Vejigante Mask Workshop

Saturday, August 3, 10:30am–1:30pm and 2:30–5:30pm

This workshop led by Puerto Rican Artisan Kenneth Melendez consists of a short history of the Vejigante, followed by a mask building class. Masks will be made out of foam and spray paint.

A Vejigante is a folkloric character in Puerto Rican festival celebrations (mainly seen in Carnival time). Traditional colors of the Vejigantes were green, yellow, and red or red and black. Today, Vejigantes wear brightly colored, ornate masks corresponding to the colors of their costumes that detail bat-like wings.

The term vejigante derives from the words vejiga (bladder) and gigante (giant) due to the custom of blowing up and painting cow bladders. The masks are often linked to festivals that continue today, especially in Loiza and Ponce.

Cost $35. All materials are included with the registration fee. Register at paypal.me/lccfriends/35 by Thursday, August 1.

Presented in partnership with the City of Dallas' Office of Cultural Affairs, Latino Cultural Center and the Puerto Rican Association of Dallas-Fort Worth (APRDFW).

For more information about the Latino Cultural Center, visit lcc.dallasculture.org or call 214/671-0045.

For questions or concerns, contact Jessica Trevizo at 214/670-7952 or jessica.trevizo@dallascityhall.com or Nelson Cruhigger at 214/259-6171 or nelson@aprdfw.org.