Friday, November 6 - Saturday, November 7 | 9a - 4p daily

Tuition: $150 [MMAM member rate: $140]

Dive into the world of sculptural form, Mexican folk art, and water-inspired storytelling in this two-day cartonería workshop for adults. Over the course of the workshop, participants will create a sculptural axolotl, Mexico’s iconic “smiling” salamander, while exploring its cultural, ecological, and symbolic significance.

Guided by folk artist Gabriela Marván, you will learn the fundamentals of cartonería, a traditional Mexican paper sculpture technique related to papier-mâché, used for generations to make festival figures, masks, and alebrijes. On day one, you will focus on building the armature, working with reused and recycled materials to understand structure, proportion, and three dimensional form. On day two, you will refine the surface and bring your sculpture to life with paint, color, and detail inspired by alebrijes colorful style.

Along the way, you’ll hear stories of axolotls and alebrijes in Mexican history and contemporary culture. You will leave with a completed axolotl sculpture, using basic sculptural skills with paper, and a deeper connection to Mexican folk traditions and the living worlds they honor.

About the instructor:

Based in Viroqua, Wisconsin, Gabriela Jiménez Marván is driven by a passion for creating timeless artwork that transcends trends and fosters a sense of connection within the community.

For over ten years, she has created sculptures, murals, and illustrations, developing a practice rooted in both tradition and experimentation.

Central to her work is the traditional technique of cartonería, which originated in Spain and was brought to Mexico in the 16th century. Gabriella constructs her pieces using wire armatures, reed frames, or clay molds, building up layered paper forms. Compared to most papier-mâché, cartonería produces a smoother, stronger surface. The term itself comes from the Spanish word cartón, meaning cardboard or heavy paper. Today, the technique is closely associated with Mexico’s Day of the Dead celebrations, where artists—known as cartoneros—create expressive figures such as Catrinas, skulls, and skeletons to adorn streets, museums, and cultural spaces from October 31 through November 2.

Marván is the recipient of a 2025 Midwest Culture Bearers Award through Arts Midwest.