Original Tigua Paintings

Dramatic Adventure Theatre is commissioning a series of original paintings from Andean artist Magdalena Toaquiza.  An incredibly talented artist in her own right, Magdalena is also the daughter of the Tigua movement founder, Julio Toaquiza.  We have asked her to illustrate scenes from “A Girl Without Wings” and recently received her sketches.  They are stunning.  We love this kind of cross-cultural collaboration!  We can’t wait to see the final paintings.  This is one of the sketches.  How cool is that?

We’re particularly interested in the Andean instrument-making workshop on Saturday!

Celebrate Spring! Workshops (For All Ages) on Traditional Arts from the Andes, Mexico, and Puerto Rico by Master Artists

Location: Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Boulevard, Queens
Admission: $10 General; $0 Members

The New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) and Flushing Town Hall are pleased to present Workshops (For All Ages) on Traditional Arts from the Andes, Mexico, and Puerto Rico by Master Artists from the NYFA Folk Artist Development Program. The series will focus on the theme of how these art forms are transmitted and transformed from the artists’ homelands to the multicultural context of NYC. 

Saturday, March 31, 2012, 2:00-5:00pm

MEXICAN PAPER ART WORKSHOP
Join Master Mexican paper artist, Aurelia Fernandez, for a workshop based on the tradition of celebrating spring by giving children feathers in school. This lively workshop will show children and adults alike how to make animal hats from paper and found objects.

ANDEAN INSTRUMENT-MAKING WORKSHOP
Juan “Pepe” Santana will lead a workshop in making Andean instruments from Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia. Participants will have the opportunity to build a pentatonic panpipe called palla and will learn how to play simple Andean melodies. No need to read music!

Sunday, April 15, 2012, 2:00-5:00pm

VEJIGANTE MASK MAKING WORKSHOP
Felipe Rangel will lead a fascinating workshop on the Puerto Rican Vejigante mask tradition used at celebrations in New York and at home in Puerto Rico. Felipe will discuss the techniques of making these elaborate masks and teach you how to create a small mask of your own. All levels are welcome.

MEXICAN PAPER FLOWER MAKING WORKSHOP
Colorful Mexican paper flowers and the intricate papel picado (cut paper banners) are used in both secular and religious celebrations throughout the year including weddings and holidays. Join Margarita Larios from Puebla, Mexico and craft paper flowers or papel picado in celebration of your specific theme or event.

Materials provided. Limited seating, please reserve in advance. For more information and to RSVP, please call: 718-463-7700 x 222.

CELEBRATE SPRING workshops are a collaboration between the NYFA Folk Artist Development Program and Flushing Town Hall. It is made possible, in part, through the generous support of MetLife Foundation.

Some info on the inspiration: Williamson’s play is largely influenced by “Tigua paintings,” currently the most famous Andean art form.

Julio Toaquiza, an indigenous Ecuadorian painter and farmer from a small collection of Andean communities called “Tigua,” is credited as the pioneer of this art form as he was the first to transfer ancient folk stories from the oral tradition to pulled sheepskin stretched over wooden frames. This marked the first Quechuan art to appear on a flat surface.

It is now the most popular medium used to convey indigenous stories and even contemporary events.  The paintings are marked by their typically small size, bright colors, vivid details, tendency to personify nature and, in general, by their vibrant depictions of rural life featuring landscapes, festivals, and traditions. Tigua paintings focus on communal life and avoid portraiture and abstract conventions.

A Girl Without Wings strings some of Williamson’s favorite stills together in a poetic and colorful “Tigua painting for the stage.”  Que linda!