In this hands-on workshop, participants will become creators of their own amoxtli. Join artist José Hugo Sánchez as he opens a door into the ancient cultures of the Maya, Olmec, Toltec, and Aztec, and explore how their visual traditions can be brought into conversation with contemporary aesthetics.

Participants will create a singular amoxtli, or painted book, of their own through cutting, pasting, printing, painting, and experimentation. Sánchez will guide participants in converting their visions, dreams, and memories into works of art while igniting their flor y canto — their artistic spark.

The workshop will also include the creation of a collective mural. Participants will learn how to juxtapose techniques and styles from different periods of Mesoamerica with images from contemporary popular culture, including DC and Marvel heroes, anime, cartoons, films, magazines, advertisements, and other media.

Come prepared to have fun. The practices you learn will be enjoyable and imaginative, but also focused and intense. They require attention, curiosity, and a willingness to experiment with materials and your own imagination.

What to Bring

Participants are encouraged to bring:

• Old posters and magazines of all kinds, including fashion, music, comics, anime, advertisements, or other printed materials
  

• Three objects that are special or magical to you
  

Please note: these objects may be inked and printed during the workshop. The ink is water-based, and the objects will be washed, cleaned, and returned to you at the end.

The workshop on this date, July 19, is designed for adult participants.

For the version of this workshop designed for youth, please see the event page for July 18.