Dallas, Texas -- The Meadows Museum, SMU, will offer a robust season of public programs this fall to accompany its exhibitions – Roaming Mexico: Laura Wilson and Manuel Álvarez Bravo: Visions of Mexico – both opening Sept. 14, 2025.
The former features nearly 90 photographs by internationally acclaimed Texas photographer Laura Wilson that offer a deeply personal and expansive view of life across Mexico.
The latter presents more than 30 images of Mexico by one of the most influential photographers in Latin America.
Together, the shows offer a powerful view of Mexican life across the 20th and 21st centuries, told through distinct yet resonant visual voices. Public programming includes a photography-focused lecture series, gallery talks and hands-on art activities for all ages.
Below is the list of fall events and programs presented in connection with Roaming Mexico: Laura Wilson and Manuel Álvarez Bravo: Visions of Mexico. A complete calendar of all Meadows Museum programs can be found at meadowsmuseumdallas.org/calendar. Programs are in-person at the museum on the SMU campus.
LECTURES AND TALKS
CUSTARD INSTITUTE LECTURE SERIES
Bob and Jean Smith Auditorium
$10/each; free for members at the Individual level and above and SMU faculty/staff/students
Space is limited, advance registration required
Complementing Roaming Mexico: Laura Wilson and Manuel Álvarez Bravo: Visions of Mexico, this lecture series presents new scholarly inquiries into the histories of photography in Latin America.
Photographing Evita and Juan Domingo Perón: A Tale of Image Branding
Thursday, Sept. 18, at 6–7 p.m.; purchase tickets here
Lecturer: Iliana Cepero, Assistant Professor of Modern/Contemporary Art History and Visual Studies, The New School
Fotógrafas: Feminist Narratives, Imaginaries and Representations in 20th- and 21st-Century Mexico
Thursday, Nov. 20, at 6–7 p.m.; purchase tickets here
Lecturer: Karen Cordero, Professor Emerita, Universidad Iberoamericana
LUIS MARTÍN LECTURE SERIES IN THE HUMANITIES
Bob and Jean Smith Auditorium
Four Fridays, Sept. 26, Oct. 3, Oct. 10 and Oct. 17 | 10:30–11:30 a.m.
$60 for the 4-part series; free for members at the Individual level and above and SMU students/faculty/staff
Space is limited, advance registration required; purchase tickets here
In conjunction with Roaming Mexico: Laura Wilson and Manuel Álvarez Bravo: Visions of Mexico, this series of four lectures will investigate the history and practice of photography in the U.S. and Mexico. Central themes will include the potential of photography to create mythologies of place and identity as well as its capacity to reveal truths.
Friday, Sept. 26: The Myths of the American West in Photographs, Lecturer: Randall Griffin, University Distinguished Professor in Art History, SMU
Friday, Oct. 3: The De-mythification of the American West in Photographs
Lecturer: Randall Griffin, University Distinguished Professor in Art History, SMU
Friday, Oct. 10: En foco: Mexican and Mexican-American Photographs
Lecturer: María Beatriz H. Carrión, Assistant Professor of Art History, Pennsylvania State University
Friday, Oct. 17: Becoming Panoramic: A Presentation by the Artist Frederico Câmara
Lecturer: Frederico Câmara, Assistant Professor of Photography, SMU
GALLERY TALK
Traveling with Laura and Manuel
Virginia Meadows Galleries
Friday, Nov. 7, 12:15–1 p.m.
Free with museum admission; registration encouraged here
Gallery Talks bring the perspectives of local guest speakers to the Meadows. In today’s program, Frederico Câmara, Assistant Professor of Photography, SMU, gives an artist’s perspective on the photography of Laura Wilson and Manuel Álvarez Bravo.
FAMILY AND DROP-IN PROGRAMS
SENSORY CART
Weekends: Sept. 20–21, Oct. 18–19, Nov. 15–16 and Dec. 20–21, 1–3 p.m.
Museum Galleries
Free with museum admission; no registration required
Stop by the Sensory Cart in the galleries to explore art through multiple senses. Visitors are invited to touch different textures, smell distinctive scents and listen to sounds that bring a featured work of art to life. The cart will feature a new work of art every two months, focusing on Roaming Mexico: Laura Wilson in November and December.
PRESCHOOL PLAYDATE
Tuesdays: Sept. 9, Oct. 14, Nov. 11 and Dec. 9, 9–10 a.m.
Education Studio and Galleries
Free with museum admission; registration required here
Calling all little ones and their grown-ups! This interactive program welcomes children and their adults into the museum before it opens to explore art together, focusing on the making and doing rather than the final product. Enjoy songs and story time led by Highland Park Library staff members, look at a work of art, experience a new art-making process and more. In conjunction with Roaming Mexico, the Nov. 11 edition will feature exploration of the cyanotype process, a photographic printing process that develops via the sun. Recommended for ages 2-5, but all children are welcome. This is not a drop-off program; children must be accompanied by at least one adult over the age of 18.
OPEN STUDIO
Sundays: Sept. 21, Oct. 19 and Nov. 16, 1–4 p.m.
Education Studio
Free with museum admission; no registration required
Drop by the Education Studio each month for the opportunity to explore materials and create art projects inspired by works on view at the museum. A new project is offered each month for children of all ages, and this fall the projects take inspiration from the two photography exhibitions on view. All materials are provided. This is not a drop-off program; children must be accompanied by at least one adult over the age of 18.
FAMILY DAY: TRICK-OR-TREAT AT THE MEADOWS
Sunday, Oct. 26, from 2–4 p.m.
Museum Galleries
Free; children must be accompanied by an adult; registration required here
Get ready for a spook-tacular adventure! Kids are invited to wear their costumes and explore the museum while trick-or-treating with works of art brought to life. Families can enjoy interactive activities throughout the galleries in this frightfully fun celebration. Note: Costumes that extend beyond the body, and accessories such as wands, wings and swords are not allowed in the museum. This is not a drop-off program; children must be accompanied by at least one adult over the age of 18.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The Meadows Museum is located on the SMU campus at 5900 Bishop Blvd., Dallas, TX 75205. Hours are 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Tuesday–Saturday with extended hours until 9 p.m. on Thursday and 1–5 p.m. Sunday. Parking is free for museum visitors. General admission is $12 adults, $10 seniors 65+, $4 non-SMU students; and free for Meadows Museum members, SMU faculty/staff/students, and youth 18 and under thanks to a grant from Fichtenbaum Charitable Trust, Bank of America, N.A., Co-Trustee.. For more information, go to meadowsmuseumdallas.org.
