Sketching The Past: Puerco Crossroads

Instructor: Kathleen Mendes

From the vast expanse of Painted Desert to the smallest crystalline fragment of petrified wood, find your inspiration in this ancient landscape. Experience the therapeutic outlet in capturing the natural serenity of the high desert in pencil. Guided line drawing exercises combined with independent art experiences will allow students to focus on subjects that invoke an emotional response and release, stirring the creative mind within the ancient surroundings of the Petrified Forest.

Students will meet at 9:00 AM at the main visitor center on the north end of the park (Interstate 40, exit 311) to check in. Following the instructor, you will park at Puerco Pueblo and take a short walk across the road to an interesting spot along an access road lined with petroglyphs. We’ll find our inspiration among the remnants of overlapping ancient and modern occupation. The workshop will wrap up around 1:00 PM, leaving students free to explore the rest of the park until closing or continue to capture the ethereal beauty of the park in their compositions.

At its largest size, around 1300, Puerco Pueblo may have been home to about 200 people. The one-story high village of hand-shaped sandstone blocks was built around a rectangular plaza. The rooms were living quarters and storage, but most activity, like cooking and craftmaking, took place in the plaza. There were also several underground rooms, called kivas, where ceremonial practices took place.

Schedule

• Meeting time: 9:00 AM
• Class will be over by 1:00 PM

Cost:

• $59 – Non-Member
• $49 – Member
• Includes entrance fee

Registration Form

Class Notes

• This is an outdoor drawing event, weather permitting.
• Bring your pencil and pad, sun protection, chair, shade umbrella, hat, snacks and plenty of water in a light day pack.
• Minimum age 10
• Maximum number of participants 12.