Jaguar head, eagle wings, dragon tail, heart of dreams…
Alebrijes are fantastical beings that combine physical features of different animals, real and imaginary, to create unique and extraordinary creatures. Adorned with vibrant and expressive colors, these handcrafted identities generally made of papier-mâché or wood, transport you to dreamlike realms full of creativity and imagination. Originally from Mexico, this cultural tradition has a legacy that continues to resonate today. Fort Collins Museum of Discovery is honored to host an artist-in-residency with Mexican Maestros Óscar Becerra Mora and Rubén Mica, successful artists whose craftsmanship has led them to exhibit Alebrijes around the world. While in Fort Collins, Óscar and Rubén will guide a series of bilingual special events open to the community. All ages welcome!
November 29 – December 7, 2023: Dreaming Together
Óscar and Rubén travel from Mexico City to meet members of our community during a series of workshops dedicated to the art of cartonería (paper and paste), as well as to the history and creation of these extraordinary beings, where you can discover your own Alebrije and bring it to life.
March 11 – March 31, 2024: Creating Together
The artists Óscar and Rubén return to the museum to create a collective fantastical being; a monumental Alebrije. The artists will share their skills, techniques, and experiences with the community while creating an Alebrije inspired by local animals and with input and help from community members themselves.
Workshops and Events
Join us for several FREE Alebrije workshops and events led by artists from Mexico City, maestros Óscar Becerra Mora and Rubén Mica. You will experience the vivid arts of cartonería, the mesmerizing world of Alebrijes, and the vital importance and rich history of Mexican folk art. Let your imagination soar as you paint a 3D Alebrije created by the maestros using cartoneria, and then take your creation home to enjoy!
All supplies provided by the museum. Bilingual (English and Spanish) interpretation services will be available at no cost to you.
Friday December 1st 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Noches en Familia at the Museum (Free, no registration needed, all ages welcome)
Come and enjoy the unique opportunity to visit with renowned Mexican artists Óscar Becerra Mora and Rubén Mica during this special program. Created in partnership with Poudre Libraries, this fun event will include a guided storytime, followed by food and Alebrije-inspired crafts.
Saturday, December 2nd 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Intergenerational Alebrije Workshop at Fort Collins Museum of Discovery
One alebrije to paint and take-home per group. You may bring friends, family members, and loved ones to help at your table. All ages welcome.
Sold out!
Saturday, December 2nd 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Alebrije Workshop for Teens at Fort Collins Museum of Discovery
One alebrije to paint and take-home per person. Recommended ages 13 – 19.
Sold out!
Sunday, December 3rd 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Intergenerational Alebrije Workshop at Fort Collins Museum of Discovery
One alebrije to paint and take-home per group. You may bring friends, family members, and loved ones to help at your table. All ages welcome.
Sold out!
Tuesday, December 5th 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
21+ Adult Alebrije Workshop at Fort Collins Museum of Discovery.
One alebrije to paint and take-home per person. For adults ages 21+.
Sold out!
Join us for this unforgettable experience as you enter a magical universe of fantasy, imagination, and dreams!
Photo credit: ilumiteatro monumental
Meet the maestros!
RUBÉN MIGUEL CASTILLO NAVARRETE, “MICA”.
Originally from Mexico City, Mexico, RUBÉN is a graduate from the Escuela de Artes Gráficas y publicidad, and studied enameling arts at the Escuela Nacional de Artesanías del INBA. Since 2005, he has been a member of the “Jardín del Arte A.C. San Ángel y Sullivan,” an outdoor art gallery, where he regularly exhibits and sells his work.
Highly passionate about arte popular, he combines his knowledge to create a unique style that he embodies through various artistic expressions such as found object art, cartonería, jewelry, painting, and more. He participates nationally and internationally in different exhibitions and competitions. Since 2006, he has collaborated with his hometown museum, the Museo de Arte Popular in Mexico City (MAP), most recently exhibiting his work in the museum’s fourth ARTE/SANO Biennial. During this he worked with Óscar Becerra to create “Las chicas: Siete pecados, Siete deseos”, a multimedia piece that spans disciplines by fusing high-temperature enamels with cartonería and a touch of Mexican arte popular symbolism. He sets his sights on the preservation and cultural understanding of artistic expressions, teaching workshops at various institutions, furthering the development of art in different sectors of society, and reaffirming and instilling how important the manifestations of art are in our everyday lives.
Keep up with the artist on Instagram (@Micaruben) and Facebook (Ruben Mica).
ÓSCAR BECERRA MORA.
Born in Mexico City, Mexico in 1978, ÓSCAR is an ethnologist from the Escuela Nacional de Antropología e Historia (National School of Anthropology and History). He is a self-taught artist specializing in the artistic tradition known as cartonería, or the art of paper and paste. Since 2006, he has collaborated on a regular basis with the Museo de Arte Popular in Mexico City (MAP), taking part in exhibitions, presenting art workshops, and participating in various parades and contests that happen each year featuring monumental Alebrijes. Becerra’s works have also been exhibited in various parts of Mexico and abroad.
On many occasions, Becerra teaches workshops specifically on the artistic techniques of cartonería. Motivated by the demands of the contemporary world, he works across disciplines with artisans, musicians, and performing artists from the company Ilumiteatro Monumental, taking part in an artistic production that brings the essence of arte popular to unconventional places, fusing technology with tradition.
Keep up with the artist on Instagram (@oscarbecerramora ) and Facebook (Oscar Becerra Mora).