Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego

This session runs every Friday from May 12 – June 30:

• May 12
• May 19
• May 26
• June 2
• June 9
• June 16
• June 23
• June 30

Registration for Reflections is available by series (8 sessions) or by individual dates (1 session).

The full series (all 8 sessions) is $250 for non-Members / $200 for Members.

Alternatively, you can register for individual dates at the cost of $25 per session for Members / $30 per session for non-Members.

May 12 (Session 1): Cover Story

If your life story was adapted into a book, what would the cover of that book look like? What symbols, images, and colors would represent your story?

Using Griselda Rosas: Yo te cuido as inspiration, collage, cut, and paste to create a composition that represents your story.

May 19 (Session 2): Toys and Tales

Think about a favorite toy that you gave or received or a favorite tool. What was it and what made it special?

Using Celia Álvarez Muñoz: Breaking the Binding as inspiration, trace and draw images of contemporary and vintage toys, children’s books, and more to reinterpret your favorite toy or tool. Reimagine what would make it better, whether that would be a new color, feature, or accessory.

May 26 (Session 3): Stitch Your Story

Reflect on a favorite place or a special moment in your life.

Using Rosas' art as inspiration, create a representation of that special place or moment with paper, fabric, and thread through hand stitching, embroidery, or machine sewing. Prior experience with sewing is helpful but not required.

June 2 (Session 4): To Make a Long Story Short

Recall a funny moment or a difficult lesson learned from your life. What happened, and how do you feel about it now?

Using Álvarez Muñoz's art as inspiration, create a colorful comic strip reflecting that experience.

June 9 (Session 5): Imprint and In Print

What image or symbol illustrates the impression you want to leave? Make that impression tangible through a simple printmaking process.

Using Betsabeé Romero’s Tire (flowers) (2001) from MCASD's permanent collection as inspiration, design and create your own unique series of handmade prints.

June 16 (Session 6): Thoughts, Plots, and Poems

When does text become art? How does the use of words in artwork impact the whole?

Looking at Celia Álvarez Muñoz’s Home Economics and Ed Ruscha’s Ace (1962) and using a found poetry activity to help spark ideas, incorporate text and traditional or modern calligraphy to create text-and-image-based artwork.

June 23 (Session 7): Turning the Page

What came out of the post-war era and is there any residue of that today?

With artwork from Nancy Buchanan, Jay Lynn Gomez, and Celia Álvarez Muñoz, discuss this time of drastic change through representations of midcentury homes. Then, implement 3D techniques to create a pop-up card.

June 30 (Session 8): Stories Unfold & Stories Untold

In this final session, create an accordion-style artist’s book that brings together the previous projects as an artistic interpretation of an autobiography.

Please bring your previous projects if you have attended multiple sessions. If this is your first session, you will create an accordion book that can be customized as a handmade photo album or journal.

10AM: Gallery Discussion

The conversations around the artworks in MCASD’s collection will offer stimulating input and prompts for participants as they think about creating their own artworks.

10:30AM: Coffee and Mingle

Refreshments and time for social interaction will take place in Museum venues that take full advantage of the beautiful oceanside location and views.

11AM: Art-Making Activity

The hands-on workshop will provide a forum for self-expression and developing new interpersonal connections.

Can't join us for these dates? MCASD will host additional Reflections series through 2024. Join the interest list.