Sponsor MessageBecome a KQED sponsor
upper waypoint
Gloria Magaña of Modesto waits to walk the Frida Kahlo fashion show runway outside the Bedford Gallery in Walnut Creek. Of Kahlo, she said, "She's weird, and I like it." Sara Hossaini/KQED
Gloria Magaña of Modesto waits to walk the Frida Kahlo fashion show runway outside the Bedford Gallery in Walnut Creek. Of Kahlo, she said, "She's weird, and I like it." (Sara Hossaini/KQED)
The California Report

PHOTOS: Fiestas Fridas Celebrates All Things Frida Kahlo

The California Report

PHOTOS: Fiestas Fridas Celebrates All Things Frida Kahlo

Sara Hossaini
Save ArticleSave Article
Failed to save article

Please try again

For the entire month of July, the Bay Area is celebrating the 111th birthday of artist Frida Kahlo. It’s the first time Fiestas Fridas has moved beyond San Francisco, where the artist briefly lived on two occasions, in the early 30s and in 1940.

The multi-day event sets out to “celebrate art, community & the life of Frida Kahlo” through selfie challenges, spoken word and, of course, art exhibits. On Friday a birthday processional for the artist was held at the recently renamed Frida Kahlo Way.

Sunday, the party continued at the Bedford Gallery in Walnut Creek, with a Kahlo look-alike contest, Kahlo-inspired fashion show and bazaar. It also marked the opening of a gallery exhibit featuring historical photographs of Kahlo throughout her travels and works by other artists that reference her in some way. “The World of Frida” will be open until September 16.

Vanessa Hernandez of Oakland and Gloria Magaña of Modesto prepare to walk in the Frida-inspired fashion show. Hernandez says Kahlo, to her, is "power."
Vanessa Hernandez of San Fernando and Gloria Magaña of Modesto prepare to walk in the Frida-inspired fashion show. Hernandez says Kahlo, to her, is “power.” (Sara Hossaini/KQED)
Reveca Torres of Chicago, IL takes to the runway during the Frida Kahlo fashion show in Walnut Creek. Like Kahlo, she suffered a spinal cord injury at an early age. "I really started to connect with her after I was injured at 13," says Torres, "she was a powerful woman," says Torres, who subsequently became an artist herself.
Reveca Torres of Chicago, IL takes to the runway during the Frida Kahlo fashion show in Walnut Creek. Like Kahlo, she suffered a spinal cord injury at an early age. “I really started to connect with her after I was injured at 13,” says Torres, “she was a powerful woman,” says Torres, who subsequently became an artist herself. (Sara Hossaini/KQED)
Mayra Peña of Guadalajara, Mexico said her Frida Kahlo-inspired costume by Paulina Herrera requires "balance and no sudden movements." She said Kahlo represents pain and how one can overcome the physical and emotional challenges in life.
Mayra Peña of Guadalajara, Mexico said her Frida Kahlo-inspired costume by Paulina Herrera requires “balance and no sudden movements.” She said Kahlo represents pain and how one can overcome the physical and emotional challenges in life. (Sara Hossaini/KQED)
Theresa Bridges of Santa Cruz wears a Frida Kahlo-inspired cage dress designed by Christina Morgan Cree. She said Kahlo is meaningful to her as simply a "badass" who didn't "sugar coat things."
Theresa Bridges of Santa Cruz wears a Frida Kahlo-inspired cage dress designed by Christina Morgan Cree. She said Kahlo is meaningful to her as simply a “badass” who didn’t “sugar coat things.” (Sara Hossaini/KQED)
Gigi Orozco, 8-years-old, of San Francisco stands with her new Frida-inspired doll as her mother talks with a vendor at the Frida Kahlo event outside Bedford Gallery of Walnut Creek.
Gigi Orozco, 8-years-old, of San Francisco stands with her new Frida-inspired doll as her mother talks with a vendor at the Frida Kahlo event outside Bedford Gallery of Walnut Creek. (Sara Hossaini/KQED)
A model teeters down the catwalk in Frida Kahlo-inspired attire at the "Fiestas Fridas" birthday-bash and art show at Bedford Gallery in Walnut Creek.
A model teeters down the catwalk in Frida Kahlo-inspired attire at the “Fiestas Fridas” birthday-bash and art show at Bedford Gallery in Walnut Creek. (Sara Hossaini/KQED)
Rachel-Anne Palacios and from L to R: Azalia Cabrera (5), daughter Mayahuel Palacios (5) and Lucia Soriano (4) hang out at the Frida Kahlo celebration. The girls participated in an earlier Kahlo look-alike contest.
Rachel-Anne Palacios and from L to R: Azalia Cabrera (5), daughter Mayahuel Palacios (5) and Lucia Soriano (4) hang out at the Frida Kahlo celebration. The girls participated in an earlier Kahlo look-alike contest. (Sara Hossaini/KQED)
Ed Flores of Martinez relaxes at the Frida Kahlo celebration outside Bedford Gallery in Walnut Creek. Flores said Kahlo was the "revolution before the revolution" when it came to women's empowerment, "ahead of her time."
Ed Flores of Martinez relaxes at the Frida Kahlo celebration outside Bedford Gallery in Walnut Creek. Flores said Kahlo was the “revolution before the revolution” when it came to women’s empowerment, “ahead of her time.” (Sara Hossaini/KQED)
Martha Villanueva of San Jose presents her husband Carlos Villez's artwork to customer Ellie Rue (5) of Walnut Creek at a Frida Kahlo birthday extravaganza in the city on Sunday. Rue says she likes the piece because of "the colors around her hair."
Martha Villanueva of San Jose presents her husband Carlos Villez’s artwork to customer Ellie Rue (5) of Walnut Creek at a Frida Kahlo birthday extravaganza in the city on Sunday. Rue says she likes the piece because of “the colors around her hair.” (Sara Hossaini/KQED)

This story has been corrected to reflect Vanessa Hernandez’s hometown is San Fernando, not Oakland.

Sponsored

lower waypoint
next waypoint
Player sponsored by