Michael DeMeng: Sacred Sanctum of El Corazon

Class is June 5th-7th, 2025
9am-4pm everyday

I have often said that Mexican culture has a lot of heart. They are kind and generous people. Of course, it can also be said that their culture literally has a lot of heart. Everywhere you turn in Mexico you see an image of el Corazón—the heart. Fiery hearts, thorny hearts, wounded hearts, and radiating hearts abound. One thing I started noticing though, was that the depiction of the heart in Mexico can be a bit different. Occasionally you’ll see versions that are more anatomically correct. Perhaps not always accurate to the degree an anatomy book might display, but still, veins, arteries, etc. It is not uncommon to see a naturalistic version of the human heart in pre-Columbian art, and the very first artistic representation of an anatomically correct human heart (not a Valentine’s card style) was by the Olmecs, the first complex civilization in Mexico, on a ceramic vessel dated 3000 B.C.

With all of that in mind I thought it would be interesting to explore the recesses of our hearts and those souls who have made an impact on us. Using the corazon as inspiration and utilizing found objects, paint, clay and collage, we will create shrines to individuals or ideas that have touched us deeply. In this workshop not only will you learn lots and lots about sculpture and paint but you will leave with a very personally sacred sanctum…cross my heart. - Michael

Lunch, refreshments and light snacks will provided.

No kit fee is required. A list of a few supplies students will need to bring will be sent to you by email upon registering for class.