Bringing Hispanic voices into the art room is a beautiful and important thing to do at all times of the year. However, from September 15 to October 15, it’s Hispanic Heritage Month, which a time to elevate the history, art, and contributions of those who (or whose ancestors) came from Mexico, Central America, South America, and Caribbean, and Spain. Mid-September is the Independence Day of many Spanish-speaking countries, and that’s why this particular time of the year was chosen. At first, Hispanic Heritage Month was only a week long, now it’s a full month. It’s a perfect time for a Hispanic Heritage Month Art Project.
As someone who has the opportunity, honor, and privilege of serving thousands of art teachers and homeschoolers around the world, it is one of my favorite things to bring artists who are not the “masters” to the forefront. It’s one of the keystones of everything that I do, and I often go on long quests to find artists that will resonate with kids – and with you.
Turning sunsets into gems
When I stumbled upon Ines Alvidres on Instagram, I knew that I just had to create a Hispanic Heritage Month Art Project inspired by her, to share her beautiful colors and beautiful personality with the world.
Ines called Beaumont, Texas, her home after 20 years of living there, but is originally from Chihuahua, Mexico. She credits much of the inspiration for her vibrant, abstract art to the Tuahumara people. Cacti, bluebonnets, deserts, and jaw-dropping sunsets characterize her work. She even abstracts birds so that they look like walking, faceted gemstones.
Her murals adorn the city of Beaumont, and she’s an active member of the art community there, helping everyone to love and be inspired – with art and her positivity.
Get prickly with this Hispanic Heritage Month Art Project
Ines’ work begged for a lesson on color – and including all of the colors of the rainbow inside of a piece of art. I was absolutely in love with her flowers, but then I saw the cacti. Cacti are a bit easier for little hands to draw and break down into shapes.
I chose to recommend oil pastels for this project. Although Ines loves working with acrylic paint, and it’s one of the ways that gets those signature smooth colors, using oil pastels allows kids the sensory experience of smoothing the colors themselves.
But as always – use what you have.
This project also lends well to using crayons, or markers. Wondering what to do with those beautiful new marker sets that you purchased? Whether they are Crayola or the Ohuhu alcohol based markers, now’s your time to pull those out.
Go for the gold!
One of the ways that Ines’ work is instantly recognizable is by her gold lines.
If you have a gold oil pastel, gold Sharpie, gold crayon, gold paint pen, or gold liquid tempera – now’s the time to bust that out. That final touch is what makes it all come together.
We have a FREE lesson plan, just for you!
Kids as young as Kindy and 1st will love creating this Hispanic Heritage Month Art Project with all of the colors you give them, and simple lines. That’s what makes this project easy to do across all ages.
Click the banner below to download the entire step-by-step lesson plan.
We would love it if you’d share!
Don’t forget to tag us at @soulsparklettes on social media if you do this Hispanic Heritage art project with your kids or students – we love to see what you create!
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What a beautiful art lesson!! I really look forward to doing this with my art students!!! Thank you so much for the art history for Hispanic Heritage Month that I can share with my students, as well!!! Freebie lessons are always an extra-special treat, too! Thanks so much, Glitter Bomb Team!!!✨🌟⭐️🌠🤩🌃
Thank you, Jill Suzanne!! I cannot wait to see what you create with your students!
I feel so grateful for everyone embracing this project! THANK YOU!
I can’t even tell you how much my girls and I adore your work, as well as everyone who comes in contact with it. I was so thrilled to share your work with others – you make the world a happier place – thank you!!
Julie You just made my day, my month and year! keep up with the beautiful work you’re doing! are you ok if i share yoir website?
Absolutely! I’m so sorry I missed responding to you earlier – we were on our way back and then I ended up in the hospital. Love your work! I’m hoping you already did share and didn’t wait for me! <3
Thank you for bringing your art and beautiful soul to the world!!
Ines lives in our town! We are beyond lucky to have had her work with our students on several occasions. She is a truly generous and talented artist who is always willing to share her amazing gift! This is a great project inspired by a great artist!
Oh I LOVE that! One thing that I loved about her from the get go is her spirit and how much she shared her gift with the world!
What grades is this best for? 2nd grade may be too young?