Oaxaca-based artists to receive honorable recognition for local Zapotec art sculptures

The Oaxaca-based artists behind Sonoma Botanical Garden’s current special exhibition, “Spirit Guides: Fantastical Creatures,” will be formally recognized later this month by Marco A. Mena, consul general of Mexico in San Francisco.

Visiting artists Jacobo and María Ángeles have transformed the landscapes of Sonoma Botanical Garden into a portal to Oaxaca with vibrant, intricately patterned sculptures depicting a world of hybrid animals from the artists’ imaginations.

The striking “Spirit Guides” are monumental pieces that pulse with bright colors and Zapotec patterns, currently on display, towering among the garden’s flora. These are the creations of Jacobo and María, artists whose work does more than decorate a garden — it preserves a lineage of Mexican folk art while pushing it boldly into the contemporary global spotlight.

The cultural weight of their contribution will be formally recognized on May 27 at 5:30 p.m., when Mena presents the artists with a special honor. The ceremony marks a significant moment for the exhibit in Glen Ellen, which remains on view through Sept. 7.

Inspired by the Zapotec calendar, these hybrid animals serve as ambassadors of indigenous imagination, standing as silent sentinels of a culture that refuses to be forgotten.

The recognition coincides with the Garden’s Noche Latina outdoor summer concert series, featuring the award-winning Trio Sol de México. As the sun sets and the music begins, the garden will host a four-day residency (May 27-30) where the Ángeles’ will engage directly with the community.

The residency includes a sold-out artist talk on May 28, local school visits on May 29, and hands-on workshops on May 30, ensuring the next generation understands the craftsmanship and symbolism behind their work.

Organized by Denver Botanic Gardens, the exhibition’s presence in Glen Ellen is a nod to the enduring spirit of Mexican heritage.

The Sonoma Botanical Garden is located 12841 Hwy 12 in Glen Ellen. For more information, visit, https://sonomabg.org/.

You can reach Staff Writer Emma Molloy at emma.molloy@sonomanews.com.