Opening Reception:
Saturday, October 13, 2007 – 7-9 PM
Free and open to the public.

This lively eclectic exhibition features over 80 local, regional, national and international artists working in traditional and contemporary styles to celebrate, explore and honor people, things, and ideas that have “passed on.”  Every piece of art in this show promises to be challenging, inspiring and thought provoking.

Andria Delgado

Participating Artists:
Ivonne Acero, Mirtha Aertker, Karin Michel Anderson, Chandra Armstead, Audie/Anne Bair, Mary J. Baker, Dan Barber, Sibylle Bauer, Joni Beamish, Ricann Bock, Ryan Bock, Kimberly Renelle Bradshaw, Lori Brennan, Eunice Bridges, Betty Bucher, Billy Bucher, Kristine Byars, Joyce Cail, Paul Carranza, Chris Cole, Chris Cook, Andria  Delgado, Kathleen Donovan, Katrina Doran, Lori Dudley, Dan Dudley, Brett Dyer, Maria Fermin, Jacque Forsher, Brad Foster, Merry Fuhrer, Karla Michell Garcia, Janet Ghio, Allison Gillies, April Greenlee, Clara I. Gutiérrez, Rebecca Guy, Nathon Hay, Juán J. Hernandez, Lorene Herrera, Nicole Hirsch, Sylvia Hougland, Sherry Houpt, Jeff Hukill, Alex Hulsey , Johanna Hulsey, Doug Jochum, Cindy Kelley, Francisca Lara, Anna-Marie Lopez, Eli Lorenz, Laurie Maves, Freddie McCoo, Terry McGuirt, Sandra A. Moreno, Conor Muldoon , Ken Nelson, Susan O'Neal, Lisa Orwig, Nadine Palau, Marilyn Parrish, Pat Patterson, Ida Pauken, Larry Pile, Lynda Rhodes, Travis Rice, Gail Roberts, Brenda Robson, Phil Roger, Humberto Saenz, Shawn Saumell, Kate Schatz, Paula Selzer, Erin Sims, Sharon Stevenson, Joshua Stone, Franziska Bader Strebel, Jeanne Sturdevant, Carroll Swenson-Roberts, Kamila Szczesna, Madeleine Terry, Alejandro Treviño, Jose Vargas, Tamara Villarma, John Wathne, Terri Wilder, Kathy Windrow, Sandra Lethem Yeo and Marco Zavala.

History of the Exhibition:
The Bath House’s tradition of presenting the Day of the Dead exhibition began on November 1986 when the company Teatro Dallas incorporated displays of traditional Mexican altars of the dead into a theatrical presentation titled Johnny Tenorio.  Throughout the years, the exhibitions have evolved from being primarily a collection of traditional altar installations done mostly by Dallas Hispanic artists to a much wider selection of artistic interpretations that include-- in addition to the altars -- sculpture, painting, photography and other contemporary mixed media techniques.  The last years have also seen a significant increase of non-Hispanic artists participating in this exhibition as more people embrace the Day of the Dead tradition and see the tremendous potential of the show’s theme for artistic creation.

The tradition of the Day of the Dead:
During the traditional Day of the Dead holiday, people assemble elaborate altars in their homes to commemorate those who have died, filled with objects that provided pleasure to the departed person.  Because of this warm social environment, the colorful setting, and the abundance of food, drink and good company, this holiday commemorating the dead has pleasant rather than scary or sad overtones.
According to an ancient Mexican tradition, every year the spirit of the dead come back to visit with their families.  This happens on All Saints Day (November 1) and on the Day of the Dead (November 2).  Cemeteries are cleaned and decorated with flowers and elaborate altars with offerings of food and cherished items of the deceased are built in peoples’ homes to welcome the returning spirits.  Although this tradition has its origins in Mexico, people of many cultures, races and backgrounds embrace the celebration.  Life and death are universal concepts that everyone can explore.

Enrique Fernández Cervantes, Visual Arts Coordinator and Curator of the Bath House Cultural Center and the City of Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs, curated this exhibition.