Feria Árbol de la Vida ? April 19, 2008, 12pm to 10pm

On Saturday April 19th, 2008 12pm to 10pm, celebrate

life at Self Help Graphics & Art’s Feria Árbol de la

Vida. This unique observance of Mother-earth is taking place in the spring, when seeds are sown, when new beginnings are celebrated and when the earth

beckons us each to look inward to realize that Todos

somos de la misma raiz/We are all from the same root. 

Feria Árbol de la Vida is a FREE event for the entire

family.  Featuring an afternoon of children’s

workshops, a variety of new organic foods and

refreshments, live art and top local performers. 

Join hosts Fidel Rodriguez of Divine Forces Radio &

members of The Pocho Hour of Power for this special

day in the ELA sun.  Our live entertainment program

includes La Banda Skalavera, Miktlan, Cava,

Leafblowers, PACHAMAMA, El-Haru Kuroi, Son del Centro, Los Poets Del Norte, Teatro East of the River, Michael

Heralda the Aztec Storyteller, and more. 

Feria Árbol de la Vida Children’s Workshops 12pm to

5pm  The following workshop will take place concurrently in

the Self Help Graphics’ ballroom on April 19 only:

Arbol de la Vida Clay Sculptures with Marianne

Sadowski - Drawing on symbols from their own lives,

the children will learn to construct their own

personal tree of life out of clay.  There will be

paints, sequins, and beads to further personalize El

Arbolito de la Vida.  Marianne Sadowski is an artist

and art teacher who was born in Mexico City and now

lives in Los Angeles, with her husband and two sons.

She completed her Masters in Painting in Mexico City

and has exhibited her art throughout Mexico and the

US. She has been teaching art for over 15 years in

schools, museums and cultural centers. Currently she

works for the LA County Museum of Art (LACMA) and City Arts Resources (CARS).

Broken Pottery Mosaic with Dewey Tafoya - Have you

noticed the beautiful colors and types of broken

pottery on the Self Help Graphics’ Virgen grotto?  We

have much more broken pottery to use in creating your

own outdoor vase.  Learn to adhere broken dishes and tiles to a clay pot, than seal the pieces to create a

beautiful home for a plant.  Dewey Tafoya a native of

Boyle Heights and graduate of UCLA, has been coming to Self Help Graphics since he was a kid. In the last 5

or more years, Dewey has been a dedicated volunteer

for Dia de los Muertos, teaching Paper Mache and mask decorating.  Bring a plant pot to this workshop.

Zine Making with Becky Cortez - A “Zine” is an

abbreviation of the word “Magazine” and is usually

created in a small circulation for self-publishing

purposes.  Using the collage style of cutting images

and words from magazines, the children will create

pages incorporating nature themes.  The children’s

zines will be photocopied for exchanging and

collecting. Becky Cortez, a native of Texas is an

elementary school teacher in a progressive Los Angeles magnet school. She is currently in a Master’s Degree

program, yet has always made time to lead children’s

art workshops at Self Help Graphics for the last 4

years.   Bring magazines to share and cut, also bring

your favorite scissors. 

Create a Bark Cloth Painting with Ofelia Esparza - By

using items found around the house—learn how to create a bark-like cloth painting.  This technique is meant

to replicate the Amatle bark paintings of the Mayans.

The Amatle tree’s snake-like massive roots grow

downward from the limbs, powerfully latching onto

other trees, cliffs and buildings with a strangulation

hold.  The impressive and beautiful bark of the

Amatle, according to legend was used to dress the

Goddesses.  Ofelia Esparza is a Master Altar Maker and visual artist from East Los Angeles.  Her family’s

intergenerational knowledge of traditional Mexican art

making and the preservation of those skills in the

United States, have made them the subject of studies,

books, lectures and documentaries. 

Nature Painting with Antonio Rael - Born and raised in

Los Angeles, Antonio Rael’s paintings with a bold

style of bright colors and black outlines, have been

featured on concert posters, magazine covers and the

merchandising of Latino Pop. His charming designs and themes capture his Latino heritage through its

symbolism, spirituality and mysticism.  Antonio has

led children’s art workshops for over 13 years and

loves the creativity and energy that kids bring.  Join

Antonio for a unique afternoon of inspiration,

imagination and sharing.  To see Antonio’s work go to

www.latinopopshop.com