News and Articles

YOUTH ART EXHIBIT OPENING
Friday, May 1, 2015
5:30 – 7:30pm
MUSEUM of SPANISH COLONIAL ART
730 Camino Lejo

The mission of the Spanish Colonial Arts Society is to promote, preserve, encourage, and educate the public about the study of the Spanish colonial arts and its related cultures and living traditions. The Society’s museum and collection serve as the center for our educational programs, which are a vital part of the way in which we achieve our mission.

The Spanish Colonial Arts Society sponsors a free educational outreach program, “Art Connections” in public and private schools in Northern New Mexico. These classes are in the traditional Spanish colonial arts and are taught by experienced Market artists. Classes are taught in retablos, straw appliqué, tinwork, colcha embroidery and weaving. The artists bring examples of their art work and also give a demonstration to introduce the art form. Each student who participates receives the materials and training to complete an individual art project and an invitation to visit the museum with their family for free.

This year, for the first time and with funding from the Dollars 4 Schools initiative, we extended this program to the Santa Fe County Youth Development program (see additional information section below).

This exhibit features three of the Spring 2015 outreach venues:
• Wood Gormley Elementary School
• Rio Grande School
• Santa Fe County Youth Development Program

We are grateful to our donors whose gifts make our Education Outreach Programs possible and in particular to Dollars 4 Schools, an initiative of the Santa Fe Community Foundation. We would also like to express our thanks to our Spanish Market Artists for sharing their time and knowledge with our youth.

For information contact the Museum of Spanish Colonial Art at 505-982-2226 or admissions@spanishcolonial.org.

Additional Information Specific to Santa Fe County

Santa Fe County Youth Development Program recently partnered with the Spanish Colonial Art Society, through the support of the Santa Fe Community Foundation.

In March 2015, Mr. Shane Casias a local artist and jeweler conducted a class (picture below) . The class taught residents the fundamentals of jewelry making. Mr. Casias provided the materials and tools for residents to use. He explained the steps and history of distinctive techniques. The jewelry made by the residents will be featured and displayed at later date by the Spanish Colonial Arts Society.

Mr. Casias is a member of the Spanish Colonial Arts Society. He began his silversmithing at the age of 17 and is from a family of artists. He credits his New Mexico upbringing for his early inspiration. His talent has continued to develop into a style of fastidious precisions and fine detailing, his work has been featured in the traditional Spanish Market since 2011.