IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  10-31-06  CONTACT:  GLORIA MAYA

SILVER CITY—The Western New Mexico University art program and the Department of Expressive Arts cordially invite the public to attend the “21st Annual Dia De Los Muertos-Day of the Dead Celebration” with featured Artist Goldie Garcia from Albuquerque, N.M. Ms. Garcia’s creative work is reflected in this year’s exhibit titled “Muertos De Risa-Laughing Bones.” Workshop student artist’s will exhibit the beautiful art shrines and will perform stand-up comedy during the potluck dinner on Thursday, Nov. 2, 4:30-8 p.m. in the McCray Gallery on the WNMU campus.  The Greeting Ritual is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. followed by the traditional Mexican Potluck Dinner at 6 p.m. entertained by featured singer, Jessica Juarez, and stand-up student comedy routines.

Featured ofrendas (shrines) by Goldie Garcia, workshop guest artist, and workshop artists: Mathew Baska, Tiffany Bass, Sam Brown, Joshua Ray Calvert, Jamie Fisher, Luis Martinez, Gloria Maya, Marissa Molano, David Nelson, Eddie Rodriguez, Leilani Samorano, Jessica Salas, and Maurice Shortt.  “Noche De Las Estrellas” ofrenda by Dolores Contreras & her Spanish class students assisted by Iris D. Chavez, , Silver High School. Ofrendas by Judith Meyer’s painting and art appreciation students will also be featured. Other ofrendas include “Cobre Class of 1976” and an ofrenda to her father, Susano G. Dominguez by Maria C. Dominguez;  an ofrenda by Cornelia Padilla Ortiz; WNMU alumna honoring her parents Guadalupe Sedillos and David Vallejos Padilla and her husband’s parents Rita Sandoval Ortiz and Pablo B. Ortiz, and an ofrenda by Guadalupe Cano honoring her father with an ofrenda on cancer.

November 2nd is the most important celebration of this continent since ancient practices because it is set aside to greet the annual return of souls. Returning souls are greeted with an Ofrenda or Offering of their favorite foods, drink, sweets, Pan de Muertos and this year a Wall of comical Calaveras, an interactive wall where names of the remembered and good times with them are written in a four line comical poem and/or combined with a Calavera (skeleton) drawing. An example of a Calavera is the following poem:
Estaba Hector dormido
cuando llego la calaca               
y dijo “papacito”
vente con esta flaca

Sponsored by Expressive Arts Department, Office of Multicultural Affairs/Student Activities
 
Contact: Professor Maya for additional information, mayag@wnmu.edu, 538-6515

 

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