Classes and Workshops
Want a hands-on experience creating beautiful Mexican weaving, embroidery, paintings and crafts? Take a class at Colores Mexicanos!
Overlooking Chicago's Magnificent Mile, Colores is Chicago's Mexican Gift Shop, representing dozens of artisan families across beautiful Mexico, as well as many leading Latino artists from the city of Chicago.
Choose from painting classes, crafting workshops, jewelry making, mezcal tasting, tortilla making, and many other Mexican cultural activities. Contact us directly at coloresmexicanosinchicago@hotmail.com to book an event, or attend one of our regularly scheduled classes!
Interested in a corporate event? Our classes are a great way for businesses to build camaraderie while learning about Mexican culture and celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month! We can host classes at our store or your office, as you prefer.
Want to combine a class with a happy hour? That's no problem! We'll host it at our Riverwalk restaurant: CocoBar, offering 15 flavors of build your own margaritas!
"Frida Mariposa" painting class with legendary Pilsen artist Robert Valadez. To book, email coloresmexicanosinchicago@hotmail.com
"Frida Mariposa" painting class with legendary Pilsen artist Robert Valadez. To book, email coloresmexicanosinchicago@hotmail.com
Oaxacan embroidery with Master Weaver Estefana Santiago. To book, email coloresmexicanosinchicago@hotmail.com
Looking to add catered food or beverages for a private or corporate event? We do that too! Contact us at coloresmexicanosinchicago@hotmail.com!
We're well equipped to receive groups from 20-150 people, and can coordinate anything your event may require, including catering and beverage programs. For a personalized quote, email us with details of your event at: coloresmexicanosinchicago@hotmail.com
Past Workshops and Events:
Alebrije Master Class with Arturo Zarate:
Artisan: Emanuel Arturo Zarate (patibulario_art.mx)
Arturo is a well experienced alebrije artist; having studied at the National Institute of Fine Arts in Mexico City, he's very passionate in creating alebrije art and thus had many inspirations to look up to. Throughout his career, he has made monumental statues around Mexico, all around Chicago, and even sold some of his pieces to France and Australia!
He has no trouble teaching others how to not only paint but where to start and how to make unique beautiful patterns on alebrijes! More details posted below:
Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/recycling-art-workshop-alebrijes-and-masks-tickets-685383138417
Day of the Dead Sugar Skull Workshop
Artisan: María Calderón (@sugarskullsxilotl)
Join María of Sugar Skulls Xioltl to create your own sugar skulls step by step, with your own unique design! Above all else, María is passionate about teaching the significance of Day Of The Dead — a holiday anyone can celebrate and learn from!
To book a sugar skull class in Chicago, contact us at coloresmexicanosinchicago@hotmail.com
Frida Mariposa Sip and Paint
Artisan: Robert Valadez (@arte4arte)
This class will teach you how to paint one of Robert's most famous pieces: Frida Mariposa! He is well known for his paintings and unique murals around Chicago for different businesses!
Siping and painting is one of the most relaxing things to do on a Saturday afternoon with a friend, family or partner! Come experience some fun while drinking your favorite booze and a nice city view of Michigan ave!
Having a class with creative people makes class super fun and interesting knowing everybody has a different vision and talent! Of course if you don’t know anything about painting, don’t worry! Robert is an amazing artist, he"ll be walking around helping everyone with questions! Not only that but we will be celebrating “Frida Kahlo” birthday 🎉!
Tickets: TBD
Oaxacan Embroidery with Roberta Angeles
Learn the breathtakingly intricate embroidery of Oaxaca, Mexico from master artisan Roberta Angeles.
Roberta comes directly from Oaxaca to teach this class, passing down the techniques she learned from her great grandmother. Together, we’ll learn embroidery stitches to decorate a tote bag with the iconic flowers and vines of Oaxaca’s Ocotlan Valley, around a “calavera” skull.
This class will last approximately 3 hours. It’s taught in English and Spanish, with all materials provided. No sewing experience is necessary but basic familiarity helps!
More info here: https://www.instagram.com/p/CzSM906gv17/
Tortilla Master Class with Rosabla Morales
Join Rosalba Morales Bartolo, one of seven chefs to receive the prestigious title of "master of traditional Mexican cooking," in Michoacán, México, to make the perfect tortilla!
Rosalba's small restaurant serves a seasonal menu that changes daily, rich with traditional ingredients from her purépecha indigenous community. With recognition from the Mexican government and from UNESCO, she has traveled the world sharing her community's ancient culinary traditions.
Make a traditional Mexican doll with Otomí indigenous artisans from Queretaro, Mx!
Join us to make beautiful Mexican dolls under the instruction of artisan women from Queretaro, Mexico, who are offering this one-time-only class during their visit to Chicago— May 4, 2:00pm to 4:00pm at our store!
"Lele" is the classic Mexican doll, created to celebrate the indigenous women of México, instead of the unhealthy beauty standards created by so many commercial dolls.
She is dressed in the traditional clothing of the Otomí indigenous people, of Central Mexico, with colorful embroidered skirts, and "moños" or ribbons, in her hair. You'll learn every step in this process during the two hour class, taught in English and Spanish, with all materials provided. No sewing experience is necessary but basic familiarity helps!
Make Your Own Piñata!
Join Arturo Zarate from the hit Netflix show "Piñata Masters" to make the coolest piñata ever at Colores Mexicanos.
This piñata master class is open to all ages and BYOB for adults! All materials are provided. Choose from two piñata models- the traditional Mexican star piñata (piñata de 7 picos) or Arturo's signature Axolotl piñata. These piñatas are large! About 2 feet across. Take your piñata home when class is done to give as a gift or use as a decoration.
Monumental Alebrijes Exhibition
Artisan: Emanuel Arturo Zarate (patibulario_art.mx)
It is an absolute privilege to say that artisano Emanuel Arturo Zarate will be bringing three of his monumental pieces to our store and bar! These pieces will be two hummingbirds and a dragon; they're made of plastic for their volume as well as metal and welding for their internal structure. Come to 605 N Michigan Ave to see the beautiful dragon, 33 E Riverwalk to see the hummingbirds, and appreciate the artist who made them!
No Tickets required!