By acknowledging the Hispanic history, culture, and contributions celebrated throughout National Hispanic Heritage Month, D’arte’s 8th grade classes came together to work on a unique project. “We work on a project every year during National Hispanic Heritage Month to showcase our culture. This year we are working on Alebrijes, known as Mexican Folk Art. They’re mystical creatures that’s combine with three of the five elements; water, space, air, land, and fire,” explains D’arte. An Alebrije is a brightly colored Mexican Folk Art that originated in the 1930’s by Pedro Linares, a Mexican famous artist. Alebrijes can be made from papercraft or wood. Furthermore, you will never find two similar Alebrijes. Students were instructed to incorporate three of the five elements to create one animal. This project urged the students to think outside the box and be creative. Students are encouraged to work together in a group but also have the option to work on their own.
Alondra Castillo enjoyed working with her classmates. Aside from building and creating an Alebrije, Castillo was able to build and create new friendships over the course of this project. “This project has helped us work together as a team and getting to know each other better. It’s time-consuming so in a way, we were obligated to constantly communicate with one another, and I got to know different people that I use not talk to prior to this project. It was so much fun!” Castillo along with her classmates were very dedicated to this project, more than anything it ignited unity. “This does not seem like it’s work, only because it’s been so much fun working on this project with my classmates!” Exclaims, Victor Villarreal. The students had fun learning about Alebrijes and the process that came along with it, creating, designing, and building one. D’arte’s Art students demonstrated the art of unity in teamwork.
“We are creating papercraft Alebrijes from scratch, also known as Folk Art as a representation of the Mexican Culture,” adds Chelsea Castillo. “This is very fun and I’m learning so much. I have learned how to build from cardboard and how to make ground paper out of recycled items.” Aside from learning about Alebrijes and how to build them, Diaz Jr. High students are also learning how to be resourceful with recycled materials. Recycled cardboards and paper were repurposed specifically for this project. Even a vintage globe that sat in D’arte’s studio came to good use. It was transformed into an Alebrije’s body, creativity at its finest!
In celebrating and introducing the contributions and accomplishments of Hispanics and Latino Americans we’re embracing the diversity in this nation, in which makes us come together--Unidos/United!