ABOUT THE EXHIBITION

This exhibition features an impressive collection of handmade brooms and brushes created by El Zaguán resident artist Julia Tait Dickenson. The unique pieces included in this exhibition stem from her passion for collecting, finding, and creating. Julia explains, "Brooms, brushes, and sweeping are a part of our collective domestic history, and I create my pieces as part of that tradition. I find joy in discovering interesting and discarded objects, and I love exploring new ways to create brooms and brushes. This year, in particular, I’ve been inspired by the phrase Sweeping Change."

Visitors to "The Broom Room" will experience a unique blend of functionality and artistic innovation. While Dickenson maintains a keen eye for everyday use, she enjoys venturing into more abstract designs for this exhibition, pushing the boundaries of traditional broom and brush forms. "While I always keep functionality in mind, this show also offers an opportunity to experiment with abstract concepts, elevating the ordinary, and leading to the creation of unexpected broom structures," Julia notes.

The exhibition will showcase pieces that are both recognizable in their original essence and strikingly transformed into something entirely new. "My goal is to capture and preserve the essence of the original use of each object while transforming it into something completely different," says Julia.

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP

In this workshop, you will spend three hours creating two different types of small brushes. The first brush will have a paintbrush-style design, made with horsehair and dried cholla. The second will be a small Tampico brush that is wrapped and sewn. All materials will be provided, and if time permits, participants can create multiple Tampico brushes.

Additionally, you will receive a private tour of the Broom Room exhibit with artist Julia Tait Dickenson. This will give you the opportunity to explore how the techniques used in the workshop are reflected in the pieces displayed in the gallery. As a resident of El Zaguan, Julia is also happy to offer a tour of her on-site studio to anyone interested.