Ana Pillicer, a sculptor and curator of the traveling exhibition "The Women of Michoacán:  Art and Artists," will speak about the art of copper on Tuesday, Nov. 17, at 3 p.m. at Hope College in Cook Auditorium of the De Pree Art Center.

The public is invited.  Admission is free.

Pillicer will share her experiences with the copper artisans of Santa Clara del Cobre, a small town in western Mexico, and discuss how she and her husband, James Metcalf, another renowned metal sculptor, rescued from disappearing an art form that was introduced in the town more than 500 years ago.

Pillicer will be featured during an opening reception at the Holland Area Arts Council, which is hosting the exhibition "The Women of Michoacán:  Art and Artists," on Tuesday, Nov. 17, at 6 p.m.  Admission to the reception and exhibition is free.

Pillicer was born in Mexico City and studied art at the NewSchool in New York.  She has served as the national director of FONART, the organization that overseas the popular traditional arts and crafts of Mexico.  Her copper sculptures have been exhibited throughout Europe, and several pieces of her art are included in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in Mexico City.  She and her husband have lived in Santa Clara del Cobre for several years.

The Holland Area Arts Council is featuring "The Women of Michoacán:  Art and Artists" from Tuesday, Nov. 17, through Tuesday, Jan. 5.  The traveling exhibition has been organized by the Kentucky Institute for International Studies and the Ministry of Culture of Michoacán, and presents the work of female artists and of artwork representing women in Mexico, primarily indigenous women of Michoacán.  It consists of artwork in a variety of media, photography, painting, ceramics and metalwork.  In addition to Pillicer, the artists with work in the exhibition are Leonor Solís, Dolores Goméz, Jéronimo Mateo, Marcela Ramírez and Rosa Angelica Gómez Mier.

The De Pree Art Center is located at 160 E. 12th St., on Columbia Avenue at 12th Street.

The Holland Area Arts Council is located at 150 E. Eighth St., between College and Columbia avenues.  The Holland Area Arts Council is open Mondays through Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and is closed on Fridays and Sundays.