04/06/2026
Aliento a Tequila (Spirit of Tequila) explores & celebrates the landscape, culture, &
traditions that gave birth to tequila, Mexico’s mestizo national drink. Agave dates back to the Aztec civilization as an important crop in Mexico.
Since the 1600s, the people of western Mexico have cultivated blue agave from the red volcanic soil that blankets the region, to make what we know as tequila.
Photographer Joel Salcido traveled across the state of Jalisco capturing images of distilleries and artisanal tequileras, including blue agave fields at sunset, the agave’s pineapple-like centers (piñas), elegantly shadowed barrel rooms (añejos), and, of course, the agave farmers themselves.
Salcido’s photographs, taken with a medium format camera—some in full-color, some
in duotone—reveal not only the tequila-making process but also the region’s traditions
of culture and religion.
Don't miss the exhibition beginning June 20!
