Buenos Aires is, and has been, a major artistic center, producing and attracting renowned painters and artists. It has a series of world-class selections of paintings, classic and modern, and has been influential in producing major stylistic innovations.

During the 1920’s and 1930’s a group of Buenos Aires artists called “artistas del pueblo” started using different printing techniques, especially xylography. They lived and worked in the former working class neighborhood La Boca and their work is intimately linked to the social movements of the time. Wood cut printmaking was a relatively cheap way of producing art for the masses.

The aim of this workshop is to go back in time, understand this artistic movement, observe and discuss some artworks and then go out “into the field” (La Boca neighborhood, one of the major tourist attractions of Buenos Aires) to observe emblematic areas of this barrio. 

During the first week we then make sketches and drawings, bring them back to the art workshop and transfer them to wood, carve the wood, apply the printing paint, and print on paper. This is the black and white version of the final print.

During the second week we add color to the process by adding a color outline to the print, creating the matrices and doing the final print in color on top of the black and white print. 

The art workshop is located in La Boca and has all equipment necessary for making large-scale wood prints. The workshop is directed by a local artist, university professor and director of the atelier where the students will work. This program includes visits to parts of Buenos Aires and local museums. Students do not require previous artistic experience of any kind. Art workshops are held in the afternoons during 6 days for 3 hours each.