Studio & Workshops
Printmaking
Printmaking is a transformative art form. It not only empowers artists with a stable source of income through production but also facilitates the distrubution of information to a wider audience. Prints have historically documented the struggles of the oppressed and celebrated the achievements of social reform throughout Mexican history.
Xico continues to uphold and honor these methods, drawing inspiration from the impactful work of artists like Jose Guadalupe Posada and Taller de Gráfica Popular whose influence endures to this day. We persist in pushing the boundaries of artistic expression, following in the footsteps of Los Tres Grandes (Siquieros, Rivera, and Orozco), who revolutionized Mexican art. At Xico, we strive to share knowledge about this art form with communities that identify as Chicano, Indigenous, or Latinx.
BIPOC Classes Hosted at Xico (FREE for folks 50+)
The BIPOC Arts program is kicking off our first round of classes hosted at Xico! This first round of classes are taught from the first graduating class of the BIPOC Arts program. Our artists Roni Lee, Goolam Saber, and Savanah Hill will each be teaching 8 week courses ranging in medium and subject. These classes are FREE for community members 55+ and all materials are provided. Just sign up on the Xico website, or with the link in our bio. Please share widely with your networks and let’s get creative!
Monumental Designs with Roni Lee
This free course for folks 50+ guides participants through the architectural design process to create their own 2d and 3d monuments over 8 weeks. In this series we will be exploring, learning and redefining what our personal monuments can stand for and how design can open new doors to lasting representation. There are 15 seats available.
This class project builds every week, so it is in your projects best interest to be present for all 8 sessions. We will also be utilizing recycled and reclaimed materials so feel free to gather anything you feel could be used on your final project. We will talk more about this during our first class together. If you have any questions please email ronileearts@gmail.com. Instagram: roni_lee29.
Date: Mondays, Monday March 11th and last one ending Monday, April 29th
Time: 2-3:30 PM
Location: Xico, 829 N 1st Ave, PHX AZ 85003
The Artist Book with Goolam Saber
The artist book is a unique book that could hold the entire journey of a person’s life between its pages. Take this journey to create an artist book with South African visual artist Goolam Saber. Students will be guided through an easy-to-follow step-by-step process as we investigate the practice of artist books and explore different styles to inspire the creation of your own book. We will familiarize yourself with all the tools needed to make books and learn different forms of basic book binding. Every week we will explore different book forms from miniature books to nonlinear books. The class will be hosted at the Xico Studio downtown. Come explore and have some fun. This class project builds every week, so it is in your projects best interest to be present for all 8 sessions.
Free for folks over 50+ years of age, all supplies provided, 15 seats available. For any questions email paperstreets8@gmail.com, info@xico.org, or call the artist at 401-919-2511. Facebook: Goolam Saber, Instagram: Goolam_artist
Date: Thursdays, March 14th – May 2nd (8 sessions).
Time: 5:00 – 6:30 pm
Location: Xico, 829 N 1st Ave, PHX AZ 85003
Creative Exploration through Color and Impressionism with Savanah Hill
Color is all around us, and in this course we will learn the relationship between colors and how to utilize them to their best advantages. This isn't just theory! Painting projects overlaying color washes will allow us to watch how colors interact in real time, and in time this knowledge will help us to paint in the style of the master impressionists. Color theory is more complex than one might think but utilizing this knowledge will help you create your best works in this class. This class project builds every week, so it is in your project's best interest to be present for all 8 sessions. Free for folks over 50+ years of age, all supplies provided, 15 seats available. For any questions email sbhill415@yahoo.ca or info@xico.org.
Learning Goals:
- Comprehension of color theory and the relationships within color schemes.
- Learn painting techniques through impressionist style painting.
- Creative critical thinking skills built from utilizing color theory in complex compositions.
Date: Thursdays, March 14th – April 25th (8 sessions)
Time: 12:00 - 1:30 PM
Location: Xico, 829 N 1st Ave, PHX AZ 850034
Xico's Dynamic Working Studio
Our 4,600 square foot fully-equipped studio supports an array of printmaking techniques for artists of all levels. These techniques are offered in a workshop setting or for our more advanced artists, our studio is available for independent production.
Equipment Available for Use
Etching Press
Lithopress
3-D Printer
Laser Engraver
Printmaking Techniques
Intaglio
Creating marks in a plate; ink pushed into the marks, raised areas wiped clean of ink, wet paper laid on top of plate and rolled through etching press.
Etching
Engraving
Using a burin tool to meticulously carve smooth, clean lines into a metal plate, resulting in sharp and highly precise imagery.
Aquatint
Relief
The process of carving away the negative areas from a matrix, applying ink onto the raised portions, placing dry paper on top, and then applying pressure, either manually or with a press, to transfer the image onto the paper.
