Arts Workshops and Field Trips
TALLERES EN EL TALLER
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story can make all the difference.
The STATE OF THE HAND
El Taller’s Casas, de Arte, Musica, Idiomas, Baile and Niños all collaborate to bring a wide variety of exciting educational opportunities for groups of all ages to explore their interests and creativity with cross-cultural, cross-discipline arts workshops. El Taller serves children, youth, professionals, seniors and life-long-learners.
State of The Hand is El Taller Latino Americano’s approach to arts, cultural and language programming for children and youth with workshops that use manual, visual and auditory skills. This holistic view engages the strengths of learners of all types and all ages with creative programs that take place over a few hours or over several days, depending on the depth of study or intricacy of design.
”State of The Hand” workshops emphasize what we understand from Spanish: Somos humanos porque usamos los manos: we are human (humanos) because we use our hands (manos). The new generations are loosing this manual information as they engage more deeply with digital technology. Our workshops avoid the computer and the digitalization of culture in order to reconnect students with their hands, and therefore their humanity.
Many of El Taller’s workshops use recycled materials to introduce the idea that art (creativity), does not require a lot of money. Art can be made out of anything (stones from the park, fragments of wood, bottles, cans, old clothing) and this philosophically emphasizes the power of transformation that Art has within the individual and in the community.
Workshops are offered in English, Spanish, or a combination of the two languages for intentional integration of literacy: most teaching-artists are bilingual. Programming can also be customized or created to suit age-appropriateness that is hands-on, project-based and aligned with curricular goals, topical content, or issues within the community.
El Taller’s State of The Hand workshops are held in an environment that supports social and emotional learning with high quality arts, cultural and language instruction that is engaging, energetic, creative and fun.
CURRENT Workshop site address:
Church of the Good Shepherd
7420 4th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11209
A selection of our most popular workshops!
MUSIC workshops
Cantando En Español
Sing along to original songs composed by El Taller's Founder and Artistic Director, Bernardo Palombo (Argentina), many of which were the first bilingual songs for Sesame Street and featured on El Taller's production of Grammy Award Winner Dan Zanes &Friends' Nueva York. Children and adults alike will enjoy this musical journey through the Americas all while learning basic Spanish vocabulary like foods, weather, and parts of the body.
Recommended for ages 4+.
Caribbean Rhythms & Percussion
Explore rhythms from Cuba, Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico. The objective is to engage participants in learning unique musical rhythms and their function through hands-on participation in a percussion ensemble. Participants will become acquainted and experiment with a variety of traditional instruments including congas, bongos, bells and other minor percussion.
Recommended for ages 5+.
DANCE workshops
Caribbean Dance - Merengue & Bachata
Learn rhythms of the Caribbean through a participatory dance program. Students will have an immersive experience, learning the rhythms, steps and movements of Merengue and Bachata along with history of how they developed.
Recommended for ages 8+
Salsa
Discover the native dance of El Barrio, learning the rhythms and movements of Salsa dance. Individuals will discuss the history of the art form and then work on some basic steps, both individually and with partners.
Recommended for ages 8+
Tango - Music & Dance Of Argentina
Following a brief presentation about the history of Tango music and dance in Argentina, participants will enjoy a live presentation of popular Argentinean tangos followed by a brief tango lesson for beginners.
Recommended for ages 12+
ART workshops
Caribbean Environment Glitter Globes - A Recycled Art Project
Each participant will be asked to bring a medium-sized glass jar, in which they will create a diorama of the Caribbean environment. Students will first learn basic vocabulary about colors, animals, and environment common to the Dominican Republic, Cuba and Puerto Rico.
Recommended for children ages 4+
Animal Mosaics
Each participant will use natural elements, such as beans, peas and lentils, to create a natural mosaic of animal life from a Latin American countries. This workshop can be taught using animals from Mexico, the Amazonian Jungle or the Galapagos Islands/Ecuador.
Recommended for children ages 4+
Mask Making
Easily adaptable to various ages and educational levels, participants in this fun and hands-on art workshop will learn about traditional carnival masks from different Latin American cultures. Participants will choose one of two mask templates and can choose from a wide array of art supplies and found objects to decorate the mask.
Recommended for children ages 5+.
Mural Making
After a brief presentation about the cultural significance of murals in Latin America and El Barrio, participants will collaborate to develop and then paint their own mural to be displayed in their school, neighborhood or community.
Recommended for ages 6+
Piñatas Mexicanas
In this two-part workshop, participants will learn about the traditions and customs of Mexican piñatas. In the first part, each participant will design and construct their own original piñata while the second portion of the workshop will be dedicated to decorating the structure.
Recommended for ages 8+. Multiple day project.
Cartoon / Comic Book Making
Led by award-winning Mexican cartoonist and illustrator Felipe Galindo, participants will learn about Felipe’s work, which sheds a humorous light on the Mexican immigrant experience in Manhattan. Each participant will then be led in a drawing lesson and create their own cartoon or comic book.
Recommended for ages 9+
Your Latin-American Treasures
(Jewelry Making Workshop)
Come join us to create a piece of jewelry inspired by the work of Latin- American artisans. This workshop guides you on how to create an earring, a bracelet or even a necklace with your own hands. Using beads, wires, charms and other repurposed materials you will be introduced to the basics of jewelry making.
No previous jewelry making experience is necessary. The workshop offers a great experience for children, adults and entire families.
WORKSHOP PRICING AND AVAILABILITY:
Pricing is dependent upon the number of participants, transportation costs, and teaching artist fees. Please contact us by filling out the form below , or by calling 212-665-9460 , to make a reservation and create a workshop experience that matches your program's specific needs.
A $150.00 refundable deposit is required to save the date of your workshop.
To ensure the success of the workshop please contact us no later than 5 weeks before your desired date for the workshop. All requests less than 5 weeks before the desired date will be handled on a case-by-case basis.
CURRENT Workshop site address:
Church of the Good Shepherd
7420 4th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11209