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About this Workshop

Description

In this Workshop, we will make a party craft with a best wishes explosion! Children will learn the beautiful symbolism of breaking a piñata filled with favorite candies and gifts to mark the passage of time. They will learn how to build a Mexican piñata, decorate it, and fill it in anticipation of breaking it on a special date.

A piñata is a container filled with sweets, small toys, fruits, and nuts. Piñatas came to Mexico from Spain and were originally made from clay; their name comes from the Italian word, “pignatta,” meaning a pot made from earthenware. Modern-day piñatas are made from paper and cardboard, which is safer to break, and belong to the family of Mexican crafts known as “cartoneria.” It is the object of traditional celebrations that take part in Mexico, like children's birthday parties, Christmas, New Year’s, or any other special date where it may be broken to make wishes for the beginning of a new cycle in our lives. Blindfolded children and adults of all ages take turns trying to break the piñata with a stick in order to release the treats inside. 

My first remembrance of the piñata comes from when I was a little kid, working together with my cousins, uncles, and my granny, cutting paper of many different colors to decorate a piñata that would be filled with candies. We were getting ready to celebrate my cousin's birthday! When I ended secondary school, my friends and I had a big party and we crafted three big colorful piñatas. We filled them with many gifts and broke them all together in celebration! I have since experienced this tradition with sons of my friends and also with my nephews to celebrate their birthdays and graduations.

 

What You'll Need

GLOkit What's a GLOkit?

This Workshop does not require a GLOkit.

Additional Supplies

For this Workshop, Learners will need:

  • Scissors
  • Glue stick
  • 1 roll of colored masking tape (shared) - pick a color you love, and more than one color is welcome!
  • 1 Bond Paper Block Letter size or two old newspapers
  • 1-2 cereal boxes (per Learner)
  • A variety of beautiful colored paper.  Ideas include wrapping paper, metallic paper, construction paper, scrapbooking paper, aluminum foil)
  • Any decorative elements- washi tape, ribbons, streamers, etc!
  • Tissue paper
  • 40-inch cord, any type (yarn, twine, etc.)
  • Fun things to fill your Piñata!  Wrapped candy, little toys, balloons, confetti (we can make this also!).  Anything fun to share when the Piñata breaks open!

Technical Requirements

You will need a device (computer or tablet) that is equipped with a camera, microphone, and speakers. For more information, please check out our Technical Requirements page.

Meet the Instructor

instructor headshot

Horacio CadzcoView Profile

Hi!  I'm Horacio!  I am a contemporary artist based in Mexico City.  I have been on the international art scene, working as a professional artist since 2005.  I love making art and I love working with others to share the experience of art being used to enrich our lives.

I believe that art is a bridge between every culture and all human beings.  It is a way to communicate and understand the reality of others. It can help us all be conscious about the complexity of our different cultures and societies.

In my own art I like to explore life through collage.  Additionally, I have been dedicated to organizing exhibitions, where I direct lectures and workshops, as well as invite international artists to visit and exhibit.  We bring in different projects from abroad and help them land here in Mexico. For example, I have worked extensively with German artists. Recently I directed the second edition of the QIPORAIR art fair, which presented twenty galleries from around the world here in Mexico City.

I have been interested in art for as long as I can remember.  When I was a little kid I would craft little houses in my garden with my brother.  I loved to make little houses with soil. It is a very early and happy memory.

When I was younger my family would spend time together preparing traditional Mexican desserts.  We would also get together to decorate the grave of our grandparents, and we would have a party in the graveyard with friends and family.  I share more info about these traditions in my Sugar Skull Workshop!

My favorite thing about where I live is there is a lot of freedom.  I love my city - we live with freedom and a cool multicultural vibe.  Our city is always full of visitors from all over the world. We have amazing cultural offerings here - there are tons of museums, galleries and festivals.  There is also amazing ancient history in Mexico. Nowadays, our ancient history is mixing with very modern and progressive artistic sentiments. All in all it is fun and beautiful!  Plus - the weather is really great. :)

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NOTE: You can choose any available date on the calendar and rest assured that your GLOkit(s) WILL arrive before your workshop time! We only display dates/times that allow time to ship.

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Mexican Piñatas