Mola art is a textile art form made by the Kuna Indians of Panama. It involves sewing together overlapping layers of fabric with geometric designs. The designs can take over 100 hours to complete and represent Kuna identity and artistic expression. While traditionally featuring native animals and plants, some modern Molas are inspired by pop culture. The document then provides instructions for making a paper Mola, including drawing and cutting out layers of an animal shape and adding details and background patterns.

1. Paper Mola Art
Hispanic Heritage Month

2. • Mola is a textile art form made in the San Blas region
of Panama by the Kuna Indians and are made using a
very complex technique that consists of overlapping
layers of fabric sewn together.
• The term Mola means “clothing” or “shirt” and is also a
part of the dress that identifies Kuna women.

3. • A long time ago Kuna women painted their bodies
with geometrical designs using natural colors from plants
and minerals.
• After the Kuna’s territory was colonized by the Spanish,
these same designs were woven in cotton or painted on the
fabric. The sources for traditional design inspiration for
Molas include native animals, plants and geometric shapes.

4. • The designs can take up to 100 hours to complete and
is a source of status, and a display of artistic
expression and ethnic identity.
• Today's Molas are still made in the traditional designs,
but due to the development of tourism some of the
newer Molas are inspired by pop culture, comic book
characters and advertising.

5. MATERIALS:
• 4-5 sheets of different colored Paper
• Scissors
• Glue
• Drawing Pencils
Step 1: Start by choosing an animal
(bird, fish, insect, ect.) as your main
shape. It should be a simple
silhouette that you can draw
yourself.
Let’s create your own Mola!

6. Step 2: Draw, Cut, Glue. Repeat.
Next you will draw your animal on the first
sheet of colored paper you choose. Then you
will cut out the animal, and place it on to the
second sheet of colored paper. Using your pencil,
draw a ¼” border around your animal and cut it
out.

7. Repeat this step one more time on the 3rd sheet
of paper using the 2nd cut out as your stencil.
Once you have all three layers cut out you will
start gluing them one on top of the other. You
will then glue your animal down to the main
background sheet of colored paper.

8. Step 3: Animal Details and Background Pattern
You can now begin adding details to your animal
and background with your colored paper. Apply the
same layering technique you did with your animal
shape to create. Also use the scrap pieces of paper
to cut out patterns and fill in your animal and
background.
I can’t wait to see what your finished Mola
looks like!!