It’s Your Turn: Frida Kahlo & Diego Rivera

When Frida Kahlo began teaching art in 1943, she quickly attracted a small group of devoted students who were inspired by her personality and unique teaching style. When her physical condition kept her from traveling to the art school to teach, Frida held her classes at her home, La Casa Azul. She also took her students out into the nearby streets and markets of Mexico City to paint. Instead of simply dictating to her students, she guided them with verbal instruction as they worked, which allowed them to develop their individual artistic identities. As Frida’s life and experiences had been the inspiration for her work, she encouraged her students to call upon their own experiences, and they loved her for it. This devoted group of students was called Los Fridos.

Allow yourself to become one of Los Fridos now as you explore the activities in this gallery. Write a letter or poem to Frida and Diego, or color, cut out and play with a vintage-inspired Frida paper doll! Play and roam around the museum in an animal mask! Pretend you are in Frida’s kitchen at La Casa Azul and prepare one of the fun recipes that Frida would have made there, or just sit and relax with a book and learn more about the life and art of Frida and Diego.

Finally, as one of Los Fridos, you are invited to create a sunflower and plant a wish or promise along with it. In their art and in their lives, Diego and Frida were activists on behalf of the poor and disenfranchised, especially Mexico’s Indigenous peoples and their civil rights. What promises and wishes can you make for a better tomorrow? Be sure to take your sunflower home to remind you of the exhibit, Frida and Diego and their activism!