Milagros de Corazón: Wings of Hope in Tin and Paper
Curated by instructor Veronica Olivares
This exhibition features work from ACP’s long-running after-school program, presented in partnership with the YMCA for over 20 years. Olivares, the program’s instructor, brings together a vibrant display of student work reflecting growth, creativity, and community.
Milagros de Corazón is a heartfelt celebration of tradition, imagination, and student creativity. This collection features handmade milagros, symbolic hearts crafted in the rich Mexican folk art styles of hojalata (embossed tin) and papier-mâché.
At the center of the exhibition are milagro hearts with wings, each one representing dreams in flight, hopes carried forward, and the spirit of transformation. Students explored both form and meaning as they shaped their hearts, embossed tin accents, and added color and texture to bring their unique visions to life.
Rooted in the tradition of devotional folk art and reimagined by young artists, these works are offerings of gratitude, wishes, healing, and love. Together, they form a vibrant tapestry of personal and cultural expression, each heart a small miracle with wings.
About Princeton Young Achievers
The Arts Council provides neighborhood children enrolled in the Princeton Young Achievers program with 34 weeks of free, professionally-led arts instruction during our Creative Fridays sessions.
Creative Fridays include projects in ceramics, painting and other visual arts, performing arts and drama, poetry, music, and dance. Bilingual instruction encourages children to further develop language skills and ultimately improve performance in school.