Tuesday, May 10, 2016

FREE Art Workshop in Metal Embossing/Repujado

Basket and Corn, by Maria Almeida Natividad
For Adults and Children Ages 7 and Up

Saturday, 14 May 2016
12:00PM - 2:00PM

Seating for maximum of 25 participants
ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED
To register please contact: 915.921.7001 or lopezda@elpasotexas.gov


This workshop focuses on the ancient art of embossing or pressing shapes into metal to create a design. The theme of the workshop will be the missions and Southwest Designs. Aluminum metal plates will be the material used for this workshop. A design is created on paper then transferred to the metal plate. This technique requires applying pressure to the metal plate with a special tool to stretch the metal to create a three dimensional design. The metal is thus tooled to achieve the embossed look. Acrylic paint is used to add an antique look tot he design or special permanent ink markers can be used for adding color to the design.

This technique called repujado, arrived in Mexico during the Spanish colonization. It was born out of the necessity to protect the icons of the churches from the chandelier smoke the environment and time itself. Mexican and South American artisans have used copper and tine for centuries to produce jewelry and ornamental items. Religious images were embossed on tin metal plates initially and today this technique is used with aluminum and copper for many decorative popular arts. 

*Parents are requested to stay at the library during the workshop to help their young children with their art*

Sponsored by the City of El Paso Museum and Cultural Affairs Department and the Texas Commission on the Arts

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