IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 10/18/05 CONTACT: Professor Gloria Maya 538-6575

Silver City-Western New Mexico University will be offering a block course titled Dia de los Muertos Non-Toxic Screen-Printing Workshop and Exhibit. Students may register for credit or audit at the Registrars office located in the Castorena Administration building on the WNMU Silver City campus.

The workshop course is offered with a one or two credit hours or audit option designated Art 480, CRN 11040 for undergraduates and Art 580, CRN 11041 for graduate credit or audit. The workshop begins Oct. 28 with a potluck and lecture, all day Saturday, Sunday and Monday through Oct.31, followed by the exhibition which will take place Nov. 2, 2005.

All enrolled students will participate in the exhibit installation with their workshop prints to commemorate this year’s Dia de Los Muertos celebration. The concept of the workshop celebrates the native, indigenous roots of Day of the Dead’s ancient practice of honoring ancestors that continues to the present century. Because the Aztec and Mayan cultural practice endured, Mexico commemorates Dia de Los Muertos as one of the most important holidays in the country. The focus of the printmaking images of this workshop will be on ancestors as they return to reconnect with their families’ and cultural environment.

The workshop’s special guest instructor, Carolynne Whitefeather, is a visiting artist and professor of Art from Utica College, New York. Ms. Whitefeather holds a master of fine arts degree from the University of Oklahoma with studies in Native American History. Carolynne Whitefeather is a pioneer in research and development of conversion of fine art serigraphy (Screenprinting) to water-based non-toxic acrylic inks and processes in conjunction with Golden Artist Colors, Inc., acrylic products.

The WNMU Expressive Arts Department’s Art program, is offering the course, which has a limit of 20 students. The workshop will be held in the McCray Art Building, Room 118 and the printmaking studio. Students currently enrolled at WNMU for twelve to sixteen credit units may add one or two additional upper division credits with no additional cost. Interested community participants may register for credit or non-credit as special students. Regular course fees apply for a total of $137.50 for one credit or $232.50 for two credits, resident or non-resident. Senior registration fees of $5 per credit unit apply plus regular course fees for a total of $47. Full time graduate registration plus fees total $99 per credit unit. Graduate non-degree credit only forms are available for graduate level special students.

Please contact Professor Maya at 505-538-6515 or mayag@wnmu.edu for further information regarding the Dia de Los Muertos workshop and exhibit.

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