Exhibition title: "The Essence of Mexico" Dates: Jan. 9 through Feb. 17 Where: Design Gallery 145 Walker Hall University of California, Davis Hours: Noon to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday 2-5 p.m. Sunday Closed holidays Reception: 2-5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 8, in Walker Hall foyer Artist: George O. Jackson Jr. A traveling photographic exhibition that chronicles Mexican festivals will be on display in two places in Davis during January and February. The exhibition contains photographs by George O. Jackson Jr. documenting masks, costumes and customs of Mexican festivals. On loan from the Essence Foundation for Photography in Houston, Texas, the 75 photographs are large format, 16"-by-20" to 30"-by-40" color images. The photographs have been exhibited in Houston, San Antonio, and other U.S. and Mexican cities. Jackson, whose mother is Mexican, has spent his life exploring Mexico. In his words, "I have long been fascinated by the people's ingenious ability to make beautiful art for their festivals out of simple materials. My photographs concentrate on the collaboration which produces the ephemeral art of the festival as well as the rich visual aesthetic of the objects themselves." Beginning in 1990, Jackson, who is based in Houston, started a 10-year effort to photograph the festivals, and so far, has taken pictures of more than 30 festivals in 18 indigenous cultures and captured exciting views of these little-known people and their customs. The Davis exhibition is a shared endeavor between UC Davis' Design Gallery and the Davis Art Center, with photographs to be displayed in both locations. For Davis Art Center exhibit information, call (916) 756-4100. This project has been developed under the auspices of the Essence Foundation for Photography with the assistance of Mexico's Instituto Nacional Indigenista and is recognized by the Consejo Nacional Para la Cultura y Las Artes. The Design Gallery exhibition is free and open to the public.