They love the artistic results: Participants in LS program learned Mexican tradition

Throughout October, a series of workshops at the Mid-Continent libraries mixed two Mexican traditions with a creative twist. Instructor Sarah Hirtzel took the symbol of sugar skulls, prominent on Dia de los Muertos, and combined them with hojalata, a Mexican art form that uses sheets of tin.

In hojalata, you create a design on a thin piece of tin by pressing down to engrave lines, then adding color to the resulting image. It doesn’t take much pressure — just the tip on a pencil or the end of a paintbrush gives the desired look to the piece.

“I thought this would be something that would be of interest, to learn an artisan’s skills and connect it to a significant traditional festival: the Day of the Dead,” Hirtzel said.

She provided attendees with outlines of traditional sugar skull images for them to trace or use as a guide for their tin art.

“The symbolism of the sugar skull is so dynamic, and the purpose of the sugar skull and the skull image is about celebrating those that we love that have gone on before us,” Hirtzel said.

She encouraged participants to find a way to embed initials of deceased loved ones into their tin sugar skulls images as a way to honor those people.

“In Mexico, you’ll have people dressed up with their faces decorated like a sugar skull. … I thought it would be a fun combination to learn both the history of the cultural celebration and learn a new skill,” Hirtzel said.

Although you can use heavy-duty aluminum foil to create a design, Hirtzel prefers to use sheets of 36 gauge tin.

To try it, tape your paper with the design to the tin and put it on a mat, similar to a mouse pad. Then, trace the design, pressing down firmly with the tip of your pencil to create the engraving.

“One thing they love to see is the result. You’re working on one side of the tin, and then you can see how it looks by turning it over, and you see the impression you made and go back and forth,” Hirtzel said. “There’s a lot of satisfaction, seeing a mark you made on one side and seeing how it comes together on the other side of the tin. You get immediate results; you don’t have to wait for it.”

Amanda Offill, of Bates City, came to a workshop at the Lee’s Summit Library with her mother and her daughter. She said she’s always been fascinated with skulls.

“It’s not just about death. You can tell someone’s life completely through bones,” she said.

To add color, participants used different shades of Sharpie markers.

Hirtzel said the activity is appropriate for all ages, from elementary school kids to senior citizens.

Kellie Burdg, of Lee’s Summit, just liked the opportunity to do something new.

“It’s artistic. I’m not the most artistic person, but it’s easy to do. It’s just tracing and coloring in,” Burdg said.

That’s exactly what Hirtzel hopes people can take away from the programs she teaches.

“My goal and purpose of teaching these classes is to bring art and the love of creating to anyone who’s interested in giving it a try. The goal is that it’s enjoyable and gives individuals who are participating something new they didn’t know how to do,” Hirtzel said.

“I think everyone benefits from art and creating and making.”