Chicano Humanities and Arts Council (CHAC) and partners Metro State University Chicano/a/x Studies and Journey Through Our Heritage and Colorado Folk Arts Council, invite you to join us in our Set Yourself Frida Virtual Workshop where participants make a self portrait taught by CHAC artists Vanessa Fresquez and Arlette Lucero.

Click here to join the Zoom Workshop on Saturday, November 21!

Participants can create their self-portrait in a variety of ways. The formal way of creating a self-portrait is to use a mirror as a reference when drawing oneself or they can also work from a picture when drawing. Younger students can draw themselves as they imagine in their self-portrait. Participants will be encouraged to draw their self-portrait interacting with their symbolic imagery. Once they have drawn their composition, they can color it in using materials of their own choosing.

Vanessa Fresquez is a Denver Native and Alumni of MSU in Graphic Design. A descendent of Pedro Antonio Fresquez, Vanessa has come into her own as a renowned artist and santera. Arlette Lucero is a Denver Native and alumni of CSU in Fine Arts. Arlette is known as an iconic arts educator, illustrator, painter and muralist.

Frida Kahlo was a self-taught painter, best known for her self-portraits. At eighteen years old, Kahlo was seriously injured in a bus accident. She had to recover in bed for more than a year. During this time, Frida began to pass the time by painting still life and self-portraits. Frida was Inspired by her country’s popular culture. Her paintings are in a native folk art style and often had strong autobiographical elements, mixed with realism with fantasy. In addition to belonging to the post-revolutionary Mexicayotl movement, which sought to define a Mexican identity, Frida Kahlo’s paintings have been described as a Surrealist or Magical Realism.

For more information on the art show call 303-884-6289, visit CHAC Gallery and CHAC on Facebook or contact Asia Fajardo-Diamond.