Sep 11th 2026

Gallery Conversation: Corn and Cosmos – Elizabeth Pope and Gaby Lavalle

@ Art Institute of Chicago

159 E Monroe St, Chicago, IL 60603

Opening Friday, September 11th, from 2PM - 3:30PM

Corn has an enduring significance in Maya culture. In ancient Mayan mythology, the maize god provided sustenance and life. In Corn Mountain of Life (Ixim Juyu K’aslem), an installation by contemporary Guatemalan artist Edgar Calel, a mountain of ceramic corn implies abundance and security as well as the artist’s relationship to his heritage.

Join Elizabeth Pope and Gaby Lavalle to examine how Mayan art, from ancient vessels to modern sculpture, reveals deep, ongoing ties between identity, the land, and community.
what to expect

This program will begin in Gallery 161, on the first floor of the Rice building. The group will move then to Bluhm Terrace, located on the second floor of the Modern Wing, next to the Member Bar. Please note that we will spend the second half of the session outdoors, and plans are subject to change due to weather. Some gallery stools will be provided. ASL interpretation is available upon request at museum_interpretation@artic.edu. Requests must be made at least two weeks in advance.
about the speakers

Elizabeth Pope is the senior research associate in the Arts of the Americas and Textiles departments. She has worked at the Art Institute of Chicago since 2005. Trained as an art historian, anthropologist, and archaeologist, she specializes in the expressions of power and authority in ancient Mesoamerican art, architecture, and ritual performance.

Elizabeth holds a PhD in Art and Art History from UT, Austin; an MA in Archaeological Studies from Yale University; and a BA in Cross Cultural Studies from Colgate University.

Gaby Lavalle is a tour specialist in Gallery Activation and Interpretation at the Art Institute of Chicago. In this role, she facilitates meaningful connections between visitors and art through gallery conversations, tours, and engagement tools. Driven by the belief that art fosters empathy and personal growth, she creates spaces for dynamic visitor experiences.

Gaby holds an MA in Art Education from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) and a BA in Textiles from the Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City.

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