SchoolArts Room

Celebrating the Mexican Days of the Dead

By Nancy Walkup, posted on Oct 30, 2017

Yesterday in Santa Fe we went to the Museum of International Folk Art's free Family Celebration for the Days of the Dead. I'll be presenting on this subject with Susan Waddington this coming weekend in Galveston for the Texas Art Education Association Conference (3:00 on Saturday). If you would like to learn more about this most important celebration in Mexico, held on November 1 and 2, there is an article here that I wrote you are welcome to share with principals, other teachers, students and families. For now, I just wanted to post some photos from yesterday's celebration

 


There were three big ofrendas set up; each different. Ofrendas are set up in homes, schools, and businesses to honor loved ones who have died.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Favorite foods of the deceased may be placed on the ofrenda, such as these black beans surrounded with marigolds, the traditional flower of Day of the Dead.

 

 

 


Special orange-flavored sweet breads are baked in the shapes of bones and skulls. These were served at MOIFA as part of the celebration.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here people are lining up to decorate sugar skulls with icing and sequins.

 

 


Artist Luis Tapia built and painted this amazing ofrenda. It will auctioned off at a gala on the weekend. Everything you see here is made out of wood and painted.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tamales made from wood.

 

 

 

 

 

 

There was music.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Papel picado banners added to the ambiance.

 

 

 

 

Printmaking was an activity offered. People of all ages participated in all the activities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sugar skulls were provided to decorate.

 

 

 

 

Foam board was used to make prints that could be stamped on a big tree.

 

 

 

 

 A retablo of a weaver's shop.

 

 

 

 

Lots of paper mache.

 

 

 

 

And toys.