Ecos del Pasado

Essential Questions

• What from the past is worth carrying forward—and why?

• How can materials and methods show time?

• Who gets to tell this story, and what is my responsibility as an artist?

Your “Past Source” (bring one)

• Family photo or heirloom

• Recipe or song

• Community landmark, map, or school archive

• Cultural motif, textile, or ritual

• Historical artwork (re-examined)

• Nature’s records (tree rings, fossils, erosion)

Show the Echo (choose any 2+)

• Layering/palimpsest

• Repetition/motif

• Aging/patina/distress

• Juxtaposition (then/now)

• Remix/omission–repair

• Text fragments (names, dates, lyrics, recipes, headlines)

Medium Progression (new-to-you)

1. Pick a new medium or hybrid (confirm safety/materials).

2. Skill labs: quick demos + references.

3. Swatches: 3 small tests to show control.

4. Thumbnails: quick drafts/maquettes.

5. Build layers using 2+ “time-visible” strategies.

6. Mid-crit: feedback on concept & technique.

7. Revise & finalize for presentation.

8. Artist statement (4–6 sentences) + source credit.

Artist Inspiration

• Find 1 artist working in your medium (or closest).

• Bring 1 image of a work with a caption: Artist, Title, Year, Medium, Dimensions, Source link.

• Write 5 notes:

  1. Three visual features (layering, texture, color, scale, repetition)

  2. Meaning/context (whose past? what story?)

  3. How it echoes the past (time made visible)

  4. Technique to adapt (name the process)

  5. Where it appears in your piece (which layer/area)

• Test it in swatches → show it in your prototype.

Expectations

• Intermediate: new-to-you medium; 3 swatches + 1 prototype; clear link to a real source.

• Advanced (adds): higher technical risk (layer complexity, scale, precision); visible revision after mid-crit; strong research connection.

Rubric Snapshot

• Concept (30%): meaningful source + point of view

• Risk & Material Fluency (30%): new-to-you medium; swatches + final show control

• Craft & Intentionality (20%): clean, purposeful choices

• Process & Reflection (20%): proposal, research, mid-crit, statement complete

VAPA Event — October 23

ArtBeat presents “Ecos del Pasado / Echoes of the Past.”

• Offrendas (Spanish classes)

• Exhibition opening (Holmes students)

• Performances: folklórico, mariachi, band, dance, drama in costume

• Floral design displays, art carnival, stage in the quad

Your Role:

• Finish, label, and install your work

• Be ready to talk about your source & process

• Help with gallery prep & event flow