Since 2024, Alvaro has been invited to lead art-based workshops for all audiences. These hands-on sessions offer inclusive print-art experiences, where all materials are provided—from stencils and paints to papers and tools—allowing participants to fully immerse themselves in the creative process without prior experience.
WORKSHOPS OFFERED
UNFLAGGING/Déflagrations PRINT WORKSHOP: Printing my own flag
In this hands-on workshop, participants are welcomed into a practical and creative session where they experiment with stencils, masks, and stamps to create their own interpretations of national flags. Through this art-based process, the workshop encourages both creative expression and reflection on national symbols and feelings of belonging. In a playful and welcoming environment, participants are invited to question exclusive notions of identity by transforming the flags of their countries in imaginative ways—taking a small but meaningful step toward cultural openness and tolerance. In general, the workshops are structured as follows:
1. Introduction
The session begins with a brief introduction to the activity, including an ice-breaking game or exercise, a presentation of the materials, and informal discussions around the main themes of the workshop.
The session begins with a brief introduction to the activity, including an ice-breaking game or exercise, a presentation of the materials, and informal discussions around the main themes of the workshop.
2. Demonstration
Participants are guided through demonstrations showing how to use the different materials and techniques.
Participants are guided through demonstrations showing how to use the different materials and techniques.
3. Practice
Time is dedicated to hands-on experimentation and production, allowing participants to develop their own artworks
Time is dedicated to hands-on experimentation and production, allowing participants to develop their own artworks
4. Conclusion
At the end of the creation phase, all artworks are displayed on a vertical support. Participants are invited to observe and appreciate each other’s work, followed by a final informal discussion that encourages reflection and the sharing of personal experiences related to the printmaking process. Depending on the host’s capacity, the workshop can conclude with a public presentation of the works created by the group.
At the end of the creation phase, all artworks are displayed on a vertical support. Participants are invited to observe and appreciate each other’s work, followed by a final informal discussion that encourages reflection and the sharing of personal experiences related to the printmaking process. Depending on the host’s capacity, the workshop can conclude with a public presentation of the works created by the group.
Collage Workshop Coupez-ici
This hands-on workshop was originally conceived as part of the artistic practice of Alvaro in collaboration with Montreal-based poet and artist Patrick Lafontaine, under the name Coupez-ici. The workshop invites participants to explore creativity through the manipulation of pre-cut images sourced from a wide range of printed materials, including old magazines, discarded vintage photo books, historical publications, and various archival photographic images.
The cut-out images are collected and organized in bins, allowing participants to freely select and reuse them throughout the session. As in traditional collage, each participant creates a personal composition using these images. However, rather than fixing the composition with glue, an alternative photographic process is introduced to permanently transfer and fix the assembled images, creating a final work made from multiple visual sources.
This activity was further developed as a training workshop within a social psychology research project at the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi (UQAC, Canada), led by Professor Yann Zoldan, PhD. The workshop formed part of the research initiative Prévention et Agir, a pedagogical toolkit designed for educators across Québec.
