In this comprehensive full day workshop, attendees will have the opportunity to learn the historic process for preparing and painting traditional retablo paintings featuring the Saints of New Mexico from professional Santera Sean Wells. Sean will take students from the first steps of selecting wood and making hand-made gesso to using natural pigments and finishing the board. Sean teaches the traditional methods handed down for this rare art form born from the Spanish Colonists of Northern New Mexico and discusses the stories behind the imagery. Sean will teach techniques in the context of her personal and the regional history. Students will leave with an understanding of the process of painting a traditional retablo and a deeper appreciation for the Spanish Colonial arts. Students will also leave with a starter set of materials, a finished piece and a blank board to paint at home as well as more surprises!  

You are not required to have artistic skills, this is for all levels of artists! You are not required to be hispanic or to be Catholic to enjoy this art-form.

Sean’s classes and workshops are fun, exciting and easy-to-follow. All materials will be provided. This class usually runs $200, but is being offered at a discounted rate thanks to a grant from Homewise.

Snacks provided, but people with special food requirements are encouraged to bring suitable food to the class. There will be an optional lunch break.

$100 10 adult seats offered
10 scholarship seats will be offered to residents of the Barelas neighborhood in which neighbors can anonymously pay what they are comfortable with.
3 free student scholarship slots will be offered for children 12-18 years.

Applications will be provided for all seats. 

To apply for the workshop, email: SeanWellsCreates@gmail.com