Mola- Central America

This bright and colorful lesson uses deceptively few supplies to yield such a vibrant result. Based on the colorful geometric designed molas of Panamá, students will create their own unique design by choosing a simple animal to draw, then adding in smaller shapes and designs. They can plan their design on the included pre-planning worksheet. The real fun in this lesson is the process of using glue to make outlines and filling the spaces in with rich, vibrant chalk pastel colors. 
ABOUT MOLAS MOLAS are a textile art form created by the indigenous Guna people from PANAMA in Central America. The word mola in their native language means “shirt” or “clothing”, but actually originated as body painting in geometric designs using natural dyes. Molas are now woven in cotton or sewn into fabric as an appliqué and most often worn as a panel on a shirt. They typically feature bright colors and many still retain the traditional geometric patterns, though some designs feature animals, plants or even people and can also be abstracted.