Come join us for a workshop on natural jewelry-making with Jesus Escandon, an indigenous student with Purépecha and Nahua roots. Jesus will be leading a workshop in creating jewelry and teaching about the history and language of the craft. All materials will be provided by MOLAA, and the jewelry is yours to take home! Registration is required. Please arrive on time, as space is limited.
Natural Beadwork with Jesús Escandón: In this workshop everyone in attendance will have the opportunity to make their own organic beaded necklace. With a wide variety of organic beads varying from bone to crop seeds. The workshop begins with a communal blessing will be done for all participants that enter the beading circle. This will be done to set the environment to teach participants how to enter a space respectfully while allowing their creativity to be strengthened by their own roots and upbringings. There will be a short discussion for the history of beadwork and the communal/artisanal relationship people all over the world have with the medium. Resources for further beading practices will also be provided via books and recommendations. The workshop will start with given diagrams to follow the necklace base while also allowing participants to create their own unique style of beadwork depending on taught stitches (no single necklace should be the same). Such stitches include adding fringes, netting, and simply strengthening a necklace cord. All of which will result in a quality necklace of rich history and craftsmanship. Further helping the participant develop a preference and style of beading. Hence showcasing their unique beauty and personalities. Throughout the workshop there will be guidance and the space will be treated as one that prioritizes community first.
Cost: $25.00
Based in South LA and raised by an immigrant household, Jesús Adrián Escandón is a Purhépecha and Nahua artist. Dabbling in both contemporary and traditional art mediums including but not limited to, writing, drawing, painting, beading, sculpting and textile production. All of this to express his community and himself to the highest level of complexity. His artwork highlights the beauty of Indigenous People and Culture while offering the contemporary image that mainstream media fails to recognize.
Since childhood, expression through the arts has always held a key role in his life. Finding strength in the dual connection of his own self awareness and the community that feeds his spirit. While also continuing the generational inheritance of art from which his grandparents also contributed to uplifting their people’s legacy.