Community Gallery, Santa Fe, NM.
  • 2008 "Los Dias de los Muertos - Solo Una Vez en Esta Tierra" Smithsonian Institution - National Museum of the American Indian, Washington DC.
  • 2007-08 "The Dianne and Sandy Besser Collection," Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco, de Young Museum, San Francisco, CA.
  • 2005-06 "Originals 2005"- New Mexico Committee of Women in the Arts- Museum of Fine Arts, Santa Fe, NM. Catalogue available.
  • 2003-04 "Al Portal de Mis Antepasados," Museum of International Folk Art, Santa Fe, NM.
  • 2002-03 "Flor y Canto," Museum of International Folk Art, Santa Fe, NM.
  • 2002-03 "AHORA New Mexican Hispanic Art," National Hispanic Cultural Center, Albuquerque, NM.
  • 2001 "Art Three By...A Fine Arts Juried Competition," Maitland Art Center, Maitland, FL
  • 2001 "Los Objetos de la Cultura," The Santa Fe Council of the Arts and El Museo Cultural de Santa Fe, Santa Fe, NM.
  • 2000 "Border Artists," Adobe Gallery, Las Cruces, NM.
  • 1999 "Requiem to Innocence," Fifth Avenue Gallery, Melbourne, FL.
  • 1998-2000 "Florida Folklife, Traditional Arts in Contemporary Communities," Traveling Exhibit, Miami, Orlando, Tallahassee, Jacksonville, Tampa, FL. Catalogue available.
  • 1998 "Ofrenda! Border Crossings" installation, Maitland Art Center, Maitland, FL. Catalogue available.
  • 1997 "Ofrenda, Canto a Frida" installation, Seminole Community College, Sanford, FL.
  • 1997 "Ofrenda" installation, Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert, Palm Springs, CA.
  • 1996 "Hispanic Art in Central Florida," City Hall Gallery, Orlando, FL.
  • 1996 "Ode to Weavers," University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL.
  • 1996 "Anthology of the Ofrenda," Florida Folklife Festival, White Springs, FL.
  • 1995 "In Memoriam to Mexico’s Artists," Mexican Pavilion, EPCOT Center, Walt Disney World, FL.
  • 1994 "Commemorating Chicanas," Orange County Historical Museum, Orlando, FL.
  • 1993 "Mis Abuelos," Delegacion de Chalco, Mexico.

    Awards
  • 2005 Award of Excellence. "2005 Originals" New Mexico Committee of Women in the arts. Museum of Fine Arts, Santa Fe, NM.
  • 2005 Best in Miscellaneous Crafts. Contemporary Hispanic Market. Santa Fe, NM
  • 2005 Southwest Art Magazine Award. Contemporary Hispanic Market. Santa Fe, NM
  • 2004 Best of Show - "St. Lucy and The Oracles" - Feria Artistica, Albuquerque, NM
  • 2004 Best in Fine Crafts - Contemporary Hispanic Market, Santa Fe, NM
  • 2003 Best in Mixed Media- Contemporary Hispanic Market, Santa Fe, NM.
  • 2002 Purchase Award-"Art Three By..." Maitland Art Center, Maitland, FL
  • 2001 Best of Fine Crafts-2 Dimensional. Contemporary Hispanic Market. Santa Fe, NM.
  • 1998-99 Florida Individual Artist Fellowship - folk art, FL Department of State.
  • 1997 Honorable Mention, FL Individual Artist Fellowship Program - Folk Arts.
  • 1995-96 Master Artist, FL Folklife/Folk Arts Apprenticeship Program.

    Public Collections
  • Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco, de Young Museum. San Francisco, CA.
  • Museum of International Folk Art. Santa Fe, NM.
  • Museum of Fine Art. Santa Fe, NM.
  • El Museo Cultural. Santa Fe, NM
  • National Hispanic Cultural Center. Albuquerque, NM
  • Court Youth Center. Las Cruces, NM
  • Maitland Art Center. Maitland, FL
  • Bainbridge/Decatur County Council for the Arts. Bainbridge, GA
  • Children's Discovery Museum of the Desert. Palm Springs, CA
  • Museum of Florida History. Tallahassee, FL
  • Museum of Spanish Colonial Art. Santa Fe, NM.

    Curator of the following exhibits
  • 1998 "Day of the Dead Border Crossings," Maitland Art Center, Maitland, FL
  • 1995 "Dia de Muertos,"Mexican pavillion, Epcot Center, Walt Disney World, FL.
  • 1994 "Dia de Muertos in Central Florida,"Orange County History Museum, Orlando, FL.

    Selected Speaking Engagements and Workshops
  • 2002 Museum of International Folk Art, Santa Fe, NM, "History and Evolution of Dia de Muertos in Mexico."
  • 2002 and 2003 National Hispanic Cultural Center, Albuquerque, NM, "History and Evolution of Dia de Muertos in Mexico."
  • 2001 Mesilla, NM. Funded by Las Cruces Convention and Tourism Bureau. "History and Symbolism of the Ofrenda Altars of Mexico."
  • 2000 Teachers of English as a Second language Association. Las Cruces, NM. "The Day of The Dead Altar as a Teaching Tool."
  • 2000 Bainbridge/Decatur County Council for the Arts. "The Art and History of the Mexican Day of The Dead Tradition." Sponsored and funded by the Georgia Council of Arts.
  • 1999 Seminole Community College. "Altars and Their Importance in the Art and Culture of Mexico.
  • 1998 Maitland Art Center. "Ofrendas/Border Crossings."
  • 1997 University of Central Florida, Visual Art Department. "The Culture of Synthesis as Viewed Through Day of the Dead Traditions."
  • 2000 Florida Art Educators State Conference, Orlando, FL. "Altars Shrines and Sacred Spaces."

    Artist Residency
  • 2008 Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art. Indianapolis, IN.

    Public Service
  • Trustee, Maitland Art Center (1997 - 2000)
  • Member, City of Orlando Public Art Advisory Board (1998 - 2000)

    Publications
  • Congdon, K. G., Delgado-Trunk, C, and Lopez, M. (1999). "Teaching About the Ofrenda and Experiences on the Border." Studies in Art Education. 40 (4)
  • Delgado-Trunk, C, Van Etten de Sanchez, S (2008). "Crossings: Origins and Celebrations of Dia de Muertos." National Hispanic Cultural Center.