As part of Hispanic Heritage Month, join us for two workshops dedicated to empowering individuals and diaspora communities through collective art-making and cultural preservation, led by artist and community partner Veronica Olivares-Weber. This initiative aims to foster a deeper connection with Latinx heritage and with local communities while celebrating the vibrant traditions that define our culture. Cosponsored by the Lewis Center for the Arts, Program for Community-Engaged Scholarship (ProCES), Department of Art & Archaeology, Latino Princetonians, and Princeton Latin American Student Association.
Papier-mâché (Cartonería) Workshop
September 28 from 2-4 PM
Drapkin Studio, on the second floor of the Lewis Arts complex
In this workshop, we’ll dive into the art of Papier-mâché, known as “cartonería” in Mexico, a versatile and culturally rich art form. Participants will create unique folk art sculptures of fantastical creatures using paper, wheat paste, and sometimes wire for structural support. These sculptures will be brought to life with bright colors and intricate designs, reflecting the lively spirit of Mexican culture.
Cartonería has been an integral part of Mexican culture for centuries, used to create everything from decorative sculptures to ceremonial figures. This art form is a testament to the creativity and resilience of Latinx communities, incorporating local traditions and themes that continue to resonate today.
Registration required. Community members are welcome to join us, including children over 8 who are welcome with parents/guardians, and minors over 14 welcome on their own.
Note: While all seats are currently reserved for this workshop, interested participants may wish to come to the workshop a few minutes before the start time with the possibility some currently registered participants may not attend.
Register for Sept. 28 Workshop
Metal Embossing (Repujado) Workshop
October 7 from 12-1:30 PM
Julis Romo Rabinowitz Building, SIMPS B60 A+B+C (Meeting Room)
Join us in celebrating Latinx culture by exploring the traditional art of metal embossing, known as “repujado.” In this workshop, participants will learn how to create intricate, raised designs on thin sheets of metal such as tin, copper, or aluminum. By tracing patterns onto the metal and using various embossing tools, you’ll craft a three-dimensional piece of art. To further connect with Mexican heritage, participants will have the opportunity to apply vibrant colors that highlight the cultural patterns characteristic of this art form. Rooted in the rich history of pre-Columbian civilizations like the Aztecs and Mayans, Mexican embossing carries forward traditional motifs that symbolize the deep cultural heritage of these ancient societies. Today, artists continue to blend these traditional designs with modern aesthetics, keeping the art form both alive and relevant.
Registration required. Early registration is encouraged as spaces are limited (limit 50 participants). Adult community members are welcome to join the Princeton University Community at this event.
Note: While all seats are currently reserved for this workshop, interested participants may wish to come to the workshop a few minutes before the start time with the possibility some currently registered participants may not attend.
Register for Oct. 7 Workshop
Directions & Access Information
Get directions to the Lewis Arts complex and find other venue information.
Get directions to Julis Romo Rabinowitz Building located on the Princeton University campus.
Accessibility
All Lewis Arts complex venues are accessible. Visit our Venues and Studios section for accessibility information at our various locations. Students in need of access accommodations are invited to contact the Lewis Center at 609-258-5262 or email LewisCenter@princeton.edu at least one week in advance of the event date.
About the Guest Artist
Veronica Olivares-Weber has been a teaching artist for over twenty years. She discovered her passion for art when she moved to New York City in 1996, where she took ceramics courses for several years at Teachers College Columbia University and audited art history classes at Columbia University. In 2001, Veronica volunteered at the Children’s Garden Studio and taught art and Montessori classes for preschoolers.
Originally from Guadalajara, Mexico, Veronica loves integrating her culture, heritage, and language into her art classes. In 2007, she joined the faculty at the Arts Council of Princeton. She has been teaching weekly art classes, summer camps, and afterschool art classes for several elementary schools, along with community art workshops. Veronica has also participated in local community art exhibitions and free programs for low-income students.
Veronica has created two bilingual classes, “Spanish Through Art“ and “The Movement of the Muralist,” both focused on teaching different art mediums and the artwork of Mexican artists and exploring Mexican cultural heritage. In 2022, she helped create the free art program “Smart Kids” for low-income middle school students. She has also been organizing and coordinating Day of the Dead events for over 15 years at the Arts Council of Princeton and has built altars for the holiday. During the fall of 2020, Veronica co-curated a Day of the Dead exhibition at the Taplin Gallery for the Arts Council of Princeton, and in the fall of 2021, she co-curated and helped install in the Dohm Alley a Day of the Dead installation along with the Arts Council artistic director.
In the spring of 2022, Veronica served as Artist-in-Residence for the third-grade classes at the Community Park Elementary School in Princeton, where her residency was focused on Papier Mãché and Mexican Tin Art Milagros.
Veronica has served as the Vice-Chair of Latino America Legal Defense Fund (LALDEF), Princeton Recreation Department Board, Housing Initiative of Princeton, Code for Princeton, Princeton Red Umbrella, Code Equal, and the Arts Council of Princeton. Currently, she is in her third year of service as the Chair of the Princeton Human Services Commission. In 2009, her volunteer efforts were recognized by the Arts Council of Princeton with the Volunteer Award of the Year.
In an effort to share her culture and heritage in the Princeton community, Veronica created and founded the Festival Cultural Latino, which annually brings together local Latinx artists, business owners, artisans, and performers to celebrate Latino Heritage Month.
