Boshell Lecture: ¡Salud! Beverages from Past to Present
Saturday, March 28, 2026, 3–4 p.m.
Registration required.
Ever wonder about the origins of hot chocolate? Or the tequila in your favorite cocktail? Antonio Soto, Director of Collections at Museo del Objeto del Objeto (MODO) in Mexico City, will explore their historical origins and cultural practices. Carlos Raba, co-owner and chef of Clavel, local taqueria and mezcaleria, and Ellen Hoobler, William B. Ziff Curator of Art of the Americas, will join Antonio in conversation to discuss modern-day approaches to these ancient beverages. Following the lecture and Q&A, we welcome you to enjoy a light reception in the Museum Cafe.
This program is inspired by Latin American Art / Arte Latinoamericano, an installation of works from the museum’s collection of art from South, Central, and North America and the Caribbean.
This program is one of two lectures that are generously funded each year by the Boshell Foundation.
ASL interpretation will be provided at this program.
About the Speakers
Antonio Soto is the Director of Collections at the Museo del Objeto del Objeto (MODO) in Mexico City. His work, which focuses on the construction of national identities, includes visual production, curatorship, research, and cultural management in various institutions in Mexico and around the world, such as the Museum of Contemporary Art of Monterrey, Museo de la Ciudad Mexico City, Haus der Kulturen der Welt Berlin, Darb 1718 Art Center El Cairo, Palace Museum Beijing, and the Mexican Cultural Institute Washington D.C.
Carlos Raba, chef owner of Clavel, was born and raised in the Mexican state of Sinaloa by his mother and her four sisters. He learned to make tortillas by hand in his uncle’s restaurant and picked up classic Mexican recipes like cochinita pibil and lengua from his aunts and grandmother. His family moved to the suburbs of Washington, D.C. when he was 17, and, in 2015, Raba partnered with restaurateur Lane Harlan to open Clavel in Remington, Baltimore using his creativity and those family recipes, among other classic Mexican recipes. In 2017, Raba was named Best Chef by Baltimore City Paper; a StarChefs Rising Star Chef in 2018; and a James Beard Award semifinalist in 2022. Also a practitioner of Brazilian jiu jitsu, Raba holds a first degree black belt and is the co-founder of Guardian Baltimore, a 501(c)3 nonprofit martial arts gym in Remington that offers classes in Brazilian jiu jitsu.
Available resources: Accessible seating, assistive listening devices, ASL interpretation, headphones, Sensory Kits
Accessibility resources and accommodations are available for programs and events. Visit our accessibility web page for more information. Please email [email protected] with questions and requests.