Artists from Spain, Mexico, Cuba and Puerto Rico are among those represented in "Encounters/Encuentros: Tradition and Innovation in the Art of Spain and Latin America," an exhibit at Valparaiso University's Brauer Museum of Art. The exhibit is part of the ongoing celebration on campus of Hispanic Heritage Month.

The idea for the exhibition came about last fall when Valparaiso Spanish professor Rachel Rivers Parroquin asked assistant curator Gloria Ruff if the museum had any Hispanic artwork her students could view.

Ruff found a number of works to show the students and was impressed by the variety in the collection, from a 17th century carved wooden Santo (Saint) to a Salvador Dali etching from the 1980s.

"It's a nice range of early representation to contemporary times," Ruff said. "It's been a lot of fun to work with."

"Encounters/Encuentros" will be displayed in two of Brauer Museum's galleries.

One will feature prints by prominent Spanish artists such as Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali and Jean Miro.

Ruff said the second room will focus on artists from Cuba, Puerto Rico, Mexico and New Mexico. The work from New Mexico artists is actually quite old, from the time before the land was a state.

"There are a variety of woodcarvings used in people's homes years ago," Ruff said.

Exhibit pieces include seven prints by Zapotec Indian artist Rufino Tamayo, a photograph by contemporary Mexican artist Graciela Iturbide, and "Family Portrait," a painting from Cuban-American artist Paul Sierra documenting his family's escape from Cuba.

The title of the exhibit, "Encounters/Encuentros," was thought of by Dr. Stacy Hoult-Saros, associate professor of foreign languages and literatures at VU. It evokes both the artistic and spiritual tradition of Spanish and native civilizations, blending together. Hoult-Saros, who incorporates art into her teaching, also will host a museum "coffee hour" at 7 p.m. on Oct. 1 with Carlos Miguel-Pueyo of the Spanish section of Valparaiso's Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures. The professors will discuss the similarities and differences in the work of Spanish and Latin American artists.

"Encounters/Encuentros" will be displayed at Brauer Museum through Nov. 21.

Primary and secondary school teachers from the region interested in learning more about "Encounters/Encuentros" and receiving materials that can be used in classes are invited to attend a free Oct. 7 workshop. Teachers should call (219) 464-5048 for more information.

Brauer Museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays; 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays; and noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays during the academic year. Admission to the museum and all events is free.

Group tours may be arranged by calling (219) 465-7926. A list of events is available at valpo.edu/artmuseum.