International Arts Consortium 2003-4:

Oaxaca in "Oallingford"

During October, many of our students participated in “Oaxaca in Oallingford,” a project for students in grades 4 through 8 at Hamilton International Middle School and John Stanford International School. Artists Fulgencio Lazo (based part-time in Oaxaca, part-time in Seattle) and Nathan Scott (recently visiting professor at Universidad de las Américas in Puebla) conducted a number of residencies to introduce students to visual arts traditions from the Oaxacan celebration of El Día de los Muertos.

HIMS students in Mr. Ellis’ wood shop classes made alebrijes (wooden “monsters”) with Lazo; they also prepared the plywood panels for the tapetes project.
HIMS students in Mr. Cachopo’s visual arts classes made illuminated skeletons with Scott.
HIMS students in Ms. McCreary’s Spanish classes , Ms. McDonald’s “Voices of the Americas” classes , and English-as-a-Second-Language & Spanish classes (Ms. Sandler’s 2nd period, Ms. Chapman’s 3rd period, and Ms. Dyer’s 4th period), created a huge community tapete (sand painting) with Lazo.
JSIS students in 4th and 5th grade classes, plus intermediate Bilingual Orientation Center students, made illuminated calaveras (skulls) with Scott.

On October 31st, this project culminated in JSIS students’ parading, with Scott and their skulls, through “Oallingford” to the HIMS auditorium, where they were received by HIMS students with music, hot chocolate, and a display of the tapete, alebrijes, and illuminated skeletons.

Teacher Resources (available in Adobe PDF format)
Illuminated Lanterns	Residency Plan Self-Evaluation Checklist
Illuminated Skeletons	Residency Plan Self-Evaluation Checklist
Alebrijes (wooden animal figurines) and Tapetes (sand paintings)	Project Summary Materials List

View a video on the "Oaxaca in Oallingford" project, created by HIMS' video class taught by Ms. Frisino.

“Oaxaca in Oallingford” is among projects sponsored by the International Arts Consortium, which serves John Stanford International School and Hamilton International Middle School, with major funding from Washington State Arts Commission, the International Business Breakfast, and PTSAs at each school. Additional support for “Oaxaca in Oallingford” is provided by the Cultural Development Authority of King County. Dunn Lumber has generously donated the plywood for the tapete project. Thanks to all contributors.