Self Help Graphics & Art in East LA is offering FREE Dia de los Muertos workshops throughout the month of October. There are a lot of exciting workshops to explore, and looks to be worth checking out! All you have to do is wear clothes that can get messy, and show up on time!
Self Help Graphics & Art
3802 Cesar E. Chavez Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90063
Phone (323) 881-6444
Check out their website for more info.
Paper Flower Making / Flores de Papel
OCTOBER 3, OCTOBER 10, OCTOBER 17 & OCTOBER 24, 2009
1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Come learn the tradition of creating handcrafted paper flowers with Master Altar Maker, Ofelia Esparza and the Esparza Family. Many of the flowers you create will be used for the community altar which is one of the yearly traditions at Self Help Graphic’s Dia De Los Muertos Celebration each November 2. There will be paper flowers to take home too. You can make small and big flowers of multiple colors. This workshop is open to all ages. No experience is necessary.
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Paper Mache Mask
OCTOBER 3, OCTOBER 10, OCTOBER 17 & OCTOBER 24, 2009
1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Learn to create your very own calavera mask with artist, Dewey Tafoya. Dewey made plaster forms for you to build your paper mask on, which makes the classic Paper Mache calaca-look easy to achieve. Create your mask on one Saturday, let it dry for a week, then come back the following Saturday to paint and glitter it! Making masks is a two-part process, be sure to make time in your schedule for 2 Saturdays. Small kids will need help with mask making—they should bring a parent, older sister or brother to assist them.
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Dia De Los Muertos Mascara Decorating
OCTOBER 3, OCTOBER 10, OCTOBER 17 & OCTOBER 24, 2009
1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Join crafter, Becky Cortez to decorate a one-dimensional, calaca mascara (mask) created by a SHG artist and printed on card stock. This workshop is challenging for young and old, because there are different materials for you to select from for personalizing your mascara. They each come out beautifully unique! We encourage you to wear the mascara you created and decorated to Self Help Graphic’s Dia de los Muertos procession on November 2!
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Papel Picado
OCTOBER 3 & OCTOBER 24, 2009
1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
A guest artist will teach the basics of papel picado using some simple cutting techniques and a template. Create traditional Day of the Dead designed cut-outs that you can use to display as panels and banners. This papel picado workshop is best suited to students who can use scissors and can follow a template. Some of these paper picado panels will be displayed as part of the community altar at Self Help Graphic’s Annual Dia de los Muertos Celebration, some will be for your Dia de los Muertos altar at home too. Parents are encouraged to attend classes with their child.
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Papel Picado
OCTOBER 10 & OCTOBER 17, 2009
1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Papel Picado goddess, Margaret Sosa is teaching this session—don’t miss out! Learn the basics of papel picado with some simple cutting techniques and the use of a template. Create traditional Day of the Dead designed cut-outs that you can use to display as panels and banners. This papel picado workshop is best suited to students who can use scissors and can follow a template. Some of these paper picado panels will be displayed as part of the community altar at Self Help Graphic’s Annual Dia de los Muertos Celebration, some will be for your Dia de los Muertos altar at home too. Parents are encouraged to attend classes with their child.
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Luminarias
OCTOBER 10, OCTOBER 17 & OCTOBER 24, 2009
1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Come to the world premiere of Theresa Hernandez’s Day of the Dead themed luminaria making workshop. With simple materials, paints and calaca inspired decor, create a beautiful hand-made luminaria that you can prominently place at your home for beckoning los espiritos. Luminarias are made from paper bags, weighted down with sand and are illuminated from within by a lit candle and traditionally line walk ways and paths. More recently, they are becoming a traditional addition to a Day of Dead altar for guiding the spirits to the treats that await them. Theresa Hernandez is a long time Self Help Graphics’ artist with an extensive background in printing. This is a fun and easy craft for all ages.
Bedrock, a rehearsal and recording space, is set to open in Echo Park. This should make many neighborhood musicians pretty happy. For those of us who would otherwise never set foot in a rehearsal space we can still sneak a peak at the opening party on October 25th. RSVP, then when you arrive you’ll be given a map with food and drink tickets. There will be people to answer your questions and this will be a family friendly event so bring your budding musicians, too. Don’t be too quick to think you won’t be hanging out at Bedrock in the future, though. This place has big plans like a coffee house and a microbrewery. A rooftop garden will supply food for the coffeehouse and three hotel suites will be available for rent. They have hourly air conditioned rehearsal rooms starting at $15/hr. Nothing to rehearse with? Check out the store, take your gear to the repair shop or rent instruments and amps right there. They are certainly living up to the word compound. Many a musician in town to record will probably end up living at Bedrock which will make it an local interesting business to keep track of. Keep reading for more info and to see the full list of offerings from the Bedrock website.
