Nancy Mendez

Artist Nancy Mendez draws inspiration from her Ecuadorian and Puerto Rican heritage, along with her profound love for music, nature, and mysticism. Her artwork consistently embodies a deep current of Eros, the god of love in Greek mythology, mirroring the passion that fuels her life. Mendez received a BFA in Illustration and Fine Arts from the Fashion Institute of Technology and an MA in Art Education from Lehman College. She recently contributed to two murals at the HRM as part of the exhibitions Women to the Fore and Hip Hop Heroes.

This season, Mendez has designed workshops for all ages on the power and significance of colors and patterns in clothing. Inspired by No Bodies: Clothing as Disruptor, her intergenerational public programs explore why individuals are naturally drawn to specific colors and patterns in their attire. Mendez, who has exhibited widely in Westchester and New York City, will conduct her workshops bilingually in English and Spanish.

Support of the Teaching Artist-in-Residence program is provided by Albert Lee Massimi.

Support provided by Art Bridges.

Public Workshops

Led by Teaching Artist-in-Residence Nancy Mendez

Tour of No Bodies: Clothing as Disruptor
Sunday, October 6, 2pm
No Bodies: Clothing as Disruptor unravels our presumptions of what clothing is, what stories it can carry, and the psychological weight it can hold. Through storytelling, this interactive tour led by Teaching Artist-in-Residence Nancy Mendez will connect visitors to selected works of art, delving into the messages they contain and how their creators have chosen to convey them. Recommended for ages 8+.

Cardboard Cutout Clothing Collage
Saturday, November 9, 1:30–3:30pm
Choose a cardboard clothing cutout that represents a t-shirt, pants, or a dress pattern, then decorate it with paint and clothing pattern swatches. The final designs will be mounted onto a plywood base, creating a collaborative composition that celebrates diversity and inclusivity across different cultures. Recommended for ages 12+. Conducted bilingually in English and Spanish.

Tactile Tapestries
Sunday, December 8, 1:30–3:30pm
Create a beautiful woven tapestry using denim, silk, and polyester fabric strips. Arrange your favorite textures into a unique pattern on a loom, and leave with a stunning piece perfect for hanging on your wall. Recommended for ages 12+. Conducted bilingually in English and Spanish.

The Power of Pattern
Saturday, January 11, 1:30–3:30pm
The textures and patterns of garments can carry emotional significance and evoke the memory of family members, friends, and others. Create a personal pattern by choosing from an array of fabric samples, and arrange and adhere them onto a 4×4-inch piece of muslin to form a unique design, showcasing the power of color and design to make meaning. Recommended for ages 12+. Conducted bilingually in English and Spanish.

Family Art Workshops

Led by Junior Docents

The Power of Color
Saturdays & Sundays in October & January, 12–4pm
What color are you drawn to? Do you feel a particular emotion or think of a particular memory when you see it? Design your own unique pattern on a blank canvas using vibrant paint markers, and explore how different colors resonate with you. Recommended for ages 5+.

Colorful Patterns
Saturdays & Sundays in November, 12–4pm
Decorate a patterned fabric swatch with beads and paint. Recommended for ages 5+.

Fashion Designer for a Day
Saturdays & Sundays in December, 12–4pm
Tuesday, December 23–Friday, December 27, 12–4pm
Create your own doll in this fun, hands-on workshop that uses a popsicle stick as the base, and add patterned swatches to design unique outfits inspired by your favorite colors and designs. Recommended for ages 4+.