DALLAS, TX.- Art and science come together as the Perot Museum of Nature and Science and the Dallas Museum of Art host two major exhibitions that explore the cultural and historic wonders of Mexico and Central America during the early 20th century and ancient times. Both exhibitions are bilingual, presented in English and Spanish. The Perot Museum of Nature and Science is presenting Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealed, the largest traveling Maya exhibition ever to tour the U.S., through Sept. 4, and the DMA, in collaboration with the Mexican Secretariat of Culture, is offering the exclusive U.S. presentation of México 1900–1950: Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo, José Clemente Orozco, and the Avant-Garde, through July 16, 2017.

“It’s remarkable that North Texans and tourists will get a chance to explore two powerful and compelling exhibitions that shine a spotlight on cultures that have influenced Texas – and the world – in so many ways,” said Dan Kohl, interim chief executive officer at the Perot Museum. “DMA Director Agustín Arteaga and I have received so many positive comments from visitors. These truly are don’t-miss exhibitions!”

The Perot Museum and the DMA are located just blocks apart in Downtown Dallas, making it possible for visitors to enjoy both exhibitions within a day.

“It is touching to see the impact that the DMA and Perot Museum exhibitions are having in our community, said Agustín Arteaga, The Eugene McDermott Director of the Dallas Museum of Art. “Visitors to México 1900–1950 and Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealed are coming in multigenerational groups to tour these two shows and explore our galleries. It is exciting to see them discovering together the rich cultural history of Mexico.”

Stepping back thousands of years in time, the Perot Museum presents Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealed, a popular, hands-on exhibition that has been embraced by museum visitors of all ages. It features elaborate royal tombs, ancient languages, human sacrifice, sports and extraordinary architecture. The stunning 10,000 square-foot display brings together nearly 250 authentic artifacts and immersive environments to explore the astonishing accomplishments of one of the most powerful indigenous Mesoamerican civilizations, which still has millions of living descendants today. Visitors will learn how the Maya built towering temples and created an intricate calendar system while discovering what archaeologists have uncovered about the once-hidden ancient Maya and why their cities declined so rapidly. Through hands-on activity stations complete with video and simulations, guests can decipher hieroglyphs, learn cultural and architectural techniques, and explore an underworld cave, ancient burial site, mural room and more. The exhibition is presented by Highland Capital Management.

The DMA is presenting México 1900–1950: Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo, José Clemente Orozco, and the Avant-Garde, a sweeping survey featuring 190 works of painting, sculpture, photography, drawings, and films that document the country’s artistic Renaissance during the first half of the 20th century. Organized by Agustín Arteaga, the DMA’s new Eugene McDermott Director, and the result of a combined cultural endeavor between Mexico and France, this major traveling exhibition showcases the work of titans of Mexican Modernism alongside other pioneers to revisit the moment when Mexican art captured the attention of the world. The exhibit also includes a number of rarely seen works by female artists as it reveals the full history and development of modern Mexico and its cultural identity. On view through July 16, 2017, México 1900–1950 is enhanced in Dallas by the inclusion of key works from the Museum’s own exquisite collection of Mexican art, encompassing over 1,000 works that span across three millennia.

The ancient Maya have captured imaginations since news of the discovery of ruined cities in the jungles of Central America was published in 1839. Extensive research has uncovered a culture with a sophisticated worldview that, during its Classic period (250-900 CE), rivaled any civilization in Europe. During this period, the Maya built elaborate cities without the use of the wheel, communicated using a sophisticated written language, measured time accurately with detailed calendar systems, and had an advanced understanding of astronomy and agriculture.

“What’s amazing is how advanced the Maya people were during this 2,000-plus-year period. From constructing complex architecture and cities, to their scientific contributions to astronomy, agriculture, engineering and communications, the Maya have greatly influenced today’s society,” added Kohl. “This exhibition will be fun for the entire family. Guests will get a chance to play archaeologist, exploring a wealth of hands-on activities and making amazing discoveries just as the Maya did.”

Highlights of Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealed include:

· Nearly 250 authentic artifacts including spectacular examples of Maya artistry made by masters of their craft, along with objects from everyday life. Examples include an inkpot made out of a seashell which still retains the dried pigment colors hundreds of years after active use, numerous vessels and figurines; and more.

· Dozens of hands-on activities that dig into Maya life during the Classic period. Visitors will have a chance to decipher glyphs, decode the Maya calendar, build corbeled arches, explore tombs, investigate the Maya understanding of math and astronomy, and more.

· An exploration of Maya architecture – from its awe-inspiring temples to the simple homes of the common people. Visitors will see a huge re-created portion of a famous frieze, or richly ornamented exterior wall portion, from the El Castillo pyramid in Xunantunich, a Maya civic ceremonial center. Guests will marvel at its size and detail, and then watch as modern technology is used to make the ancient frieze’s vivid colors emerge once again to their original vibrancy.

· Several replica large-scale carved monuments, or stelae, that were erected in the great plazas of Maya cities. Their inscriptions have given scholars valuable insight into ancient Maya history – from royal succession to political conflicts and great battles.

· A re-creation of the elaborate royal tomb of the Great Scrolled Skull in Santa Rita Corozal, a Maya site in Belize. Visitors will see the full tomb assemblage, which features jade, jewels, pottery and more, and explore the fascinating story that the artifacts reveal about the politics and economics of this Maya city.

· An examination of the concepts of ritual and human sacrifice that allowed the Maya to transcend the earthly world and speak with the gods of the underworld. Visitors will see the concepts of death and rebirth – concepts that were essential to the Maya – arise throughout the exhibition.