Ballet Folklórico Mexicapan Collection, 1969-2018 and undated, bulk 1973-1985
Collection context
Summary
- Title:
- Ballet Folklórico Mexicapan Collection
- Dates:
- 1969-2018 and undated, bulk 1973-1985
- Creators:
- Hernandez, Benjamin, Lara, Rafael, Santana, Livier, and Schneider, Jerry L.
- Abstract:
- The Ballet Folklórico Mexicapan Collection contains the history of the Ballet Folkórico Mexicapan, which existed from 1973 to 1985. Led by Benjamin Hernandez and Patricia Barragan Hernandez, the Ballet Folkórico Mexicapan aimed to preserve and display the rich traditions of Mexican folklore through dance, workshops, and events. The collection includes event flyers and programs, photographs of the dancers and performances, audio and video recordings of events, costumes, and administrative and organizational paperwork.
- Extent:
- 33.2 Linear Feet (1 records box, 2 document boxes, 2 flat boxes, 10 textile boxes, 1 oversize map folder)
- Language:
- Languages represented in the collection: English , Spanish .
- Preferred citation:
-
[Identification of item], Ballet Folklórico Mexicapan Collection (H.Mss.1109). Special Collections and Archives, The Claremont Colleges Library, The Claremont Colleges Services, Claremont, California.
Background
- Scope and content:
-
This collection contains materials related to the Ballet Folklórico Mexicapan from 1969 to 2018 and undated, and primarily during the years it was participating in events and leading workshops from 1973 to 1985. The collection includes flyers and programs from events throughout the years, as well as correspondence with event organizers. There is also a significant collection of photographs of the members and events, as well as 35mm slides and negatives. Audiovisual recordings of Ballet Folklórico Mexicapan performances and appearances are also included. Additional folders and materials include costumes, choreography notes, sheet music, audition lists, administrative and organizational papers, personnel records, meeting minutes, and newspaper clippings about events and members.
- Biographical / historical:
-
Ballet Folklórico Mexicapan was founded by husband-and-wife Benjamin Hernandez and Patricia Barragan Hernandez in the summer of 1973 and aimed to preserve and display the traditions of Mexican folklore through dance. Ballet Folklórico Mexicapan was officially incorporated in 1976, and from 1973 to 1985 led workshops and performed regularly across Southern California, primarily at events that promoted Mexican cultural heritage. Ballet Folklórico Mexicapan frequently performed at East Los Angeles College, where Benjamin Hernandez taught, and attended annual conferences held by the Asociación Nacional de Grupos Folkloricos (ANGF), the national Mexican Folk Dance Association.
Benjamin Hernandez was born on September 17, 1944, in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico and studied at the Escuela de Artes Plasticas at University de Guadalajara. After receiving his B.A. in fine arts in 1967, Hernandez moved to the United States and in 1969, founded the Ballet Regional de Mexico with his first wife Graciela Hinojosa. In 1973, Hernandez co-founded the Ballet Folklórico Mexicapan and served as its artistic director until 1984. He also had a long career in education in Southern California, teaching folkorico dance and history of Mexican art at The Claremont Colleges from 1970 to 1995; folklorico dance at East Los Angeles College from 1970 to 2011; folklorico dance, Mexican art, and the history of Mexican music at Cal Poly Pomona from 1972 to 1975; and folklorico dance at UCLA in 1977. He received a B.A. in Latin American Studies from Cal State Los Angeles in 1980.
Patricia Barragan Hernandez was born on March 13, 1948, in Los Angeles, California. She graduated with a B.A. in dance from UCLA in 1971, before enrolling in a master's program with an emphasis in ethnic studies with a concentration in Mexican dance. From 1971 to 1973, she was a dancer with the Ballet Regional de Mexico, also dancing with the Gloria Newman Dance Theater from 1968 to 1972. She served as the Associate Director of the Ballet Folklórico Mexicapan from 1973 to 1984.
- Acquisition information:
- Gift of Benjamin C. Hernandez, Livier Santana, and Rafael Lara, 2018. The three donors were all part of Ballet Folklórico Mexicapan, and Benjamin Hernandez was a founding member. Additional materials were donated by members Jerry Schneider and Livier Santana in 2024 and added to the collection.
- Processing information:
-
Initial collection processing was completed by Katriona Lawrenson, Pitzer College, Spring 2019 with additional materials processed by Sean Stanley, Digital and Print Collections Archivist in 2024. Documents were placed into archival folders and stored in acid-free boxes. All photographic materials were placed into archival sleeves. Oversize materials were stored flat in oversize boxes or map folders. Newspaper clippings were photocopied onto acid-free paper and originals discarded. Costumes were placed into oversize textile boxes with acid-free tissue paper and archival batting. Audiovisual materials were placed in a separate box.
- Arrangement:
-
File folders and materials are arranged alphabetically by title. Contents within file folders are arranged in chronological order.
- Accruals:
-
No additions to the collection are anticipated.
- Physical location:
- Please consult repository.
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Indexed terms
About this collection guide
- Date Prepared:
- © 2025
- Date Encoded:
- This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2025-01-06 15:06:52 -0800 .
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
Collection open for research.
- Terms of access:
-
All requests for permission to reproduce or to publish must be submitted in writing to Special Collections.
- Preferred citation:
-
[Identification of item], Ballet Folklórico Mexicapan Collection (H.Mss.1109). Special Collections and Archives, The Claremont Colleges Library, The Claremont Colleges Services, Claremont, California.
- Location of this collection:
-
800 N. Dartmouth Ave.Claremont, CA 91711, US
- Contact:
- (909) 607‑3977