It’s almost that time of year again! This year, for the Day of the Dead festivities, our resident master paper-mache artist from Mexico, Joel Garcia, will be returning once again. Learn how he creates his magical pieces and create some magic of your own!
Joel Garcia is a papier-mâché artist from Mexico City. His work has been featured in galleries and museums throughout Mexico and the United States. Joel (pronounced “ho-el”) follows a centuries old tradition of creating papier-mâché figures that are both ceremonial and decorative. He has apprenticed with the late Pedro Linares, famous for his Alebrijes or “whimsical dragons” — and the creative resurgence of papier-mâché craft. Joel’s pieces incorporate a variety of sculpture techniques that include molds, metal wire and bamboo armatures, and miniature assemblages. His pieces are brightly colored with acrylic and aniline paints. Like many Mexican folk artists, he draws his inspiration from many sources. His playful creations incorporate themes from nature, religion, historical and cultural events. He is most famous for his interpretation of characters found in the works of Jose Guadalupe Posada, Diego Rivera and Frida Khalo. His colorful muertos adorn many an altar during Day of the Dead festivities.
This year Joel will be holding workshops on Friday, October 26th - Monday, October 29th. Workshops consist of two 3 hour classes, at $20/hr. Generally, the first class is reserved for the building and modeling of the figurine, and the second class for the intricate painting and decorative process. There is a one class minimum per person. The schedule for this year is as follows:
Friday, October 26th 4-7 pm
Saturday, October 27th 12-3 pm and 4-7 pm
Sunday, October 28th 12-3 pm
Monday, October 29th 4-7 pm
Spaces are limited, so hurry and reserve yours! Please call the shop to reserve your space at 215-925-0193!
| Join Our Mailing List |
