Recognizing Guatemalan Heritage through Food, Craft, and Art
Snapshots of Guatemala Highlands artist Kathleen McCabe and Guatemalan-American artist Paula Sontay will share experiences in this free event
In this free program, participants will learn how to make Guatemalan worry dolls, a craft originating in the Guatemalan highlands. This region is the focal point of Snapshots of Guatemala Highlands, a quilt exhibition by local artist Kathleen McCabe, who will be present alongside her display. Participants will also get the chance to try Guatemalan snacks and hear from Los Angeles-based, Guatemalan-American artist Paula Sontay, who will speak with visitors during the program and share about her art practice.
Visions Museum of Textile Art is an official partner of SoCal SoCraft, a month-long series of free public programs highlighting the artists, makers, institutions, and creative spaces that define Southern California’s craft culture. Presented in conjunction with Handwork 2026, a national initiative of Craft in America, SoCal SoCraft invites residents and visitors to explore San Diego through hands-on experiences, exhibitions, artist demonstrations, tours, workshops, and open studios. This program is funded by Arts District Liberty Station.
Event Details
Date: Saturday, July 18, 2026
Time: 10 am – 12 pm
Location: VMOTA, 2825 Dewey Road, Suite 100
This event is free and open to the public. Please RSVP by reserving a free ticket above.
Kathleen McCabe
Kathleen has been creating with cloth since the fifth grade, later earning an applied design degree from San Diego State University. She has previously served on the Visions Board (2001-2004) and acted as a regional representative and exhibitions committee member for Studio Art Quilt Associates (SAQA). Kathleen’s work is exhibited nationally and internationally, published in numerous books and publications, and displayed in public and private collections.
Paula Sontay
Paula Sontay is a Guatemalan-American artist from Los Angeles. In 2026, she earned a B.F.A in Drawing and Painting from Cal State Fullerton. Her work explores themes of family, cultural identity, and landscapes, being inspired by her experiences of Guatemalan and Californian cultures. Her practice reflects the connections between place, people, and personal history and seeks to honor her roots and history in her art. She likes to create art using mediums such as watercolor, oil pastels, colored pencils, and printmaking techniques. Her work has been in exhibition in Nottingham (United Kingdom) and had a solo exhibition at the Leo Freedman Foundation Gallery located in the CSUF College of the Art Gallery.
