(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The Museum of Contemporary Art hosted dozens of recently-arrived young migrants to celebrate Three Kings Day with art.
"It's part of their traditions. They are abroad. They are far away from their homeland, so we are bringing a little piece of their homeland through celebrating this day together," said Samantha Conde of the Mexican Consulate.
The celebratory cut of the Rosca de Reyes, or Three Kings Cake, is the culmination of the Museum's second ever Dia de los Reyes celebration hosted in collaboration with the Mexican Consulate in Chicago.
"Three Kings Day is a day that is celebrated throughout Latin America, especially in Mexico and places like Puerto Rico," said manager of Student and Family Programs Alicia Sandoval Vadillo.
She says the museum is bringing the celebration to the migrants, many who are from Latin America, through various Three Kings themed art projects.
"We're both making and folding zines, which are a type of small magazine, we're also decorating winter gloves, crown making, which is a traditional activity associated with Three Kings Day."
Museum spokesperson Manuel Venegas says his hope is that the kids feel both welcomed and inspired.
"I just wish that they can feel the power of art and that the art can speak with them that a different reality is possible," he said.
Venegas said the celebration is part of an effort to become a fully bilingual institution.
"What we're trying to do here is build more accessible spaces for the museum, as well as changing the role of the museum within the community."
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