Day of the Dead altar coming to life
A colorful Day of the Dead altar is taking shape outside of the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art this month as community members add personal effects, tributes and photographs. The artistic spin on Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) culminates with an October 31 gathering at the museum.
“Our current exhibition, “Visions of Paradise: Art and the Power of Faith,” is a wonderful tie-in with this important traditional Mexican observance,” said Margie Maynard, the museum’s director of education and public programs. “We’re building on that by giving people of all faiths and non-faiths an opportunity to learn more about it and take part in some of its traditions.”
The theme is “Recuerde Siempre: Always Remember.” For Dia de Los Muertos in Mexico, altars are often erected by community members for those spirits who have no living relatives to build an altar for them.
In keeping with this tradition, SVMA built a colorful frame in front of the Museum’s façade on Broadway. “The community is invited to partake in decorating this altar and bringing their own personal offerings in remembrance of a loved one.” Maynard said.
The evolving altar design at 551 Broadway will be guided by a series of suggestions from museum staff. The museum has been issuing “challenges” or invitations to the community — via its website, Facebook page and Twitter — to bring a new offering in response to the latest themed request.
A new challenge will be issued every few days, Maynard said, and will include offerings such as hand-made flowers, a photograph or portrait, a poem about life and death, and similar contributions. Accompanying each challenge will be a brief explanation of the origin or meaning associated with each offering.
On October 23 and 30, SVMA will host two family Dia de los Muertos art workshops from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with artist and educator Zoe Harris. Harris will lead activities that relate to the tradition of Dia de los Muertos and to the specific offerings for the Museum’s altar.
At the end of the afternoon on October 31, guests at the Museum are invited to proceed to the Sonoma Community Center to continue the festivities.
Alter making workshop
Instructor Katie Morris will lead a two-day Dia de los Muertos workshop this weekend: how to make candelabras and altars in the style of traditional Mexican folk art, with a contemporary twist. The 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. sessions on Octiber 23 and 24 will be held at the Sonoma Community Center.
Participants (16 and older) will be free to create works in loving memory, or just for fun, using their own found objects—old photos, magazines, wire, fabric, etc., to embellish the art work. The fee is $150, or $135 for SCC members. Find out more at sonomacommunitycenter.org
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