CREATIVE ART WORKSHOPS IN DENVER
FRIDA KAHLO – Queen of the Selfie
As one of the most recognizable faces in Mexican Art, Frida Kahlo perfected selfies long before the rest of us! Students will learn how Frida chose images from her world to express her thoughts and feelings, and then make their own mixed-media “selfie” collage. Through their artworks, students will understand the principles of visual storytelling, self-portraiture, and concepts of depth such as foreground, middle ground, and background.
Recommended 6th grade through High School
DIEGO RIVERA – A Man & His Murals
Diego Rivera’s iconic murals were powerful statements about society and politics. He used special artistic techniques to elevate his messages, leaving a lasting mark as one of Mexico’s most famous artists. In this workshop, students will use teamwork to transform their unique thoughts and feelings into a collaborative mural about today’s most pressing issues. They will also explore the power of images to convey diverse perspectives.
Recommended 7th grade through College
POSADA PRINTMAKING – The Art of Protest
Jose Guadalupe Posada, creator of the iconic Dia de los Muertos skeletons, was a shrewd social critic who used satirical imagery and humor to spark protest and social change. Using printmaking techniques alongside a discussion about Posada’s use of art as a subtle tool of resistance, students will create their own protest print about a topic of their choice. They also learn how to write a satirical poem to accompany their print.
Recommended 6th grade through College
FAMILY STORIES – Illustrating Your Story
Carmen Lomas Garza’s book Family Pictures // Cuadros de Familia features colorful and detailed illustrations of memorable experiences with the author’s family and their traditions. Through observations about the book, students will understand that each family has a story and art can be a powerful storyteller. In this workshop, students will learn about different family traditions and create their own watercolor paintings of their stories or traditions.
Recommended 1st through 4th grades
GUATEMALAN TEXTILES – Weaving Identity and Place
How do we express ourselves with what we wear? Students taking this workshop will be introduced to Guatemala and the colorful world of the Maya as they learn about weaving. They will also learn how people in Guatemala design their clothing to identify where they come from. Younger students will create designs out of fabric scraps. Older students get to test their motor skills by learning how to weave.
Recommended 1st through 12th grades
VEJIGANTE – Masks of Puerto Rico
The Vejigante is a masked creature who both fascinates and frightens young children with his mischievous antics, especially during festivals in Ponce and Loiza in Puerto Rico. This workshop explores Puerto Rico’s vibrant and rhythmic festivals, the mixed history of the Vejigante and the country’s relationship to the United States. Students will create the horned mask of the mysterious and charismatic Vejigante as they listen to the sounds of Bomba music and learn about cultural blending.
Recommended 5th grade through College
DÍA DE MUERTOS – A Living Tradition
In our most popular workshop, students decorate sugar skulls and create paper marigolds and papel picado. Students will leave this workshop with a better understanding of how life and death are celebrated during Día de Muertos and have a chance to celebrate their own loved ones through art. We will discuss the concept of cultural evolution and explore how colonization has influenced traditions.
Recommended for All Ages
“EL MOVIMIENTO” – The Chicano Movement in Denver
Learn about the vibrant Chicano movement that started a wave of demands for equality within the Chicano youth of Denver. This movement also started an artistic renaissance that inspired social justice change through art. Through the workshop, students will come to learn about the importance of their voices and how a movement in the Denver community impacted Chicano art and history. Students will create a creative protest sign depicting a social justice topic of their choice. Students will also be encouraged to voice their passionate opinions through an artistic action.
Recommended 8th grade through College
“BIOPLASTIC” STEAM WORKSHOP – Region of Origin: Mesoamerica
In Conjunction with CU Boulder College of Engineering and Applied Science, ATLAS Institution, we introduce students to bioplastic materials and teach them how they are made, used and decomposed in the natural environment. Historical awareness of the art of mosaic, what it was used to represent and the resources to create it. In addition, students will learn about reusable materials used by the people of Mesoamerica.
Recommended 6th grade through College (Can be adapted to grades 1st through 5th)
MURAL CRAWL – Santa Fe Arts District
The neighborhood that surrounds Museo de las Americas is full of rich history. During this guided hour-long walk through the neighborhood, students engage in conversation, explanation, and history of the ever-changing murals that cover the alleys, fences, and buildings in the heart of the Santa Fe Arts District.
Learning Objective: Students will engage in discussions to learn about the history of the various murals throughout the Santa Fe Arts District.
