UCLA Latin American Institute partners with arts organization to provide free art workshops to the Northeast L.A. community
Workshop Series on a Traditional Mexican Folk Art
This is a FREE five-week class on Mexican paper cutting, known as papel picado.The series is organized by Avenue 50 Studio and facilitated by master papel picado artist Margaret Sosa. The program is generously funded by The Alliance of California Traditional Arts and the UCLA Latin American Institute.
Students will learn how to cut this traditional folk art on tissue paper to create banners that can be used as decorations for festive events or on altars. A brief history of papel picado will also be discussed. All supplies will be provided and no previous art experience is necessary.
First series classes are held on Sundays:
March 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd and the 29th.
10:00 a.m. − 12:00 p.m.
Second Series classes are held on Saturdays:
April 25th, May 2nd, May 9th, May 16th, May 23rd
10:30 a.m. − 12:30 p.m.
Avenue 50 Studio
131 N Avenue 50, Los Angeles, CA 90042
Phone: (323) 258-1435
ave50studio@sbcglobal.net
*All sessions are full, there may be a waitlist available for the next series.
K-12 educators: There will be a papel picado workshop geared specifically for teachers on May 3.
About Margaret Sosa:
Margaret Sosa has been working as a paper cutter in the Mexican style known as papel picado for over 25 years. She learned the art form from master paper cutter, Olga Ponce Furginson, serving as her apprentice for many years. To further her skills, she traveled with Olga to Mexico to meet Mexican papel picado artists. Margaret’s work has been exhibited galleries and museums throughout the Los Angeles area and as far away as Glasgow Scotland. She has received countless commissions for her work and several master artist grants to teach papel picado. She has taught children and adults of all ages. Margaret worked for over ten years at Self Help Graphics in East Los Angeles and was inspired by the artists there to study art. Margaret is a graduate of California State University Los Angeles, where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in studio art. Her sister Josie Alarcón has now joined her and the two work together providing workshops and cutting paper. Margaret lives in Los Angeles with her husband, she has five children and ten grandchildren.