Art is a way of using materials to express creativity, culture, and emotions. Ms.Hanson, who has been teaching art at MACES since it first opened and Ms. Cruz, who has been teaching for about eight years, assign a yearly project about Hispanic Heritage Month art in the month of September.
With Hispanic Heritage Month being celebrated, students explore different ways to honor culture through their artwork. “Usually around special dates around September we did Hispanic Heritage art to tie in then to the month of Hispanic heritage,” Ms. Cruz said.
Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to celebrate and recognize the contributions and achievements of the Hispanic and Latin communities. Students in Ms. Hanson and Ms. Cruz classes create art work representing Hispanic culture and honors those members of the community. This artwork can be based on a person, idea, or social justice movement.
Oftentimes students are able to come up with inspiring ideas right away, but there are some who struggle with thinking about what to draw, especially when it comes to culture. “ They think about what their favorite aspect of their culture is and focus on that and usually make art of something you enjoy,” Ms. Hanson said.
Yolette Valencia, a sophomore in Ms.Cruz’s class, drew the inspiring art design with a sun. ¨The sun symbolizes Mexico’s very hot weather that they usually have throughout most of the year,¨ Valencia said. Destiny Rivera, a sophomore also in Ms. Cruz’s class, drew the amazing art design. ¨ This art drawing inspired me to draw what represented my culture, “ Rivera said.
Ellen Kendall, a senior in Ms. Hanson class, drew the fantastic drawing of the Statue of Liberty and said, “I wanted to show how America is highly influenced and benefited by the Hispanic community.¨ Linda Hernandez, a senior who’s also in Ms. Hanson’s class, drew the artistic drawing of the ferret. “ The meaning of my artwork is that no matter what kind of animals you have, they’ll always be waiting for you in the afterlife with unconditional love,” Hernandez said.
Art is a way of finding and showcasing how to spread a message through materials and colors representing culture, idea, or person. “There is rich history in all cultures,” Ms. Hanson said.
