Soldaderas to Amazonas: Escaramuzas Charras exhibit to open March 22
FORT WORTH, TEXAS (March 5, 2023) – The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame (NCM) is spotlighting the beauty and skill of the Escaramuza Charra as it launches its new exhibit, Soldaderas to Amazonas: Escaramuzas Charras, in March at the internationally recognized museum.
“The Cowgirl Museum has never hosted an exhibition exclusively focusing on any aspect of charrería; highlighting the escaramuza is a project we have been honored to undertake,” said NCM Associate Executive Director Diana Vela, Ph.D. “One of the most stunning aspects of the escaramuza is the level of horsemanship these women display as they ride side saddle. It is an interesting blend of equestrian skill, culture, and grace,” said Vela.
Escaramuza, translated to English, is the word for “skirmish,” and consists of an eight-member team of equestrians executing intricate patterns at a gallop. Escaramuza is a way of life for these competitors; there is no large payout at competitions or million-dollar sponsorships. Its origins trace back to the Mexican Revolution when women began riding horses to protect their communities, and today, it is a sporting event. As Escaramuza Charras, these women reclaim their Mexican cultural heritage and affirm their Mexican American identity. Riders wear stunning traditional outfits inspired by the fearless adelitas, women fighters in the Mexican Revolution.
The exhibition consists of two complementing, connecting galleries, which explore the connections between the soldaderas of the Mexican Revolution and escaramuza charra. The first gallery examines those connections concretely with adelita-inspired dresses for which they are known, the sombreros, rebozos, sidesaddles, and more. The second gallery comprises a series of portraits, Escaramuza, The Poetics of Home, by award-winning photographer Constance Jaeggi. Jaeggi’s portraits are accompanied by original works for 2023 Texas Poet Laureate Ire’ne Lara Silva, and Angelina Sáenz, award-winning educator, poet, and writing project fellow at UCLA.
“It’s been a huge privilege to photograph and interview escaramuzas all around the U.S. and to be privy to their passion, skill, and way of life,” said exhibition photographer, Constance Jaeggi. “This is a rich and layered story, and it was crucial to me that the resulting portraits be empowering and do their narratives justice.”
There is a media preview on Friday, March 21 at 9:00 am and the exhibition will open to the public on Friday, March 22 at 10:00 am.
About the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame
The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame honors and celebrates women, past and present, whose lives exemplify the courage, resilience, and independence that helped shape the West. Established in 1975, the Museum is considered an invaluable national educational resource for its exhibits, research library, and rare photograph collection. The Museum is located in Fort Worth’s Cultural District at 1720 Gendy Street and is open Tuesday – Saturday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon – 5 p.m. Admission is $12 for adults (12+); $9 for seniors (65+) and military; $6 for children (ages 3-12) and children 3 and under free with paid admission. For more news and information, visit www.cowgirl.net and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.