Annual Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)Events
Thursday, October 29, 2009, starting at 6:30 p.m. in the museum

As in past years, the annual Day of the Dead observance event will include a presentation on the Mexican tradition of annually constructing in the home or at the cemetery a memorial altar (ofrenda) for deceased family members as part of the observance of the eve of the Catholic fest days of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day, a discussion on the ofrenda constructed in the museum by a guest visual artist, along with performances of traditional Mexican music and dance, and refreshments.

The festivities are co-sponsored by the Institute for Latino Studies and the Snite Museum of Art, with support from the Kellogg Institute for International Studies, Campus Ministry, and Multicultural Student Programs and Services.

Below are scenes from the 2008 event.

Con Ganas (With Heart)
by Marielena Castro
A Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) Installation
October 30--November 29,2009

California artist Marielena Castro will create the ninth annual Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) ofrenda (memorial altar). The installation will honor the artists' deceased father, a craftsman whose notable creations included the carnival floats paraded in the streets during the Semana Santa (Holy Week) in Mexico. Recalling her father, Marielena said, "He would fix everything with wire. He was born in the United States, raised in Mexico, was proud of being Mexican and American, but, because of his upbringing, was the epitome of a "Mexican man". He loved words. He loved learning. He loved creating." In the gallery instatallation Castro will blend symbols of her father's attributes with traditional ofrenda elements offered in memory of relatives during the annual early-November All Souls Day celebration.

The artist will speak on Thursday, October 29 at 6:30 p.m. in the Annenberg Auditorium of the Snite Museum.