hecho a mano: Hojalata Magic with Brandon Benitez

Join us as we craft as a community and share our experiences and stories. Brandon Benitez will be conducting a workshop around making hojalatas. This aluminum/tin art practice is a famous tradition in folk art in Latin America that is utilized in ornaments, frames, wall art, and other decorative arts. Brandon will demonstrate unique methods of patterning and repujado (embossing) and encourage improvisation and personalization. This will be an exercise in decoration as magic and power through personal expression. By transforming and combining everyday materials like tin and paper, the result will be take-home ornaments or charms that will brighten any space or place.

Brandon Benitez is an artist and writer pursuing a Dual Master’s Degree in Visual and Critical studies at the Pacific Northwest College of Art. Growing up in Orange County, California, pop culture, color, and celebrations determined major expressions of community and identity that embodied their studies in illustration and print media. Currently, Brandon reconsiders art practice through a described “decorative magic” and space transformation. Thus, being a decorator becomes their foremost art role. Utilizing craft, they incorporate cultural production with communal origins and personifying aesthetics.

Running Time: 3 hours
Age Recommendation: Ages 6+