Events
Join us and immerse yourself in the Mexican folk art and traditions.
Mexican Folk Art Collective in La Crosse, Wi – ArtSpire
HISTORY: Alebrijes started in Mexico City many years ago. It all began with an artist named Pedro Linares (1906-1992). When Pedro was 30, he fell very ill and had a high fever that made him see strange and wonderful things. In his dreams, he saw a forest full of fantastical creatures—animals with wings, long tails, sharp teeth, and they all had one thing in common: they kept saying the word alebrijes—a word Pedro had never heard before. It didn’t mean anything in Spanish, but in his dream, it felt just right.
Pedro decided to bring these creatures to life. He started creating them using paper and paste. He painted them with beautiful, bright colors and patterns, turning his dream into something real. And so, alebrijes became part of Mexico’s folk art tradition, especially in a technique called cartonería, which is like paper mache, but with deep roots in Mexican culture.
PROJECT: At Artspire we’re going to create our own alebrijes! Just like Pedro, we’ll start by sketching our own fantastical creatures, letting our imaginations run wild. Then, using air-dry clay and aluminum foil, we’ll shape our creatures, adding our own wings, tails, spikes, or anything else that comes to mind. You’ll add color, bring your creature to life, and fill your day with inspiration, joy, and maybe a little bit of magic.
Workshop Timeline
The workshop will happen every hour and a half, limited to 40 participants per timeslot
10:00 am
11:30 am
1:00 pm
2:30 pm
4:00 pm
5:30 pm
Sign up suggested. Sign up anytime at the booth, day-of, and show up at beginning of requested timeslot to participate
Mexican Folk Art Collective in Sheboygan, Wi – Above & Beyond Children’s Museum
“We are excited to announce we have invited Mexican artist Gabriela Marván to create and co-curate programming for the next evolution of our Culture Exchange Exhibit. Gabriela works as a Cartonería in Viroqua Wisconsin and is founder of the Mexican Folk Art Collective.”
“Nos alegra anunciar que hemos invitado a la artista mexicana Gabriela Marván a crear y co-curar la programación de la próxima edición de nuestra Exhibición de Intercambio Cultural Comunitario. Gabriela trabaja como cartonera en Viroqua, Wisconsin, y es fundadora del Colectivo de Arte Popular Mexicano.”
Alebrijes Workshop
July 12th, 13th. 10:00-11:00, 2:00-3:00 each day
Join us as artist and co-curator of our new Culture Exchange Exhibit / Intercambio Cultural Comunitario Gabriela Marván leads us in a traditional alebrijes building workshop. We will explore the art of traditional Mexican cartonería and the origins of the alebrijes sculptures.
Registration is limited
Day of the Dead Workshops
October 25th 10:00-11:00, 2:00-3:00 each day
Join us as artist and co-curator of our new Culture Exchange Exhibit / Intercambio Cultural Comunitario Gabriela Marván leads a traditional paper cut workshop for kids and families. This workshop will help produce a community created altar exploring the Dia De Los Metros celebration, and the ofrenda altar’s role in Mexican culture.
Registration is limited
Day of the Dead Ofrenda Building Demonstration
October 26th 9:30-2:00
Join us as artist and co-curator of our new Culture Exchange Exhibit / Intercambio Cultural Comunitario Gabriela Marván builds a traditional Ofrenda in the exhibit space.
Registration not required- drop in anytime!
Past Events:
“La Décima Musa” Sor Juana Fest 2025
The Braided Janes co-produced and performed for the National Museum of Mexican Art‘s 31st annual SOR JUANA Festival 2025. We’re so grateful for everyone who attended and shared their incredible energy with us!
4th Annual Driftless Region’s Día de Muertos
15270 Haucke Ln, Viola, WI
October 5th, 2024
Día de Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is one of the most important traditions in Mexico. The festivity commemorates deceased loved ones by honoring and remembering them through ofrendas or altars decorated with traditional elements and items that represent those who have passed on to welcome them and guide their souls on their journey back home.
The Driftless Region’s Día de Muertos Celebration is a free, one-day outdoor event offering modalities to celebrate and learn including engagement in Mexican folk art, traditions, food and community. A collective Día de Muertos ofrenda is constructed during the event. This year, the ofrenda will honor those who have worked in the food system, including farmers, food workers, chefs, food system activists, and everyone in between who spent their life in service to the beautiful work of feeding people. We invite attendees to honor the beloved people in their lives who have passed away by bringing a photo, food, or other meaningful item to place on the community ofrenda.
There will be Mexican folk art and food for sale.
No pets allowed. Camping available. Contact joy@driftlesscuriosity.org to register for a camping site.
This event is FREE and open to the public! To learn more, visit https://driftlesscuriosity.org/day-of-the-dead/
Papel Picado Workshop
McIntosh Memorial Library, Viroqua, WI.
205 S Rock Ave, Viroqua, WI 54665
September 5th, 2024
On Thursday, September 5th, come to the Viroqua Library and learn how to make papel picado! The art made on this workshop will be display at the 4th Annual Día de Muertos Celebration on October 5th.
a Latino Arts, Inc. and Mexican Folk Art Collective Exhibition
From December 8th to February 23th, 2024
1028 S 9TH ST., MILWAUKEE
This event is FREE and open to the public! To learn more, visit https://www.latinoartsinc.org
Gallery Hours:
MON. – FRI
December 8, 2023 – February 23, 2024
10:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
This exhibition is showcasing traditional and contemporary Mexican Art based on our roots, traditions and our life as migrants. MFA Collective artwork represents more than 20 Mexican and Mexican American artists:
3D ART
TEXTILES
Andrea Muñiz-USA
Julieta Zavala-USA
Nadia Figueroa-MEX
Pedro Netzahualcoyotl-MEX
Rosalina Gutiérrez-MEX
GUEST AND COLLABORATIVE ARTISTS
CAFÉ CON ARTE | JANUARY 26 8:30am-10:30am:
Meet the artists to know more about the process and meaning of their art.
Mexican Fiber Arts
Traditional Weaving & Natural Dyes
by Nadia Figueroa, and Andrea Muñiz
April 19th-21
Driftless Curiosity Inc.
15270 Haucke Ln
Viola, WI 54664
Details:
This unique 3-day offering is a collaboration between the Mexican Folk Art Collective and Driftless Curiosity – the organizations who brought you the Driftless Region’s Día de Muertos Celebration. Nadia Figueroa, Andrea Muñiz, will lead workshops on natural dyes and traditional weaving. On Friday, they will use dried marigold petals from the 2023 Dia de Muertos Celebration, as well as other natural dyes like walnut, indigo, and grana cochinilla, to teach color recipes that have been passed down for generations in Mexico. On Saturday and Sunday, they will teach two simple designs using traditional weaving techniques and embroidery. Each participant will go home with a piece they create. Nadia is a fashion designer from Mexico City who specializes in “slow fashion” and has dedicated her time to researching the original dye recipes of the Florentine Codex from the Central part of Mexico. These artists will collaborate to share their expertise in Mexican Fiber Arts. Instruction will be given in Spanish and translated into English, with multiple translators available to assist throughout the weekend, making this offering a great language immersion experience as well!
Natural Dyes Only
4/19/24
$60
Mexican Fiber Arts Full Weekend
4/19/24 – 4/21/24
$180
Thank you for attending to our Día de los Muertos celebration
See you in 2024!
Location: Keewaydin Farms (15270 Haucke Ln, Viola, Wisconsin, 54664.
