A native Latin American tribe located in the Sierra Madre Mountains of Mexico uses this form of art to express messages to the spirit world. Each color, every line and symbol, no matter how abstract, has a meaning. The original artists used beeswax and resin on a board to adhere pieces of colorful yarn. Modern Huichol (prounouced Wee-chol) artists use glue or spray adhesives. This lesson plan uses a board with adhesive already applied, so it works quickly and easily! Encourage students to choose a subject matter that has personal meaning to them.

Grade Levels

K–8

Lesson Objectives

• Students learn to apply yarn painting techniques in combining their ideas and their art.

Procedure

1. Discuss the Huichol art form and design ideas. Keep it simple. Cut boards to 7" x 11" (half size).
2. Draw ideas onto paper side of board. A ball point pen works best on the wax-surfaced paper. This board is excellent for this project, because each area to be “painted” in yarn can be exposed as needed. No messy glue or wax!
3. Each student uses the small blade to cut on the drawn line of one area at a time. The paper pulls off easily to expose the self-adhesive board.
4. Cut a piece of yarn about 12" long. Start anywhere on the sticky surface close to the next paper area to be “painted”. Lightly lay down the yarn and follow the shape of the design. Continue to place the yarn next to itself. As the yarn is put on, it will create a pattern. When the space is filled, trim the excess off. Pat the area with your hand to secure the yarn. Repeat until all areas are filled with color.

Variations

• Younger students may peel the entire design off at once, cut out the shapes with scissors, and stick them back down like a jigsaw puzzle to avoid using a break-off knife.
• Use white glue on cardboard instead of the self-adhesive board and spread evenly on one area at a time.
• Apply to a 3-D object, such as a box, using the glue technique.
• Instead of glue, try double-stick tape. visual arts in relation to history and cultures.

National Standards

Content Standard #1 — Understanding and applying media, techniques and processes.

K-4 Students use different media, techniques and processes to communicate ideas, experiences and stories.

5-8 Students intentionally take advantage of the qualites and characteristics of art media, techniques and processes to enhance communication of their experiences and ideas.

Content Standard #2 — Using knowledge of structures and functions.

K-4 Students use visual structures and functions of art to communicate ideas.

5-8 Students select and use the qualities of structures and functions of art to improve communication of their ideas.

Content Standard #3 — Choosing and evaluating a range of subject matter, symbols and ideas.

K-4 Students select and use subject matter, symbols and ideas to communicate meaning.

5-8 Students integrate visual, spatial and temporal concepts with content to communicate intended meaning in their artworks.

Content Standard #4 — Understanding the visual arts in relation to history and cultures.

K-4 Students demonstrate how history, culture and the visual arts can influence each other in making and studying works of art.

5-8 Students know and compare the characteristics of artworks in various eras and cultures.

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