Help Create, House and Bring Colossal Beings to the Streets!

Help Fund the Creation of This Year’s Megafauna Alebrije Puppet:

My goal for the upcoming years is to continue my large scale public works sculptures, and broaden exposure of my creative work. Last year’s Charles Rockey puppet cost 5,000 dollars in materials alone and required upwards of a thousand hours in time spent crafting the piece. The buzz generated for this project is impossible to quantify, however I was unable to monetarily break even in the making of the piece. I hope that this year's creation can usher in a new era, one in which I will find a studio space large enough to house these creatures, find a path forward in showcasing them in more frequent happenings and forge a financial path forward that is more sustainable for the long term vision.

This year I will embark on creating a megafauna alebrije puppet. As a child visiting my grandparents I loved exploring the Mexican markets, wide eyed I would pour through the treasure troves for hours, but what most captured my attention were the meticulously crafted, brightly colored, surreal spirit animals from Oaxaca. The idea of creating a megafauna alebrije puppet stems from the desire to blend my childhood memories of my ancestral home with the essence of the animals of Southern Plains who serve as teachers and to who's heart mine belongs.

This project will bring to life a spliced-together creature inspired by the majestic mountain lion, the resilient Bighorn sheep, the powerful buffalo, the elegant red-tailed hawk, the elusive rattlesnake, the playful Jackrabbit, and a myriad of other native species. I hope to have it's mighty wings sore through the crowds, it hooves dance through the street it's eyes entrance, and it's tail wag as it galavants among our realm for a spell.

The intent is to have this larger-than-life puppet enchant the crowds with its presence, creating a surreal and magical atmosphere reminiscent of the vibrant Mexican markets that sparked this creative journey. Undertaking this project marks my biggest challenge yet as an artist. However, the thrill of starting this endeavor is invigorating. While the task ahead may seem daunting, I am filled with enthusiasm to bring this dream to fruition.

Yet this is not a solo quest - it requires the collaborative effort of kind-hearted individuals passionate about fostering a realm of otherworldly whimsy. Embarking on such a large-scale project demands substantial resources, both in terms of materials and time. By pooling our resources and collective efforts, we can turn this dream into a tangible reality. Together, we can transform an artistic vision into a captivating reality and help foster an atmosphere of otherworldly whimsy and imagination.

These whimsical happenings help create community through shared memory. These projects bolster a lighthearted experience that inspires play, invites an uplifting morale, and helps foster pride for our city.

Biography:

Sofia Hernandez Crade grew up in the rural town of Divide, Colorado, a place still teeming with untamed beauty where the sound of mountain lion calls and coyote howls often sing louder than the rumble of passing cars. She attended Beloit College in Wisconsin, where she obtained a degree in Fine Art. There she received several awards for her work, including Best Thesis for her sculpture installation. She also had the privilege of working as an advocate, teaching Art Therapy to survivors of sexual assault for three years. While doing so, she was recognized with the honor of Volunteer of the Year in the city of Beloit. She worked as the Art Director at the Squash Blossom Gallery and later at the Broadmoor Galleries, where she enjoyed representing a wide range of artists and their work for several years. She enjoys working in a variety of different mediums including sculpture, oil, watercolor, and pastel. Recently she has gravitated towards multimedia projects. The mixing of materials allows her pieces to develop in unexpected ways. For Sofi, there is no better feeling than allowing oneself space to play and experiment. Sofi is proud to now be a full time studio artist since 2019 and enjoys living and creating art in the picturesque Downtown, Colorado Springs. While doing so, she has also been teaching multidisciplinary art classes to the youth of the Springs, in hopes to foster creativity in the minds of the next generation. Currently she is focused on large scale public work projects such as her most recent 24 foot puppet commemorating a beloved local artist and legend Charles Rockey, featured in the town Mardi Gras parade.

Link to Making Rockey Puppet

Website