Upcoming ExhibitOpening October 1, 2026
Spirit Guides: Fantastical Creatures
from the Workshop of Jacobo and María Ángeles
The exhibition Spirit Guides: Fantastical Creatures from the Workshop of Jacobo and María Ángeles opens October 1, 2026, through January 2027 at the Tucson Botanical Gardens. Brightly colored and richly patterned, the eight fantastical creatures in this exhibition are incredibly brilliant and impossible to miss. Inspired by Zapotec astrology, these sculptures come to the Gardens from the Jacobo and María Ángeles Workshop in San Martín Tilcajete, Oaxaca, Mexico.
Tucson Botanical Gardens is thrilled to display sculptures by artists who not only champion their community, but our environment as well.
The works depict imaginary hybrid animals that function as both spirit guides and astrological embodiments of human character. The colorful, intricate geometric patterns are inspired by Zapotec and other Indigenous designs, each with their own unique meaning. Spirit Guides is an unforgettable outdoor experience reminding us of the profound connections that bind us to the inhabitants of the natural (and spiritual) world.
Jacobo and María Ángeles, Jaguar-Eagle, fiberglass and acrylic paint, 2024. Artwork © Jacobo and María Ángeles. Photo © Scott Dressel-Martin. Exhibition organized by Denver Botanic Gardens.
Jacobo and María Ángeles, Coyote-Fish, fiberglass and acrylic paint, 2024. Artwork © Jacobo and María Ángeles. Photo © Scott Dressel-Martin. Exhibition organized by Denver Botanic Gardens.
Jacobo and María Ángeles, Camel-Eagle, fiberglass and acrylic paint, 2024. Artwork © Jacobo and María Ángeles. Photo © Scott Dressel-Martin. Exhibition organized by Denver Botanic Gardens.
Jacobo and María Ángeles, Rabbit-Deer, fiberglass and acrylic paint, 2024. Artwork © Jacobo and María Ángeles. Photo © Scott Dressel-Martin. Exhibition organized by Denver Botanic Gardens.
